Officiating in the NBA

[Geddy]

It doesn't help that Devin it has become a biased super homer who thinks every non call or call is horrible. It's untolerable when you are actually trying to watch a game.

Matt and Jack started whining about every call since the start of last season and they seem to be getting worse as time goes by. It is having an effect on fans that watch the game since many of them believe what they say without waiting for the replay or viewing the call without bias. I remember when Raptors fans used to hate Tommy Heinsohn for being the same way and now we have some homer announcers of our own.

Watching out of town feeds has become a lot more tolerable as of late.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

How does Ed Malloy, who league had to apologize for last year when he didn't blow the whistle on an obvious foul in Charlotte, get chosen as the lead official for game 1?

[Dr Comeback]

I'm not sure what was said, but I'll chime in with the Donaghy/NBA situation. Obviously, you can't completely trust a man who got involved in gambling operations as a referee. But I believe the NBA used him as a scapegoat, and tried to direct all the negative attention for NBA referees towards him. Things that he's said in interview or in his books still ring true today if you pay attention to how the game is officiated.

If I was a gambler, I would definitely take Donaghy's tips, as he knows how refs act or are told to act.

Well then quite frankly you would be an idiot.

Tim Donaghy is a pathological liar, everything he says is about making money and promoting his tout business. believing him because your team lost is foolish.


Till this day he REFUSES to admit that he made calls to influence games in his favor.


He wants you and I to believe that at great personal and career risk, he got involved with organized crime members, he gave them picks on games that HE PERSONALLY REFFED for which he was payed 5000 per correct pick and he never once made call to influence based on a bet? What, why? Your neck is already on the line, you really going to allow yourself to loose a bet when you can just fix it right there.? Strains crudity.

Never mind that there are videos of him throwing out crucial players in like the second quarter, making ridiculous foul calls and the end of games.

If you want more background on it suggest you read basketball Bob Volgaris http://aloneinthecorner.com/post/687025 ... are-moving

he's a liar, he lies to this day, he will say anything to get you to pay attention to him.


I mean he just said the raptors didn't have the crowd to unfluence the game, meanwhile steve kerr, every other NBA guy talking about how great the crwod is.

HE IS MAKING THIS UP AS HE GOES ALONG.


Don't believe this bull, the game maybe poorly reffed, but it isn't some conspiracy.

[andyo]

The main issue with reffing is not that the last game was called unfairly. it's just a culmination of reffing issues with this team. I don't think the game was particularly decided by reffing, although it had the potential to- just based on momentum/flow and the impact ticky-tack calls/non-calls can have on those- which mean more them absolute free throw totals etc.

People might have the expectation that we should get favourable calls at home, which shouldn't be the case and rightfully so. The problem is, we have developed an expectation that we can be certain we won't get **** on the road. In fact, the expectation, at this point, is we're going to have to fight an uphill battle against the refs AND the nets. That's the main issue. As a generalization, we pretty much get nothing at home (when the game is meaningful for both teams on the court) but have gotten consistently screwed on the road (when the game is meaningful for both teams on the court). I think the issue has gone beyond some Raptor fan vs the world mentality but even trying my best to be objective, there is definitely an inherent bias against the Raptors that exists in the context of NBA refereeing. The reason? I'm not sure why and is subject to speculation.

[jstock2014]

You guys complain about the officials too much. The Raptors got tons of calls especially at the beginning of the game that kept them in the game. 2 technical foul calls on the Nets that could have easily shifted the momentum towards the Raptors. Lots of touch fouls on Plumlee that put Plumlee in foul trouble, that made the Nets play Blatche a lot more which they didn't want to do, since his defense is not as good as Plumlee.

This game was not poorly officiated. The Houston game was poorly officiated, looks like the refs really were trying to give Houston that game and Portland still prevailed. If anybody had a gripe it would be Portland, not the Raptors. And Portland still found a way to win, and that was on the road in a hostile environment. At the end of the day, you have to win the game. Can't just sit and complain about the officials every game.

If the Raptors would have won the game, then you guys wouldn't be complaining about the officials. People only complain about officials when they lose the game. You can complain all day til your blue in the face, at the end of the day it's a 7 game series. If you can't win in a 7 game series, then your not the better team. That's why it's a series and not a 1 game deal.

[Tacoma]

Listen, there were a lot of games this year where the Raptors were completely jobbed. This game wasn't one of those games.

Here's the analogy I like to use.

A team requires a set of conditions to allow them to get a win - it's like having good soil into which you plant your effort, lineups, play calling etc.

The way that refs call a game - particularly down the stretch - greatly impacts the conditions available to you.

