Stop Making Excuses Bruins!

"Bruins coach Claude Julien said he "disagreed" with the officiating in Wednesday's Game 6 loss to the Lightning. The Bruins had five power plays to the Lightning's four, but players and the coach took issue with some of the calls.

"What was more disappointing is probably the fact that I don't know if I agree with those calls," Julien said when asked about special teams. "Hopefully what was said today didn't have any impact on that, because if it did, I'd be really disappointed. You look back at those, and you get an opportunity to look back at them, and it's really, really tough to swallow (WEEI)."

The Bruins have had more power plays all serious, and I have had zero problem with the way this series has been called. I hate this kind of stuff, because it's just one big excuse to why they lost. The Bruins lost because they have the worst power play in the league, and Tim Thomas didn't bail out the rest of the team. It's really that simple.

Back in the Montreal series I would agree that the officiating was at times terrible, but how do you complain about the officiating when you have had more power plays? It's just fucking stupid. Instead of crying about some bullshit, why don't you take this time and kill Kaberle, or at the very least take him off the power play?

More Technicals For Celtics?

Last year the Celtics had technical foul problems, and next year it could get worse with the NBA deciding to expand the guidelines on calling technical fouls during the referees’ annual meeting. Here is what could lead to techincal being called now...

- Running directly at the ref to complain.

– Questioning a call excessively, even if in a calm manner.

– Making aggressive gestures, such as air punches, on the court.

– Using demonstrative disagreement, such as hitting his own arms to demonstrate how he was fouled

I guess there is a part of me that likes it, because I hate all the complaining, but then again this just gives the refs a bigger influence on who wins the game. This is my biggest problem with the NBA, the refs really can control who wins, and it really just sucks. I am excited for this season, but that excitment could wash away quickly if this gets out of hand.

One thing I can say is that it is probably a good thing Rasheed Wallace retired.

NBA Officiating

It's obviously been well documented about the NBA officiating these finals and yes it has been awful. But I'm at the point where it is what can you do? I can't complain that it's going against the Celtics like some people are trying to bait me into saying, (Check Captain's facebook status, he's just still bitter about the Bruins and the NHL officiating hasn't been much better) because it's terrible on both ends. Watching these finals have to be taken with a grain of salt because you see two really talented teams playing each other, but not really allowed to play each other. We are slowly watching the NBA commit suicide and it's really the NBA's fault.

David Stern was on WEEI yesterday and he said the refs were doing a good job keeping the game in control. Well when has it ever got out of control? I think one instance in my life it's got out of control and that was the brawl in the palace a few years back in Detroit. But no one could have stopped that from happening. These players are professionals, they know what is right and what is wrong.

The officiating is taking away the purity of the game and by keeping guys on the bench for early fouls, destroys rhythm, flow and the best competitors from doing something great. The NBA has something special here with the Celtics/ Lakers rivalry getting ignited and some of the best players in NBA History playing in Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard. I hope they don't destroy it.

Important Announcement For Celtics/Lakers Game 3

Maybe the most important announcement for Game 3 was made today. No it's not an injury, comments, or suspension, but rather the NBA announced when the officials will be for Game 3.

It is really sad that it even matters, but it really does. I was listening to WEEI the other day and they were saying how Tim Donaghy is something like 17-2 in picking games in the playoffs and he does it mostly off who is officiating the game. Sorry, but that just makes me sick, and I really hope the NBA does something after this year to fix the calls, because they are kind of wasting some of the best talent the NBA has ever seen.

But that is another post for another time...

Dan Crawford, Bill Kennedy and Bennett Salvatore have been assigned. None of them have refereed a Finals game yet this year.

"Salvatore is no stranger to the spotlight, especially when it comes to the Lakers. In April, Lakers coach Phil Jackson criticized him after a 100-81 loss to the Spurs that included a technical on the Lakers' Ron Artest. Jackson also criticized Salvatore and the officiating crew in last season's playoffs during the Lakers-Nuggets series (Boston.com)."

Well that sounds like good news for the Celtics. If Boston starts getting calls in this series, and get to the line like the Lakers did last game, then they should blow them out. So with that in mind...Celtics win 103-89.

