The Sports MISStress’s Gripe – The 2011 NBA Finals (Round 1)

Its the electrifying time for all NBA fans; “Forty Games And Forty Nights” has officially began for the NBA and are now going into the second round of the NBA playoffs. You can be certain that there has definitely been drama, excitement and controversy from game one and on. Especially when it comes down to fouls called during the final mintues of a close game.  First there was the game changing referee call made during the NEW YORK KNICKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS Game 1. Carmelo Anthony was called for an offensive foul which turned the ball over to the Boston Celtics with just a few seconds on the clock. This possession gave the Celtics the chance to come back and win the game and thats exactly what they did, with Ray Allen hitting a clutch three-pointer and giving the Celtics the victory. There also was the controversial goal tending call made in the first game between OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS. DENVER NUGGETS  which seemed to be a changing factor in that game as well.
When I watched these two games in particular I knew that the drama had just began for the playoffs. It seems like there always has to be some type of suspense and excitement created during this time of the year. The problem is why doesn’t this drama and suspense just happen on it’s own but more so at the hands of the officials who tend to make game changing decisions. It seems that during the final minutes of the game where both teams are battling it out comes the worst calls. The slightest push, hand-check or contact can be called as a foul down the wire, while it would have been overlooked in the previous three and a half quarters. These “bad calls” not only have an impact on the score of the game but also the atmosphere and tempo, affecting the players and many times causing a shift in the momentum of the game. Think about it…If Carmelo was not called for the offensive foul it’s fair to say that the Knicks most likely would have won that first game in Boston and that surely would have changed the way the series would have played out and ended. There would have not been a sweep by Boston that’s for certain. This could also be said for the Denver and Oklahoma game which also had looked to be a sweep in favor of the Thunder. When you sit and actually analyze the calls and how significant of an impact it can have on not just one game but the entire series one may think that there may need to be some type of penalty or fine for referees’ imposed by the NBA. If there are fines issued then you would see a clear change in how these games are called, especially in the final minutes. If the NBA can fine the coaches, players and organizations then what makes the ref’s off limits? Shouldn’t they be held accountable?