Other sports have officiating issues, but they don't seem to control the game the way it does in the NBA. Isn't that what Cuban has been saying since he first entered the league as an owner? But when he does, he gets fined hundreds of thousands of dollars. The NBA has no interest in correcting this problem, because then the game might be decided on the court by the players. That said, and being a Maverick fan, the Mavs choked in games 3, 4 and 5. Chances at the end in 3 and 5 and blew it. Did not even show up for 4. I no longer think the Mavs can win this series. And, since Miami has shown the rest of the league how to play against them, I doubt the Mavs win 50 next year.
I think Cuban's business rep is inflated by virtue of Yahoo overspending like crazy for Audionet/Broadcast.Com during the heady days of the dot-com boom. But his management of the Mavericks, after a decade in which they were the losingest franchise in the four major sports, was nothing short of genius.
according to the statment from joe derossi, howard asked for the timeout twice before it was granted. besides, shouldn't avery johnson have said something in the huddle after the first foul shot? the mavericks have only themselves to blame for letting this one get away due to missed free throws (howard 2, nowitzki 1) down the stretch.
Photo of Wade getting fouled.
Photo of Wade getting fouled. Yeh, but that's not the foul they called. Doesn't matter; game is over.
There's only one answer for this- basketball needs instant replay.
it's not just that play kirkaracha. I mean, do you really believe that dallas is lacking in players that slash to the basket and draw contact? if we're calling the game close, let's do it on both ends. that's what drives me nuts. of course, mark cuban spending his tenure as an owner making the refs look like idiots isn't going to help his team getting any breaks on this front. it's asinine for me to really complain, since it doesn't change anything, but i believe that the nba has the most inconsistently inconsistent officiating of any of the big american sports.
What's the difference if he was fouled by Harris instead of Nowitski? He was fouled. They call the foul on the wrong person all the time. do you really believe that dallas is lacking in players that slash to the basket and draw contact? Yep. Look at the shot chart. The Heat took a lot more shots in the paint.
As a Texan I normally pull for the Local Team . Cuban's arrogance and brash attude have caused me to pull for the Heat. Cuban and Jerry Jones are both owners that seem to want all the credit.
kirk, the shot chart's misleading. wade only had 2 shots in the official "paint," and there's no tracking of shots he missed that sent him to the line, since those aren't official attempts. same is true for the mavs. furthermore, you have to admit that the fouls that slashers draw happen more often on the way to the paint (grabbing a guy after they get beat, body contact/blocking fouls like the picture you posted) rather than in the paint, them getting leveled by a big.
They call the foul on the wrong person all the time. Wait a minute, which side of the argument are you on?
Which ever way the wind blows, baby!
Between the Stackhouse suspension, that call, Wade's 25 trips to the line, the timeout call, and Shaq once again taking Dirk's head off on a rebound with no call, the NBA has become the Heat's sixth man. Perfect Take!!
Conspiracy (to have this series go 7?) or not--and both sides of the issue have merit--I still think Dallas takes it in 7 IF Nowitzki and Howard bring their A games. The Mavs might also consider guarding that Wade guy better. That foul call at the end of the game was weak and a horrible way to end a great game..but Dallas needs to show the poise they displayed during much of the Spurs series. Prediction for game 6: Mavs come out strong in the first quarter and lead by double digits; the Heat keep the game close until late in the 4th; and Dallas rides their fan support and their frustration with the last three games to win by 10-12 points (say 109-97.)
I don't think the Mavs can win a close game late unless Dwyane Wade is in foul trouble. He's in their head. As a Dallas native, I'd be crushed if the Mavs lose this thing, but I'm beginning to think that Wade has put together a Finals performance for the ages. If you were going to get beat, better to get beat like that.
Nowitzki--check; Howard--check; double-digit 1st quarter Mavs lead--check; Wade--unchecked.
