It seems with every NBA playoff comes more talk about the corruption of the league’s officials. Criticism this weekend was levied by Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who has manipulated referees over the years more than anyone else, and who has benefited more than any other human being from bad calls by the refs. We reported yesterday about a Sports Illustrated column assuring Orlando Magic fans that the refs will cheat to get the Cavaliers in the finals. After last night’s Lakers-Nuggets game, Denver coach George Karl complained about Jackson and the officials, and an anonymous Nuggets player said he believes the Lakers have bought the officials.
Years ago I began pulling away from basketball because I was tired of seeing the referees "control" games. No sport inherently gives so much control to its officials, given how many calls are made over the course of a basketball game. There have been professional and collegiate games I watched that I felt were either badly officiated or the refs flat-out cheated. What do you think? Are the officials a problem for the NBA? Either way, do you think this is an image problem for the league?
It seems with every NBA playoff comes more talk about the corruption of the league’s officials. Criticism this weekend was levied by Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who has manipulated referees over the years more than anyone else, and who has benefited more than any other human being from bad calls by the refs. We reported yesterday about a Sports Illustrated column assuring Orlando Magic fans that the refs will cheat to get the Cavaliers in the finals. After last night’s Lakers-Nuggets game, Denver coach George Karl complained about Jackson and the officials, and an anonymous Nuggets player said he believes the Lakers have bought the officials.
Years ago I began pulling away from basketball because I was tired of seeing the referees "control" games. No sport inherently gives so much control to its officials, given how many calls are made over the course of a basketball game. There have been professional and collegiate games I watched that I felt were either badly officiated or the refs flat-out cheated. What do you think? Are the officials a problem for the NBA? Either way, do you think this is an image problem for the league?