NBA Rescinds 1 Technical From Perkins

The NBA has rescinded one technical assessed to Kendrick Perkins and he will play in Friday's Game 6. This is great news, but they really should've rescinded both. Now if Perkins get 1 more technical foul he will be suspended for a game. He is really going to need to watch his temper, and hopefully it doesn't affect his defense.

Still, with Wallace and Big Baby hurting the Celtics could not lose Perkins. I feel a lot better about game 6 with Perkins out there against Howard.

But seriously the NBA has to sit down after this year and talk about it's rules. It is just fucking silly. I don't even understand what is and isn't a foul anymore, and they need to stop handing out technicals like they are going out of style. A game should be decided by the players not the refs. It is getting to the point where it is tough to watch.

Anyways, at least that is some good news today.


***UPDATE***

the NBA also upgraded Paul Pierce's foul on J.J. Redick in the fourth quarter was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after Pierce shoved Redick chasing a loose ball.

Does Rasheed Make The NBA Hate The Celtics?

As I was heading into work today there was what seemed to be a homeless man on the train with me. Looking at him, as he looked as if he hadn't showered in week, I naturally starting thinking of Rasheed Wallace (Come on, he does look homeless)...

Anyways, I was thinking about the Celtics loss last night, and their natural progression so far this season. DP and I have been talking a lot lately about how bad NBA refs have been. It is now at the point where I have a hard time watching a lot of Celtics games, because (not to sound too much like a homer) it seems the refs are really going after the Celtics.

Why is this (if it is true)?

I started thinking about the roster, and the Celtics have a bunch of guys who have a tendency to jump all over the refs (Garnett, Perkins, Sheed, Pierce, ect). Wallace obviously being the head guy, in that regard. We have seen him battle non-stop with refs throughout most of the season. To the point where the NBA has had to step and take back some of the technicals, because there was no just cause for them being called in the first place.

So, what am I trying to get at?

What if the Celtics struggles are being magnified, because of the calls that are being forced on them. Doesn't it seem like the calls this season are never in the Celtics favor. I know I sound like Tommy Heinsohn here, but is it really that much of a conspiracy theory? Doc is seeing it. Have you ever seen him this upset consistently with the refs? I know I sure haven't.

So, my question to all NBA fans is... Am I just making excusing for the Celtics, or has the arrival of Rasheed suddenly pushed the ever important (and seemingly vengeful) "officiating" against them?

Doc Fined $25,000 For Being Right

Doc Rivers was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his actions when he was ejected Monday in Atlanta, which was caused by a bullshit flagrant foul on Glen Davis. It was so bullshit that the NBA later took back that foul, but Rivers was still stuck with a bill for $25,000. How can you fine someone for being right? The refs in this fucking league are so terrible that someone really should get pissed. At least Doc is taking it all in stride...

"I think it's my relationship with Rasheed Wallace. I'm going to blame everything on him from now on. If you keep company like that, then."

My Love For Rasheed Grows

"Rasheed Wallace was told he should watch his critical statements towards referees, but he says he won't stop. He also plans on buying Tim Donaghy's book.

"Either way they're going to get me," Wallace told the Boston Herald. "If I don't say nothing I'm going to get fined, and if I say something I'm going to get fined. So I might as well say something about what's on my mind, what I want to say. They're going to hit me up either way. I've been through that before in Portland. When I wasn't talking to the media they were fining me. But then when I did talk to the media they didn't like what I had to say, so they fined me some more. So I was like, 'Well, (expletive), if you're going to fine me I might as well say what the hell I want to say (ESPN).' "

Sure the technicals bother me, but like I said before the refs gun for him and he really doesn't deserve a lot of what he gets. If they are going to go after him either way, I am glad at least that he is going out fighting, and really saying what is on everyone's mind.....NBA refs are the worst in all of sports.

More Lebron "Star Treatment"

"One of the common gripes against LeBron James -- besides his ability to get foul calls against him -- is his ability to never commit any defensive fouls himself. Or rather, as some call it: the refs swallowing the whistle against a star player fans have paid to see. Last year, he was averaging an incredibly low foul rate.

