Joey Crawford Suspended Indefinately:

[asudevil83]

NBA Referee Joey Crawford Suspended

NBA referee Joey Crawford has been indefinitely suspended for improper conduct toward Tim Duncan during the San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks game on April 15, it was announced today by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The conduct included Crawford's assessment of a second technical foul and ejection of Duncan following laughter by the player while he was seated on the bench, and inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game.

Crawford's suspension will cover at least the remainder of the 2006-07 season, including the NBA Playoffs and Finals.

"Joey Crawford's handling of this situation failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees," said Stern. "Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted. Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities."

The incidents occurred with 1:04 remaining in the third period of the Mavericks 91-86 win over the Spurs on Sunday, April 8 at American Airlines Center.

somewhat suprised. i never did see the video clip of this, does anyone have it?

 

[jenna2891]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky6Rqf6iYJI

 

[D-Dogg]

It is about time that dude got put in check. He is always so outlandish and inserting himself above the game.

I love it. He was so out of line it's not even funny, and even I think Timmah is an incredibly whiny b. But that was uncalled for...I watched it over several times in disbelief.

 

[Dback Jon]

Excellent news - about time the NBA took a stand on him.

 

[JS22]

somewhat suprised. i never did see the video clip of this, does anyone have it?

I think that this is bullcrap. Duncan was clearly showing him up, although nobody really wants to admit it. He didn't do it just once, but twice. I probably would have thrown him out too.

 

[asudevil83]

wow...and that call on Oberto on the next play was just as ridiculous.

 

[D-Dogg]

wow...and that call on Oberto on the next play was just as ridiculous.

He freaking skinned the cat on him.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Cuban's bully the officials act working in great form here.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not that it's a valid point but what first popped into my head about Crawford and Duncan was:

The enemy of my enemy is my friend???



Sorry, please forgive me while I repent.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

Cuban's bully the officials act working in great form here.

I kind of tend to agree. The fact that Cuban can intimidate the refs like he does is over the top, reminds me of the WWF. Next thing you know he'll be running out on the floor with a fold up chair in hand.

 

[az1965]

On one hand I commend Stern's action to address the situation promptly. I do think Crawford was out of line somewhat.

On the other hand... DANG!! I was hoping for at least one Duncan ejection with Crawford officiating the semis...

 

[jbeecham]

I'm glad Crawford got suspended. I don't like Duncan or the Spurs, but that ejection was insane. Actually, Duncan is a hell of a player that I wouldn't have a problem with if the refs didn't let him get away with so much crap. Duncan is probably such a whiny baby because he's been conditioned by the refs to expect calls to be made for him and not have calls made against him so that when they actually do call a foul on him, he can't believe it.

You guys all just thought I was a Suns homer and that's why I complain about the refs so much during games, but the truth is that I hate bad/biased officiating league-wide and I think it's ruining the game. It's about time there's a public hand slap being handed down by David Stern, it's been long overdue IMHO.

 

[joshstmarie]

Why is everyone so happy he got suspended, seems to me it would have been nice to have crawford in our corner come the 2nd round, or whenever it is we're supposed to meet the spurs

 

[Russ Smith]

Hey that surprised me I figured it wouldn't happen or he'd get fired completely.

I wonder if Stern is just saying the T was wrong, or his actions refer to the alleged "do you want to fight" comments from Crawford?

They had it on tape last night on espn where you can hear Crawford with his back to Duncan make the call, turn around, see Duncan laughing and blow his whislte and yell "technical foul #21 on the bench you're OUT OF HERE."

Didn't have any of the prior comments but it made it perfectly clear that duncan didn't say a word to get the 2nd T.

 

[tobiazz]

When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be a link to The Onion. Good to actually see an official punished for losing his temper and potentially affecting the game's outcome.

My question: Would Crawford have been suspended if the ejected player had been a guy like Pat Burke rather than Duncan?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be a link to The Onion. Good to actually see an official punished for losing his temper and potentially affecting the game's outcome.

My question: Would Crawford have been suspended if the ejected player had been a guy like Pat Burke rather than Duncan?

Not at all.

 

[F-Dog]

Bad news for the Suns, I think--officials are going to be even more afraid to go after Tim Duncan than usual now. Just in time for the playoffs, Duncan will go from "gets the most calls in the entire league" to "you've got to be kidding me, even Wade would never get that much respect".



My guess is that Duncan gave Crawford a 'stage laugh', which is what caused Crawford to turn around in the first place. The question in my mind is, was Duncan was just baiting Crawford because he was angry, or was he trying to set up a confrontation? If he felt Crawford wouldn't give him calls, it's possible Duncan used this meaningless (but national TV) game to remove Crawford as a factor from this year's playoffs.

 

[elindholm]

I sort of like Duncan, in spite of his constant whining, but there's no way he's that calculating and manipulative.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

But didn't Crawford afterward say "Do you want to fight?" to Tim? That's whats so unprofessional. A ref should not be doing that.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

But didn't Crawford afterward say "Do you want to fight?" to Tim? That's whats so unprofessional. A ref should not be doing that.

Yep, and that is what got him suspended, for sure.

 

[F-Dog]

But didn't Crawford afterward say "Do you want to fight?" to Tim? That's whats so unprofessional. A ref should not be doing that.

IMO he was probably saying "Do you want a fight?", i.e. do you want a showdown. If that's so, Duncan's answer to that question was obviously "yes".

 

[JS22]

When I saw the headline I thought it was going to be a link to The Onion. Good to actually see an official punished for losing his temper and potentially affecting the game's outcome.

My question: Would Crawford have been suspended if the ejected player had been a guy like Pat Burke rather than Duncan?

Of course not.

 

[F-Dog]

I sort of like Duncan, in spite of his constant whining, but there's no way he's that calculating and manipulative.

The Spurs spend more of their time and energy gaming the officials than any team in the league by far, and Joey Crawford is a known hothead who was already rumored to be on his "last strike". Let's just say I wouldn't discount the possibility.

The fact that Duncan was huddling with Robert Horry after his first "T" is also indicative IMO.

 

[Bufalay]

Did anyone see that foul call at the end of that you tube clip where oberto is setting a pick on howard and howard throws his body into oberto and oberto gets the foul? That call was just as bad as the technical call, might be one of the worst flops i've ever seen. It looks like crawford made that one too.

 

[Bufalay]

nevermind it was the other ref