NBA One man mechanics with Dick Bevetta

[Cajun Reff]

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

[Back In The Saddle]

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

[Mark Padgett]

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.

[biz]

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.

[grunewar]

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

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

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by biz

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.

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

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by grunewar

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

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

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.