Having no fouls called against you in the 4th quarter? Well guess what, now you have a Toronto team that has been turning the ball over and taking tough shots all game, and now you get to ratchet up your defense - hand checking, bumping in the lane, pushing rebounders on loose balls (KG on Jonas) - and seal up the win.

You can't tell me that the refs didn't help the Nets down the stretch with the way they were calling the game. The created the best possible conditions for them to close out the game given how they had been playing all game long.

Here's another analogy.

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

Ok. So Donaghy was the only one, and none of the other refs on his crew knew what was up or thought anything was weird. Also, there was something like hundreds of his texts to Scott Foster, that coincided with bets and games. I don't think the league was ever interested in really looking at it. As far as I can tell from Ref supervisors on down, only Donaghy ever got canned. Seems to me NBA had no interest in learning from Tim if he had any help, and only wanted to make him a one off rogue. I'm not sure he could have gotten away with it as long, if that was the case.

The shear fact that superstar calls are a thing, is proof reffing is not on the up and up.

[Patman]

Ok. So Donaghy was the only one, and none of the other refs on his crew knew what was up or thought anything was weird. Also, there was something like hundreds of his texts to Scott Foster, that coincided with bets and games. I don't think the league was ever interested in really looking at it. As far as I can tell from Ref supervisors on down, only Donaghy ever got canned. Seems to me NBA had no interest in learning from Tim if he had any help, and only wanted to make him a one off rogue. I'm not sure he could have gotten away with it as long, if that was the case.

The shear fact that superstar calls are a thing, is proof reffing is not on the up and up.

This. I'm saying other refs were definitely involved, but I'm just looking at what's more plausible. What's more plausible is that he probably had help, or at least there were other refs that knew and turned a blind eye to what he was doing.

It was also in the NBA's best interest to keep it as contained as possible. There was no way they were going to implicate more referees, unless higher up (the government, law enforcement) went over the NBA's heads.

[RaptorJ]

It doesn't help that Devin it has become a biased super homer who thinks every non call or call is horrible. It's untolerable when you are actually trying to watch a game.

Matt and Jack started whining about every call since the start of last season and they seem to be getting worse as time goes by. It is having an effect on fans that watch the game since many of them believe what they say without waiting for the replay or viewing the call without bias. I remember when Raptors fans used to hate Tommy Heinsohn for being the same way and now we have some homer announcers of our own.

Watching out of town feeds has become a lot more tolerable as of late.

Bashing the refs for not calling a single foul on the Nets in the 4th is valid and legitimate criticism. I'm glad our braodcasters are willing to do so.

[KnickerBonkerz]

I don't think Jack's that bad, when he criticizes a call most of the time he does it respectably, like "I don't agree with that foul, but it's such a bang bang play that it's hard for the official" or "There could've been 3 fouls there, but they're lettin em play, gotta love it!"

It's Devlin who is the annoying one because he's always indirectly criticizing the officiating with "Dwane Casey is furious!" *looks at Dwane Casey sitting on bench calmly*. "CONTACT. NO CALL." It's like alright I think we know when the ref blows the whistle you don't need to tell us.

[Buyaka]

Wow..Jeff Blair is going off now..I can't believe they're talking about this on 590

I was suprised as well. Honestly though I think he did it with a purpose. Puts pressure on the league when you are talking about it on game day and making a big deal of it. If you are calling them out on it do they still go through with it? Thats what I think he did it for anyways...

Agree. I also don't think that Zebras decided the last game. yes, some blown calls for on both teams. Perhaps, more momentum killing ones for Raptors.

I think Blair and Donaghy were sending a message to the Raptor fanbase. More "bull" chants needed to mitigate Zebra corruption. 2 days in a row, the Toronto media complaining about and highlighting Zebra activity possibly influenced by NBA League office. Coincidence? I think not. This is a calibrated effort by MLSE (ownership who also benefits from TV content / revenue). I am sure Adam Silver got an earful in private as well. It's about time. BTW, expect lopsided calls in favour of Toronto tonight.

[Truthrising]

I have a good feeling refs will be favouring calls on our end today but overall we'll most definitely lost the series and it's the refs job to make that happen..a Nets vs Heat matchup would just bring in more revenue for the league as compared to the Raps vs Heat game.

[martypython]

LOL great job on the part of the fan590 to sell basketball to the puckheads. *sigh*

Dirty little secret on talk show radio. You can burn an entire hour just talking Leafs and opening up the phone lines.

