Ever thinking that maybe the League is trying to help us for once? They want to reward an honest team with Ben Simmons, even if it takes a little dishonesty on their part to do it!
I really would like to see what Hardens numbers would look like without the help of refs. Its hard to do, because he fakes so many fouls... but I bet you anything he's a 15 ppg guy without the refs help.
The difference is ours actually has a legit case. lol. Doesn't matter, though, NBA has been rigged for decades.
Even if you were serious that won't accomplish anything. If a referee is assaulted, you most certainly will be prosecuted and the referee gets a check from the state. The size of the check will depend on what level the referee was officiating. More taxpayer dollars. So realistically, if anybody wants to meet me at Mount Tabor after any of my games, I need a check so let's do it!
Referee always been the worst of any levels of the game. Next time they what to strike let them and higher college officials.
...and most every playoff series since. I've long since given up hopes of getting a fair shake from the officiating as the league is sports entertainment not sport. The home team gets down early, expect the visiting team's stars to get into foul trouble so fans can have their close finish. God forbid a ratings disaster market like Portland makes the playoffs. If they do, expect fantom fouls and unbelievable no-calls the other way to ensure the desired outcome. When this happens yet again the looks on the player's faces tells me they know the deal... you don't win here. Even following the embarrassment of the Donaghy scandal the league refused to allow the officials to become independent from the league's front office like every other major sports league. At the time they gave lip service to doing this but it was all swept under the rug once the negative attention faded. I still watch because I love hoops. I enjoy the moment and revel in great plays, but don't take much stock in the results. STOMP
It's sad because it's still probably my favorite sport, and the Blazers are our only major sports franchise other than the Timbers. I see bad calls in other sports, but I don't usually get the feeling like they were deliberate. They weren't done on the command of the higher ups. The NBA is the closest thing to wrestling.
Last night was a perfect example of this bullshit. Dame is so much better than Harden it's ridiculous. Harden attempted 18 FT last night and made 15. Dame went 4/4 from the line. Harden's line last night was 33 points off 7-18 shooting (38%), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 10 turnovers in 35.5 minutes. If Dame was handed an extra 10 points off free throws, his line would have been: 31 points off 7-20 shooting, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers. Harden isn't a superstar. I don't even think he deserves to be an All-Star.
You could actually insert the word Blazers instead of Dame in the thread title...Dame is not getting superstar calls, allstar nods...he'll let his game do the talkin'
