by DRJ
With the single exception of Cavs game 3, the referees have been calling
the Celtics' playoff games reasonably fairly. Oh, they make mistakes
and always will, but on balance, there has been no evident bias (except
that one time). Those of us who have suffered in the NBA long enough
recognize how unusual this is. Why is it happening? Here's a 2-part
theory.
Part 1:
Every large enterprise today is online, obviously. They all read what
their customers say about them, most especially on blogs and social
networking sites. The NBA is no exception. After every game where the
refs appeared to be biased – and especially after the Celtics-Cavs game 3
– many fans complained bitterly about the refereeing. I personally
accused them of clear and obvious bias, at least in that first quarter.
And I said that if I got the impression that the referees stole a series
from the Celtics, I would abandon the NBA forever. Much as it
would pain me to leave my Cs, I meant it. I also said then that though
the NBA couldn't possibly care what one individual does – it will care
very much when that person is multiplied by tens of thousands of other
disgusted fans.
I think these feelings were duplicated in various places on the Web. And
the NBA saw it. And the league by now must realize the obvious truth of
this matter: there is nothing the refs can do to steal a game that
we fans will not see. We all have DVRs, we have slow-motion replays,
and NOTHING ESCAPES US.
Altogether then, this theory holds that the NBA was led to instruct
their referees to call every game as fairly as possible as a result, at
least in part, of the complaints raised by fans. 'No screwing around
anymore,' they told the refs. Not when every playoff game (particularly
in these final stages) is being broadcast across the nation and around
the world. Too risky.
And so we have had, except for that one Cavs game, a run of fairly
officiated games. We must not underestimate the value of that. Besides
completely changing the experience of watching a game from excruciating
to enjoyable (yes, REGARDLESS of outcome), it is absolutely VITAL for
the Celtics, in particular, to play in fairly officiated games –
because the Cs’ brand of basketball makes them exquisitely sensitive to
referee misconduct. (That's caused by the Cs’ reliance on hard-nosed
defense. If/when the refs start calling BS ticky-tack fouls, the Cs
often very quickly lose their way.)
Part 2:
The Cs have, beginning with Cavs game 2, decided to foul early and hard
rather than allow easy baskets. As pointed out in a prior article (April
5), one of this strategy's several advantages is that it can help
control the refs’ tendency to start calling ticky-tack fouls during the
game, because the Cs are committing HARD fouls – early and brazenly – so
there's no opening for the refs to “set a tone” in the game: the Cs
have already set it.
What can we learn from this? We cannot help the Cs with Part 2; that's
their job. But we can with Part 1. If it should ever happen again that
the refs are clearly biased in a game, we must NEVER HESITATE to call
them out on it. Openly, and loudly. The message will not go
unnoticed. (And even if you believe it might – so what? We have much to
gain and NOTHING to lose by telling the truth as we see it.)
The biggest mistake we can make is to keep quiet and “take it like men”
because "that's the way the game is played." Real men (and women) don't
accept abuse quietly. We must ALWAYS fight back as best we can – and the
best tool we have to fight with is the Internet. And free speech. Just tell
the truth. (As we all know, our team can't do this without getting
fined by the league.) Do Not Exaggerate… but also, do not gloss over
or make excuses. Just tell it like you see it. In that way, we do our
bit to keep these games fair.
And that's all the Celtics need. Give them a fair shot…. and get out
of their way. Because they have no intention of stopping before they win
it all this year.
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