Charles Barkley's "brutal NBA refs" comments

[jeffpea]

Anybody see the Spurs vs Mavs OT game last night and the post-game analysis by Charles Barkley? I'm paraphrasing here, but he essentially said -"David Stern has got to do something because the officials have been brutal in the playoffs".....

Although I only saw the 4th qtr and OT, last night's crew (Dick Bavetta, Jim Clark, and Derrick Stafford) did have a rough couple of minutes in the 4th qtr.

Jim Clark mistakenly thought a Mavs player hit the ball out of Duncan's hand before going over the backboard (no one touched it - should have been Mavs ball)

On the same possesion, Jim Clark overruled Derrick Stafford on a shot clock violation (2 replay angles did not show the ball hitting the rim)

After inbounding the ball following the "inadvertant whistle/shot clock" situation above, Stafford got Duncan on a moving screen that looked a lot like the ole' "make up call".

On the ensuing possession by the Mavs, when the ball went out of bounds on the endline, neither L or C had a clue (T had to come in to solve it). Coming on the heels of what happened at the other end of the court - it didn't look very good.

Despite those situations listed above (and two other surprising calls later in this game), have the officials been that bad? It seems to me that they've done an overall good job of working some very close games with the team that played the best winning.....

[truerookie]

I think all officials who make it to the NBA are quality individuals. No one is perfect. In a real game situation, in the heat of battle, judgement can be questioned. However, you have to keep things in perspective. At the high school, ncaa level, you may have situations you pointed out. The comments by Sir Charles is really not worth a discussion. JMO.

[Texas Aggie]

The key here is Barkley doesn't like the Mavericks, for whatever reason, and anytime they win, he has to make excuses for the team that lost.

Its as simple as that.

[Dribble]

This is my personal observation and I have no stats to back it up, but I don't feel that Jim Clark is as solid an official as others who have been around as long as him. Again, PERSONAL opinion because I feel he makes a number of poor quality calls.

There was a blocking foul on Duncan last night where he pointed to the ground, which usually indicates to me that the restraining circle was the reason behind the block; however, the replays showed that Duncan was clearly outside of the circle by 2 ft.

[JRutledge]

My question is what is the NBA going to do if the officiating is bad? I always love how people complain, but have no solutions. Even Mark Cuban’s solution to “hire college official” was shortsighted and silly. Who cares what Charles says when he does not understand what it takes to become an official or what it really takes to get to this level. Then the very people they think would be able to officiate do not want to become an official. I am not sure why we pay that much attention to these clowns in the first place.

Peace

[Dribble]

Barkley has always been known for his outlandish comments! Part of his statements are probably for shock effect. He's a useless commentator and his colleagues even make fun of him. Just a couple nights ago, one of his partners said, "Wow, Charles finally made a good comment!" or along those lines.

[jkjenning]

Like other games in this series - the Spurs lost but coulda/shoulda won. It kills me to see them at the FT line - hire someone like the Mavs did a few years back and get their key players reliable at the line.

That aside, I think Cuban has lobbied/harrassed the league for long enough that the Mavericks, and Dirk in particular, get some pretty outlandish calls. I am not objective, but I don't recall watching the Spurs play anyone else... well, ok - the Lakers and Bryant are an exception... but o.w. the calls seem like the best you could expect. Dirk gets some crazy calls, however. I'm afraid I am developing a bit of a distaste for the Mavericks, and that's too bad; at least Duncan seemed to keep his composure last night.

Like the Rockets a few years back, the Spurs could still take control of this series - they are playing better as this thing goes along. I can still remember Tomjanovich saying "never underestimate the heart of a champion" after the Rockets had played umpteen elimination games on the way to their second title - wow.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by PWL

I was at the game last night, and I can honestly say it wasn't very well officiated.

Is that what your extensive NBA playoff officiating experience tells you?