NBA One man mechanics with Dick Bevetta
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqIxJ3bcT8g

the famous Bird/Erving fight from 1984 with Dick Bevetta working alone in the Boston Garden with two bitter rivals

What happened to his partner? How did he end up working the game alone?

From the comments":

"one of the NBA referees in that game, veteran Jack Madden, suffered a fractured bone above his knee early in the third quarter and was forced to miss the rest of the contest (including the fight). Veteran NBA referee Dick Bavetta, all 5-11 and 155 pounds soaking wet, had to pull double-duty and officiate the game solo. He calmly held his own in separating men a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than himself over the course of the "performance"."

Maybe this situation was the inspiration for having a backup official.

wow that is pretty chickensh!t of Dr. J. He needed Moses and Barkley to hold Bird so he could land a couple punches. btw I love Tommy Heinsohn.

Anyone know the final penalties? Fines? Suspensions? Can you see this happening today? Wow!

PS - How bout them short, shorts!!!! :p

That's what he got for having M.L. Carr as a teammate.

In the aftermath, the NBA Office handed out a grand total of $30,500 worth of fines. The two prime combatants, Bird and Erving were each assessed a pink slip of $7,500 each. M. L. Carr and Moses Malone each drew a $3,000 fine, Charles Barkley $1,000 for fighting and Bill Cunningham a $2,500 setback for post game comments. 12 other players (six from each team) each drew a fine of $500 for leaving their respective bench during the melee.