Tim Donaghy discusses LeBron James favorable treatment in Game 1
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Gyp Rosetti
Banned
What's his beef with JVG? The guy makes some valid points but him singling out Van Gundy makes me take what he said with a grain of salt.
Archie Moses
Well-Known Member
Adam Sandler's ugly twin brother?
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Ummmm Tim clearly called out 2 obvious fouls where James was favored.
James just destroyed Terry like a safety hitting a slot coming across the middle. JVG would have to be a complete dumbass to feel like it was an offensive foul.
James bulldozed Barea and got away with it.
It's pretty obvious that Miami got away with a lot of calls. Is the NBA behind it? I'm not sure. We'll find out more come game 3 and 4.
But I think it was pretty obvious that the refs were giving star treatment and got carried away with the home crowd on a number of the plays in games 1 and 2.
Personally, the #1 problem between this NBA/refs/controversy thing is the lack of accountability. In the NFL, refs are held accountable publicly. In the NBA, no one knows. If Stern came out and said that Danny Crawford made a horrible call and would be suspended for the next 5 games, then all this controversy nonsense (and so many favorable super star calls) would take a huge hit.
James just destroyed Terry like a safety hitting a slot coming across the middle. JVG would have to be a complete dumbass to feel like it was an offensive foul.
James bulldozed Barea and got away with it.
It's pretty obvious that Miami got away with a lot of calls. Is the NBA behind it? I'm not sure. We'll find out more come game 3 and 4.
But I think it was pretty obvious that the refs were giving star treatment and got carried away with the home crowd on a number of the plays in games 1 and 2.
Personally, the #1 problem between this NBA/refs/controversy thing is the lack of accountability. In the NFL, refs are held accountable publicly. In the NBA, no one knows. If Stern came out and said that Danny Crawford made a horrible call and would be suspended for the next 5 games, then all this controversy nonsense (and so many favorable super star calls) would take a huge hit.
Oh please man. I hate James as much as anyone but cmon. The first foul was on James and Van Gundy was silly to suggest offensive foul on a natural arm movement from Terry. To say it was a flagrant is ridiculous though. James went for the ball. Its not his fault he is much bigger than Terry is, resulting in a hard fall.
Also, Barea rears his head back if you touch him in the slightest. If you put your arm out to feel, he will act like you are pushing him with all your force.
1) he said "borderline flagrant" which seems reasonable. It could have been a flagrant, it was close
2) I have heard some experts state that bigger people are MORE likely to be called for a flagrant, so your argument that Lebron should get a pass because of his size doesn't hold water.
3) It did look an offensive foul against Barea. If Barea flopped for no reason, that would be different,
All of Tim's arguments are valid. His main point is correct, that Van Gundy in these examples was applying a different standard to Lebron than to the Mavs players. Now if you were to say that this was just one example, you would be correct. This could have been just a coincidence. My opinion is that nearly all NBA sports play by play announcers will tend to be biased in favor of the star players more often than not. The reasons for this are debatable.
2) I have heard some experts state that bigger people are MORE likely to be called for a flagrant, so your argument that Lebron should get a pass because of his size doesn't hold water.
3) It did look an offensive foul against Barea. If Barea flopped for no reason, that would be different,
All of Tim's arguments are valid. His main point is correct, that Van Gundy in these examples was applying a different standard to Lebron than to the Mavs players. Now if you were to say that this was just one example, you would be correct. This could have been just a coincidence. My opinion is that nearly all NBA sports play by play announcers will tend to be biased in favor of the star players more often than not. The reasons for this are debatable.
1. It was not a flagrant. Not close.
2. Yeah, more likely to get the wrong call because their size disparity results in a bigger fall, giving the appearance of an extreme foul
3. Barea always flops.
I've seen flagrants on similar plays.
Barea was fouled. Just because he moved his head back doesn't change that. If the refs didn't make a call if the player overreacted a bit, 75% of the calls would be not called. Yea, it was also borderline, but it certainly was more of an offensive foul than the one with Lebron on defense, and that is the point, VG was biased in these instances in favor of Lebron, adamantly criticizing the call that was against Lebron, and saying nothing with the roles reversed.
Barea was fouled. Just because he moved his head back doesn't change that. If the refs didn't make a call if the player overreacted a bit, 75% of the calls would be not called. Yea, it was also borderline, but it certainly was more of an offensive foul than the one with Lebron on defense, and that is the point, VG was biased in these instances in favor of Lebron, adamantly criticizing the call that was against Lebron, and saying nothing with the roles reversed.
Van Gundy called out Wade for getting the foul called by flopping in the last minute of the 2nd qtr, game 3, and said it's not good for basketball. I agree. In contrast, many other broadcasters support the flopping. Jeff is probably the best play by play announcer, and my 2nd favorite TV guy behind Barkley.
How can the refs not know these guys (Wade especially) are flopping so often, and let them get away with it so often??????
How can the refs not know these guys (Wade especially) are flopping so often, and let them get away with it so often??????
