[M&M Guy]

Well, considering it's smack dab in the middle of the political season, I feel the need to agree with both BITS and JRut.

Jeff, you absolutely correct about being aware of the clock starting and stopping. It has helped me out in both camps and during games. It lends a certain amount of credibility to the crew if they can correct a clock or shot-clock issue, because it shows players and coaches that the crew is actively involved in all aspects of the game.

That said, I agree with BITS in this particular situation. There's no way I'm so focused on the clock to be aware if it stops or pauses during a live ball play. If I'm off ball, I'm looking at the clock when the ball is put in play to see if it's started properly, and I'm looking at it when I hear a whistle to see when it stops (or should be stopped). If I'm C, looking for the last shot, I'm watching the player with the ball and the LED's, along with listening for the horn. But I am not looking at the numbers to see if they somehow stop while scrolling down to 0.00. If that's the case, I would never see if the shot has left the hand, or if a player gets pulled down during the action.

I feel bad for the crew, as it appears they did things by the book at the end. Perhaps they were so focused on looking at the foul on the monitor, that even with the replays, they may not have caught the clock pause at 00.2. I didn't catch it right away until the announcers brought it up after the third or fourth replay. In the heat of the moment, in the middle of the arena, with everything at stake, knowing that everyone wants a decision right away, I'm not sure I would catch that one either. I would like to think I could, but I didn't while sitting in my recliner.