[Dr Comeback]

Ok. So Donaghy was the only one, and none of the other refs on his crew knew what was up or thought anything was weird. Also, there was something like hundreds of his texts to Scott Foster, that coincided with bets and games. I don't think the league was ever interested in really looking at it. As far as I can tell from Ref supervisors on down, only Donaghy ever got canned. Seems to me NBA had no interest in learning from Tim if he had any help, and only wanted to make him a one off rogue. I'm not sure he could have gotten away with it as long, if that was the case.

The shear fact that superstar calls are a thing, is proof reffing is not on the up and up.

This. I'm saying other refs were definitely involved, but I'm just looking at what's more plausible. What's more plausible is that he probably had help, or at least there were other refs that knew and turned a blind eye to what he was doing.

It was also in the NBA's best interest to keep it as contained as possible. There was no way they were going to implicate more referees, unless higher up (the government, law enforcement) went over the NBA's heads.

Harlabous an NBA better tracks referee performance and Tim Donghy was really the only one with these type of drastic ratios.

example


I have mentioned in previous posts how some of Tim Donaghy’s alleged betting methods were debunked over at True Hoop.

One of the games that Donaghy and his crew bet was a February 26th 2007 game withMIA @ NYK.

In his book Donaghy explains why he decided to bet on NYK -3

Madison Square Garden was the place to be for a marquee matchup between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks. I worked the game with Derrick Stafford and Gary Zielinski, knowing that the Knicks were a sure bet to get favorable treatment that night. Derrick Stafford had a close relationship with Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, and he despised Heat coach Pat Riley. I picked the Knicks without batting an eye and settled in for a roller-coaster ride on the court.

He goes on to write later in the book about this same game;

I worked a Knicks game in MSG with him on Feb 26, 2007. New York shot an astounding 39 free throws to Miami’s paltry eight. It seemed like Stafford was working for the Knicks, calling fouls on Miami like crazy. (page 109).

I went ahead and charted each call in this game to see if Donaghy’s claims were accurate, here are the results.

Derrick Stafford 16 total calls

9 calls favoring NYK

7 calls favoring MIA

Gary Zielinksi 6 total calls

3 favoring NYK

3 favoring MIA

Tim Donaghy 18 total calls

14 calls favoring NYK

4 Calls favoring MIA

This specific game is rather endemic of the whole Donaghy scandal - Not only did Stafford not call fouls like “crazy” in this game - but the one who actually did exhibit a clear tendency to favor one team over the other was Tim Donaghy himself.



NBA referring is a cushy job, only an idiot would give that up and get involved with organized crime type for 5000 bucks a play.

[Patman]

Just to add, I'm not saying there is anything coming from the NBA that says to screw over the Raps in particular.

[lucasc]

So what did donaghy actually say?

I just wanted to log in to ask, did anybody listen to the Tim Donaghy section? And can anybody provide a recap please? Thank you.

[Patman]

Ok. So Donaghy was the only one, and none of the other refs on his crew knew what was up or thought anything was weird. Also, there was something like hundreds of his texts to Scott Foster, that coincided with bets and games. I don't think the league was ever interested in really looking at it. As far as I can tell from Ref supervisors on down, only Donaghy ever got canned. Seems to me NBA had no interest in learning from Tim if he had any help, and only wanted to make him a one off rogue. I'm not sure he could have gotten away with it as long, if that was the case.

The shear fact that superstar calls are a thing, is proof reffing is not on the up and up.

This. I'm saying other refs were definitely involved, but I'm just looking at what's more plausible. What's more plausible is that he probably had help, or at least there were other refs that knew and turned a blind eye to what he was doing.

It was also in the NBA's best interest to keep it as contained as possible. There was no way they were going to implicate more referees, unless higher up (the government, law enforcement) went over the NBA's heads.

Harlabous an NBA better tracks referee performance and Tim Donghy was really the only one with these type of drastic ratios.

example


I have mentioned in previous posts how some of Tim Donaghy’s alleged betting methods were debunked over at True Hoop.

One of the games that Donaghy and his crew bet was a February 26th 2007 game withMIA @ NYK.

In his book Donaghy explains why he decided to bet on NYK -3

Madison Square Garden was the place to be for a marquee matchup between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks. I worked the game with Derrick Stafford and Gary Zielinski, knowing that the Knicks were a sure bet to get favorable treatment that night. Derrick Stafford had a close relationship with Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, and he despised Heat coach Pat Riley. I picked the Knicks without batting an eye and settled in for a roller-coaster ride on the court.

He goes on to write later in the book about this same game;

I worked a Knicks game in MSG with him on Feb 26, 2007. New York shot an astounding 39 free throws to Miami’s paltry eight. It seemed like Stafford was working for the Knicks, calling fouls on Miami like crazy. (page 109).

