NBA Finals Ref Report: Game 3

Despite what a few desperate Orlando Magic fans might try to tell you, these Finals have really been free of any controversies surrounding the officiating. (You want goaltending? Please. This, my friends, is what goaltending looks like.) But that all might change in Game 3, if you go by the reputations of the crew that's been assigned to work this one.

Your referees for tonight: Joey Crawford, Derrick Stafford, and Mark Wunderlich. If something is going to go terribly wrong with one or more calls in this series, well, Tuesday night is going to be the night.

Crawford's crews have been responsible for some games that have had just a ton of free throws in these playoffs, as well as the ones that have had some quickly-called technical fouls.

In Game 1 of the Lakers-Jazz series, we saw the teams shoot a combined 67 free throws, and get whistled for three technical fouls. In Game 3 of the Magic-Cavs series, we saw a ridiculous 86 free throws, along with a flagrant foul and a couple of technicals for good measure.

Yes, the whistles come early and often with a Crawford-led crew, and the games tend to be over-officiated to the point where they become extremely frustrating to watch, no matter which team you're rooting for. And if that isn't enough to make you a little anxious about this aspect of tonight's Game 3, there's something else to consider: the recent history of Mark Wunderlich.

Wunderlich was the lead official in Game 5 of the Bulls-Celtics series. You remember -- the game where Rajon Rondo tried to take Brad Miller's head off at the end of overtime to prevent an easy layup. That play should clearly have been called a flagrant foul, but Wunderlich let it go, and Miller -- while bleeding from a cut in his mouth that would later require stitches -- missed the game-tying free throws.

Okay, so maybe you're a Celtics fan that didn't exactly see it that way -- fine. Then here are two more Wunderlich specials that you'll surely remember. The no-call on the intentional foul at the end of Game 3 of the Mavericks-Nuggets series, which allowed Carmelo Anthony to hit a clutch three-pointer to put Denver up three games to none and effectively clinch the series. And, Wunderlich also swallowed the whistle during a big play from last year's playoffs: the one involving Derek Fisher and Brent Barry at the end of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Spurs.

Once again, we'll hope for the best tonight, with little or no interference from the officials in determining the outcome of this game. But if something does go down, don't say we didn't see it coming.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-09-2009 @ 3:48PM

Ed Fielding said...

Until just now, I was looking forward to tonight's game. Joey Crawford just wrecks it for me. Why is this clown allowed to be a ref at all, let alone in the NBA Finals?

6-09-2009 @ 4:10PM

Rokclimber said...

I'm not in to "conspiracy Theories", but after watching the last game I was really shocked at the calls the refs made in the 4th qrtr. If anybody even looked at KOBE, the whistles blew, while at the same time I was watching D.Howard get mugged yet no whistles.

I really felt like many of the calls were very blatant. On one, Kobe was driving, lost control and fell down. Replays clearly showed NO CONTACT at all..he just lost control and fell.The replays also showed 2 refs with a perfect view, yet the whistle was blown way early, before Kobe even fell. They saw him lose control and figured since it is KOBE there must have been a foul, so they called one. This seems to happen quite frequently. Magic players were getting mugged, slapped and run over with no whistles while Orlando was getting whistles blown for just looking at the lakers players. I really felt it was quite obvious late in the game that without Lebron in there the NBA very much wants KOBE and the Lakers to win.

6-09-2009 @ 4:31PM

Ross said...

I remember the play and didn't see the foul either...until the played it the second time. They called the foul on the very early (and light) brushing of Kobe's forearm. That's why it was early. I doubt it affected his shot but it was a foul. I don't like the wussy fouls but that's why there are three refs.

6-09-2009 @ 4:15PM

Lakergregg said...

Don't leave Stafford out he sucks too...

6-09-2009 @ 4:42PM

mcjesus666 said...

despite a few bad calls (kobe falling, fishers flopping, not calling hedo's left forearm shove everytime he dribbles the ball, howards elbows, and fouling bynum out of the game miles away from the play when trying to get position against howard's elbows) the refing has been fine.....wait a min......no really....

6-09-2009 @ 5:43PM

I really can't believe how you Magic fans are complaining about the refs. They are the only thing keeping you in the game. The blatant goal tending by Howard, phantom last touch that came nowhere near Kobe. You're getting more foul shots every game and you're still losing. And complaining. Of one thing you can be sure. Joey Crawford will influence the outcome of tonight's game. Can't wait till I see which way he bet.

6-09-2009 @ 10:30PM

marylulu325 said...

with such bd referring, i think some refs should be suspended from games. either they are blind or favor a particular team. its obvious.
hopefully their calls are reviewed after each game. and if a ref calls or doesnt call properly, then he should be suspended for good.

6-09-2009 @ 10:35PM

nanashadow13 said...

I THINK THE REFEREES ARE FULL OF SHIT THEY DONT CALL FOULS THAT CLEARLY EVERYONE SEES BUT THEM LIKE TONIGHT GAME THREE ONE GUY ON THE MAGICS DOUBLE DRIBBLES EVERYONE SEES IT BUT THEM ITS NOT RIGHT AND THEY SUCK.AND KOBE GETS FOULED THEY DONT CALL IT BUT QUICK TO CALL A FOUL ON THE LAKERS.THEY ARE OLD BASTERDS THEY NEED NEW BLOOD OUT THERE SOMEONE WHO CAN SEE FOULS AND MAKE THE RIGHT CALLS