Will the Nuggets or the Magic get fair calls?

[Chris_Sanders]

Polls have indicated that the NBA has a serious problem...a lack of credibility. They are routinely named the poorest officiated of the major sports leagues.

They are also the most frequent target of conspiracy theorists. A significant percentage of viewers believe that David Stern is just a notch above Vince McMahon. They believe he manipulates the outcomes of games to ensure that the teams that win are the "best for the league" and the lottery to ensure that the right franchises are loaded with talent.

And of course you have referees manipulating the outcome of games for professional gambling. What should have been the final death kneel for David Stern as a commissioner was spun into a "where this happens" commercial for the NBA.

So now we stand on the verge of one of the biggest rating bonanzas in awhile. Kobe versus Lebron. It is the marquee matchup that will make a ton of money for the NBA.

Of course this heavily anticipated matchup brings even greater scrutiny on Lakers/Denver and Magic/Cavs series. Will the NBA try to address it's critics by calling both games as close to fair as possible or will the temptation to nudge the game towards the vertible pot of gold be too great?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I personally believe that every questionable call is going against Denver and Orlando.

 

[elindholm]

It will be slightly skewed in favor of Los Angeles and Cleveland, but not because of a conspiracy, just because the referees simply can't help but be aware of where their bread is buttered.

However, with Bryant's popularity declining and Billups having made the Nuggets fashionable, Denver has a chance to get the officials on their side. With Anthony representing the next generation along with James, and Wade already on the sidelines with his ring, a James-Anthony final would be plenty marketable, and the league won't be blind to that either.

 

[Shane]

Hell no they wont. Thats a given.

 

[95pro]

had a discussion about this last night with a co-worker.
my thoughts, calls are going to try and favor kobe/lbj.

and even my coworker noticed a slew of commercials with only kobe/lbj coming out. and mentioned that maybe stern/nba is trying to set up a kobe-lbj finals.

i mean, even the league and officals scout players too. to see their tendancies(sp), habbits, and history/prior-incidents. its biased already, so whats new. thats why rondo didnt get ejected, and thats why artest did.

 

[leclerc]

The superstars are getting calls all the time. It's been that way in recent years and I believe the league has lost quite a bit of credibility. I hope the calls and technicals are somewhat close in the semi's.

 

[dodie53]

i'm expecting a lot of technical fouls called against denver and orlando because of their complaining

 

[Hat]

Denver had a lot of BS calls against them, especially on Martin for guarding Dirk in game 4. The one where he fouled out in game 4 with a minute left was beyond obvious there was no foul, but the refs called it anyway to milk a game 5.

Cleveland won't need refs calls to beat Orlando. They are good enough to beat them in 5 games.

I'm going to scrutinize more on the Laker/Denver game. That one will be interesting.

 

[Skkorpion]

With San Antonio eliminated, David Stern doesn't have to prop up his best buddy, Popovich. His refs will almost guarantee a Lakers - Cleveland final.

The Magic have no shot anyway because the Cavaliers have a better team and better coaching.

The Nuggets will get screwed. That's certain. The one problem is that this LA team can get very lazy sometimes so they will need the refereeing bias.

 

[Blackification]

of course they won't get fair calls.. stern wants la vs cleveland and his boys will do whatever they can to get them there.

 

[nashman]

Not a chance in hell, Lakers will get all the calls and well as some said don't think cleveland will need them but they will get the calls as well. The only way Denver and Orlando win games is by blowout fashion if its close you will see some crap calls that will result in FT's for Lakers or Cavs!

 

[Renz]

It's a conspiracy! That's why those huge media markets in Cleveland, Orlando and Denver made the conference finals.

LOL!

 

[mojorizen7]

Polls have indicated that the NBA has a serious problem...a lack of credibility. They are routinely named the poorest officiated of the major sports leagues.

They are also the most frequent target of conspiracy theorists. A significant percentage of viewers believe that David Stern is just a notch above Vince McMahon. They believe he manipulates the outcomes of games to ensure that the teams that win are the "best for the league" and the lottery to ensure that the right franchises are loaded with talent.

And of course you have referees manipulating the outcome of games for professional gambling. What should have been the final death kneel for David Stern as a commissioner was spun into a "where this happens" commercial for the NBA.

So now we stand on the verge of one of the biggest rating bonanzas in awhile. Kobe versus Lebron. It is the marquee matchup that will make a ton of money for the NBA.

Of course this heavily anticipated matchup brings even greater scrutiny on Lakers/Denver and Magic/Cavs series. Will the NBA try to address it's critics by calling both games as close to fair as possible or will the temptation to nudge the game towards the vertible pot of gold be too great?

This is the most irritating(putting it gently) fact of all. Like a lush forest needs to burn down once every century in order to cleanse itself, this scandal should've triggered the Sternite-lead NBA referees equilavent to that analogy. It's really quite unbelievable how Stern weasled his way out of that mess.

In answer to your post.....I don't forsee the NUGZ getting any benefit-of-the-doubt type calls in this series. 4th quarter,close game,incidental contact?.......advantage Lakers.

 

[mojorizen7]

It's a conspiracy! That's why those huge media markets in Cleveland, Orlando and Denver made the conference finals.

LOL!

Stern can't put the Lakers and Knicks in the Finals every year
....especially while D'Antoni's coaching in NY

 

[Cheesewater]

It's a conspiracy! That's why those huge media markets in Cleveland, Orlando and Denver made the conference finals.

LOL!

It's not about media markets. It's because people want to see LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony in the conference finals. Those individuals sell advertising.

 

[Renz]

It's not about media markets. It's because people want to see LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony in the conference finals. Those individuals sell advertising.

Really? A Denver/Cleveland Finals would be the lowest rated ever. Same with Denver/Orlando.

The glamour franchises like LA, Boston, Chicago & New York are the ones that draw ratings.

 

[nashman]

Renz then you should be happy because the powers that be will make sure the Lakers get there

 

[Renz]

Renz then you should be happy because the powers that be will make sure the Lakers get there

 

[cobbler]

denver 26 fouls 35 free throw attempts
lakers 26 fouls 24 free throw attempts

Lakers home court

Evenly officiated game...

Keep the sour grapes comming!

 

[Renz]

The refs caused Denver to miss 12 free throws.

 

[cobbler]

The refs caused Denver to miss 12 free throws.

You know they did. An no doubt Stern paid Carter to toss the ball to Ariza for the clutch TO.

 

[D-Dogg]

The refs didn't call Chauncy out of bounds on his made three because it made the Lakers win more dramatic. Damn those Laker homer refs!!!!

 

[Cheesewater]

Really? A Denver/Cleveland Finals would be the lowest rated ever. Same with Denver/Orlando.

The glamour franchises like LA, Boston, Chicago & New York are the ones that draw ratings.

No. No way does a Denver/Cleveland finals score lower than San Antonio/Detroit. In fact, that's where Stern learned a valuable lesson.

Stars sell advertising in EVERY market.

 

[dodie53]

refs made kobe score 40pts.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

denver 26 fouls 35 free throw attempts
lakers 26 fouls 24 free throw attempts

Lakers home court

Evenly officiated game...

Keep the sour grapes comming!

Do you really think that addressing the long held conspiracy theories is sour grapes? This isn't about the Lakers, this is about the NBA.

I am generally pro-Lakers fans on this board but the myopia some of you have on here lately is awfully grating.

Hence, why it was "These two teams" not "The Lakers"