Bucks @ Suns Tuesday Finals game thread 7-6-2021 - Game 1

Cheesebeef · Jul 5, 2021

Mainstreet said:
Look at the referee assignment for the Finals. What was that number anyway... 11, 12?

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does this mean Foster might be refereeing more than one Finals game?

dscher · Jul 5, 2021

Mainstreet said:
By Kent Somers Arizona Republic:

Suns guard Chris Paul wasn't asked about the officiating in a brief press conference after Thursday night's loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of their playoff series.

But he commented anyway, at least in a roundabout way.

"If I was a betting man, 11 games in a row," Paul said. "Eleven games in a row."

Betting men, and others who follow the NBA intently, know that was a reference to Paul's losing streak in the playoffs when referee Scott Foster is working. The loss to the Lakers extended that streak to 11.

An 11th chapter was added Thursday to Chris Paul's uneasy history with NBA referee Scott Foster

Chris Paul's uneasy history with referee Scott Foster adds another chapter.

www.azcentral.com

Kinda like this..puts him on blast. Maybe gets some attention and puts the pressure on Foster.

Mainstreet · Jul 5, 2021

cheesebeef said:
does this mean Foster might be refereeing more than one Finals game?

Referee assignments are usually announced on game day so I guess we will find out tomorrow who is refereeing Game 1.

Ouchie-Z-Clown · Jul 5, 2021

AzStevenCal said:
How is that relevant to what I said? I've acknowledged frequently that none of them know much about the Suns. Including Charles. And again, I'm fine with that. I just don't see anything in his words that makes me believe he's a Suns fan. After listening to him badmouth the Suns, JC, Sarver, Booker and others over the past 20 plus years, having him once again repeat "I love Phoenix" rings hollow to me. Clearly it doesn't ring hollow to you.

I brought up Kenny bc you were using Charles’ lack of suns knowledge compared to other teams as a reason why he disliked the suns. I was pointing out there’s a reason he didn’t know as much about the suns and using Kenny as evidence of that reason - little exposure to the suns on tnt.

When has charles ever badmouthed Booker? First I’m hearing of it.

Ouchie-Z-Clown · Jul 5, 2021

With an overt record like fosters the nba shouldn’t let him anywhere near a Paul game. Even if it’s pure coincidence (which at 11 straight games is difficult to believe), it’s REALLY bad optics for the nba if the 12th such game is in the finals.

CardsSunsDbacks · Jul 5, 2021

Ouchie-Z-Clown said:
With an overt record like fosters the nba shouldn’t let him anywhere near a Paul game. Even if it’s pure coincidence (which at 11 straight games is difficult to believe), it’s REALLY bad optics for the nba if the 12th such game is in the finals.

It's a bit complicated. Assuming there isn't any actual bias against CP than they would simply be punishing Foster for nothing more than an anomaly. Could also set a bad precedent going forward if they start removing refs due to narratives that don't have any real evidence. That being said I wouldn't personally have a problem with him being removed (11-0 is hard for a Suns fan to overlook at this point).

Ouchie-Z-Clown · Jul 5, 2021

CardsSunsDbacks said:
It's a bit complicated. Assuming there isn't any actual bias against CP than they would simply be punishing Foster for nothing more than an anomaly. Could also set a bad precedent going forward if they start removing refs due to narratives that don't have any real evidence. That being said I wouldn't personally have a problem with him being removed (11-0 is hard for a Suns fan to overlook at this point).

I think the number becomes difficult to support as a coincidence when you consider Paul’s overall record. I mean, if I’m not mistaken I’m pretty sure he’s won well over 50% of the games he’s played in during his nba career. And even with the playoff failures I’m sure his winning percentage is likely still at least 50% with having gone multiple rounds into the playoffs with multiple teams. So it’s difficult to understand how with one particular variable it can coincidentally drop to 0% and not have it be due to that variable. Statistically it seems highly improbably. I’d be curious to hear what a specialist in statistical probability would say about it.

but I see your point. Kind of like tossing Beverley for all his “accidents.” Unless there’s hard evidence it’s difficult to impose punishment.

SirStefan32 · Jul 5, 2021

cheesebeef said:
Yeah... I think the earliest he’s back is Game 2, but likely Game 3 which is still six days away.

And when he comes back, he won't be anywhere near 100%. Honestly, he'll look very much like LeBron, AD, and Embiid towards the end of the Sixers series, or like CP3 in those couple of games.

Mainstreet · Jul 5, 2021

CardsSunsDbacks said:
It's a bit complicated. Assuming there isn't any actual bias against CP than they would simply be punishing Foster for nothing more than an anomaly. Could also set a bad precedent going forward if they start removing refs due to narratives that don't have any real evidence. That being said I wouldn't personally have a problem with him being removed (11-0 is hard for a Suns fan to overlook at this point).

I think NBA teams should be allowed to challenge the assignment of a particular referee in the playoffs.

sdscard4 · Jul 5, 2021

I could care less who officiates.
They all suck. Only thing I like is it seems the narrative is in our favor. Will it matter? Maybe

CardsSunsDbacks · Jul 5, 2021

Mainstreet said:
I think NBA teams should be allowed to challenge the assignment of a particular referee in the playoffs.

For sure, but it would need to be based off something more than just CP's record with him officiating. If they can provide a history of bad calls going against CP that led to that record than that would be a different story.

Hoop Head · Jul 5, 2021

Scott Foster did referee game 2 of the Clippers series, where we won with the Valley-Oop.

I know Paul didn't play but how many games did he miss in that 0-11 stretch where Foster was the ref and what was the result?

I'd rather Foster not officiate either but taking games where Paul doesn't play into account changes that 0-11 narrative some.

Ouchie-Z-Clown · Jul 5, 2021

CardsSunsDbacks said:
For sure, but it would need to be based off something more than just CP's record with him officiating. If they can provide a history of bad calls going against CP that led to that record than that would be a different story.

But he could get at Paul by making bad calls against any of his teammates. I would think it would require a review of the games in their entirety to see if there’s a pattern of bias with imbalanced bad calls.

FB94 · Jul 5, 2021

Don’t think it matters to me, they ALL are so inconsistent on what is a foul, when it should be called, and on whom. One game is no blood no foul, next game is you breath on a guy and it’s a foul.

1Sun · Jul 5, 2021

Chaplin said:
This is Kawhi all over again.

I actually think it's closer to CP3 from the Lakers series. I fully expect Giannis in uniform tomorrow, and I expect him to be effective even if not 100%.

1Sun · Jul 5, 2021

Ouchie-Z-Clown said:
If he is, you switch him into our guards and make him move laterally and stop and start as much as possible. If he’s going to Anthony Davis, make him prove he’s healthy.

Agree completely. Challenge him early and often. If he is at or near 100%, so be it, but we have to put that to the test.

Mainstreet · Jul 6, 2021

CardsSunsDbacks said:
For sure, but it would need to be based off something more than just CP's record with him officiating. If they can provide a history of bad calls going against CP that led to that record than that would be a different story.

I wouldn't mind teams having one peremptory challenge of an assigned referee in the playoffs.

Ronin · Jul 6, 2021