I went ahead and charted each call in this game to see if Donaghy’s claims were accurate, here are the results.

Derrick Stafford 16 total calls

9 calls favoring NYK

7 calls favoring MIA

Gary Zielinksi 6 total calls

3 favoring NYK

3 favoring MIA

Tim Donaghy 18 total calls

14 calls favoring NYK

4 Calls favoring MIA

This specific game is rather endemic of the whole Donaghy scandal - Not only did Stafford not call fouls like “crazy” in this game - but the one who actually did exhibit a clear tendency to favor one team over the other was Tim Donaghy himself.



NBA referring is a cushy job, only an idiot would give that up and get involved with organized crime type for 5000 bucks a play.

Whoa, I was literally just reading about Haralabos Voulgaris. I vaguely remembered a millionaire bettor commenting about it, so I Googled around. Anyway, here is the most interesting article I found:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... hy-scandal

[JN]

It doesn't help that Devin it has become a biased super homer who thinks every non call or call is horrible. It's untolerable when you are actually trying to watch a game.

Matt and Jack started whining about every call since the start of last season and they seem to be getting worse as time goes by. It is having an effect on fans that watch the game since many of them believe what they say without waiting for the replay or viewing the call without bias. I remember when Raptors fans used to hate Tommy Heinsohn for being the same way and now we have some homer announcers of our own.

Watching out of town feeds has b. ecome a lot more tolerable as of late.

Bashing the refs for not calling a single foul on the Nets in the 4th is valid and legitimate criticism. I'm glad our braodcasters are willing to do so.

I guess like Matt Devin you forgot the crucial offensive foul to deron Williams with 4:12 left to go in the game. Devin was whining about the "0" fouls when the foul calls in the 4th were a whopping 2 to 1 in favour of the Nets.

You are really doing a disservice to your own intelligence if you rely on Devlin to make assess

[Patman]

Yes, I think anybody who illegally gambles is definitely a higher form of liar. I'm not disputing this, Tim fixed games and is a liar. And yes, a lot of what he says is sensationalism to keep relevancy and to sell his book. But like any skilled liar, he mixes truths with fallacies. I'm not absolving Tim of anything, I just don't think the NBA should be let off the hook for their handling of Tim's crimes and how they handle officiating as a whole. Is Tim looking out for his own interest? Yes. Is the NBA also looking out for their own interest? I think so.

From the article:

Voulgaris explains his understanding of the Donaghy affair to this point:

You have said that the Tim Donaghy scandal shook your confidence a little bit in the integrity of the NBA. How so?
The Donaghy scandal basically made me question whether or not I wanted to continue betting the sport.

For one, after the details emerged I have heard from several people who knew about the games while this was going on.

Towards the end of Donaghy's last season I guess the information was getting passed around quite a bit. I have always insulated myself from discussing the sport with other gamblers, I pretty much go about my work, keep it to myself, and bet the sport, so I was not privy to this information.

I also try to avoid all the "it's fixed" conspiracy talk because its counter-productive to actually handicapping the games. When the news broke, though, I spent an unhealthy amount of time poring over old games Donaghy reffed and seeing how I was affected.

It was rather disturbing and it kind of turned me off to betting.

It made me question whether or not I wanted to continue betting the sport, in fact I am at a point now where I'd actually prefer to work in the sport in some other way rather than betting on it, but I'd have to find a job that paid me as much (or nearly) to make it worth my time and I am not sure if those types of opportunities are available.

What do you think about how the NBA has handled the Tim Donaghy investigation?
From a league perspective they have done a great job sweeping this scandal under the rug, and downplaying it.

I keep on reading how Donaghy "provided information" as though this was the crux of the scandal.

The guy fixed games. He didn't "provide information" he bet on games he was working, and made calls to insure he would win those bets. It's pretty basic stuff but the NBA has somehow turned the focus of the whole investigation away from this and instead focused on the "inside information" angle.

I understand what the league is trying to do, I think in this instance the truth doesn't jibe with the league's best interest. In that respect the League and the Commissioner have done a great job of downplaying the scandal.

[neurotik]

People need to stop blaming the refs for the game 1 loss and start blaming the team. In fact the board did this too often during the regular season.

Blaming the refs is a cop out and directs responsibility away from the players and coaches. It's like people think that we're the only team that gets calls that we disagree with. I admit there are instances where a call or two has made a big difference, but not most games, and not in game 1.

If the Raps came to game 1 prepared and confident and played like they did during most of the season, they would have had a much better chance of winning. But, when most of the team is shook and doesn't show up, then they can't blame anyone but themselves.