Attacking ref: "Part of the game"

[Rich]

To add to this:

I take back what I said about the mechanics being impeccable -- the C should've had the previous foul that set up the free throws -- instead the L called across the lane. It seems that the C was standing in quicksand there instead of stepping down a few steps to pick up that baseline drive. It didn't appear that the L even closed down or even contemplated rotating there. It seemed there was enough time for the L to rotate if he was ready to do so. Instead he seemed to be planted in one spot.

Also, the positioning of the C on the free throws should've been further on the court (there's no way he can step down and see a violation across the lane on the sideline).

That said, I have no problem with the C holding on a second and assessing the backcourt situation before heading downcourt. No comment on the trail, but it did seem as though he did a lot of standing around when that first whistle blew. I would've liked to have seen some aggressive closing down on that shoving match from more than just the C.

Regardless, there's no blame to be put on the officials here. The officials didn't assault themselves. And the calls made by the C were certainly correct, including the technical and ejection that preceded the assault.