In the Lakers last game referee Ed Rush called a 5th foul on Shaq with 8+ minutes to go. Rush then headed over to the scorer's table and asked, "How many fouls is that on Shaq?"
Shaq never was called for the 6th foul, the Lakers won, and the NBA was once again exposed as a sham on par with 'pro' wrestling. The games aren't fixed, but the refs are under orders to try and direct the outcome. Its a bogus, faux league.
I have heard many conspiracy theories regarding the league's curious assignment of referees in pivotal playoff games, but nothing like that. I'd appreciate the source of that story.
The games aren't fixed, but the refs are under orders to try and direct the outcome. Its a bogus, faux league.
More damning than the shenanigans with the refs is the way that after Shaq-less LA got off to a slothlike start in 2003, NBA commish Stern suddenly made an announcement that the first round of the playoffs would be seven games instead of five.
And who shot JFK?
Obviously you weren't watching the game carefully. What happened is that the refs called 3 bogus fouls on Shaq prior to that. Same with Malone who was fouled by Garnett and was called for the foul. Instant replay proves this. Not to mention the fact that Bryant was manhandled over and over during the series and the refs just let it go.
You gotta source for that?
Even if true, this is more common than one would think. The reason is, the fans pay the bills and they don't come to see the bench play. Therefore, it is true that the refs usually keep track of who has technicals against them and who is in foul trouble. I say usually, because alot of times it doesnt matter but a ref is typically going to wait for a real foul or a have a really good reason to make that 6th foul or 2nd technical call.
Then again, other refs call 'faggot basketball' and call a foul every time a guy gets touched. While this is very popular for Laker haters, if this was called against your team you wouldn't like it very much.