So it's not surprising to read this note in today's Arizona Republic after the Suns-Cavs game last night.

"A rare NBA treat happened late in the second quarter Monday night," writes Paul Coro. "For the first time in four Suns-Cavaliers games, LeBron James was called for a defensive foul. He fouled Jason Richardson under the basket in the final minute of the first half, only to get another foul three minutes into the second half against Amar'e Stoudemire. James also had banged Richardson in transition with no call in the first quarter. James is a good defender, but nobody is good enough to go 130 minutes without a foul (ESPN)."

Fucking ridiculous. No player can play that long without a defensive foul, but somehow Lebron does constantly. This is why the NBA is so fucking annoying. Fouls are not the same across the board, and I know some people argue that the NFL is like that, but I don't think it is even close to this extent. Sorry, but after watching Sheed/Perk get technicals for basically nothing, then flip on another game and watch Lebron rape people going to the hoop and nothing is called, I just can't take that crap anymore.

Anyways, fuck Lebron. I hope Rasheed drop kicks him when he goes for a dunk.

NBA Takes Back 1 Technical On Wallace

"As A. Sherrod Blakely reported at CSNNE and NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed, the league took back one of the 10 technical fouls Rasheed Wallace had racked up in just 26 games this season. NBA official Bennett Salvatore made good on his word and rescinded a tech he issued to Wallace during a Nov. 29 win in Miami. Wallace was hit with a T for yelling "And one!" after a made basket. Wallace now has nine technicals. Should he reach 16, he would face a suspension for every other technical foul. Teammates have already expressed their concern, especially considering Wallace was on pace to reach that number by Jan. 11 (Boston.com)."

Well that is good news, but still he is on pace to go blowing by the 16 technical foul limit allowed. As I stated yesterday it does concern me that he will be on the bench during important games down the stretch, but as long as he is on the floor during the playoffs I guess I don't really care (but watch out for Perkins' technical fouls too).

Rasheed Wallace's Comments Scare Me

"Rasheed Wallace is not sorry for being ejected Friday night and says he's being victimized by officials. Wallace doesn't understand why official Bill Kennedy, who ejected him, was standing near the Celtics' huddle during a timeout.

"You tell me," Wallace told The Boston Globe when asked if he was targeted. "I can say all I want about anybody. If they are standing right near our huddle trying to stick their nose in there, so yeah they are going to hear some stuff. And that's exactly what it was. When have you ever seen a ref stand that close to our bench during a timeout?"

When asked if he was angry with himself for being ejected, Wallace said, "Nah, not really. To answer your question honestly, I wasn't. I still play my game. I ain't changing my game for nobody (ESPN)."

This is quickly becoming a problem for the Celtics. If Wallace keeps this up then he is going to start getting suspended by the league. Listen, I agree with everything Wallace says. I mean that. He is right the refs are going after him, and it is blatant. NBA refs are the worst of any sport, but in the end the do run this league, and Wallace has to learn to keep his fucking mouth shut. This team does not need him getting suspended and being a distraction. Plus, when playoff time come around is Boston going to be able to depend on this guy? Or is he going to throw a fit, and get kicked out (or at least rack up even more technicals)? It seems like most people don't find this concerning, but it is starting to worry me, and it has to be worrying Doc.

Rasheed Wallace: Refs Are A Bunch Of Cheaters

Have I told you how much I love Rasheed Wallace.

"Rasheed Wallace, he of technical foul fame, had this to say about former NBA referee Tim Donaghy and his betting scandal to the Boston Herald.

"I always said to myself and had the thing that there's no way that the things that he did he could do them by himself," Wallace told the paper. "I always said that. It's virtually impossible. The things that he's been accused of, there's no way, to me, in my opinion, he could have done those things by himself."

Wallace was asked if other refs were betting on games.

"Possibly. I mean, I'm not sure if they were betting or whatever. But I know it's going to be, to me, once all this stuff comes out, it's going to be like -- what year was that? -- I want to say, was it the '32 New York City basketball scandal?"

Wallace was referring to the CCNY scandal of the '50s here (ESPN)."

The Celtics have to be the most hated team by refs in the NBA. They hate Wallace, Garnett gets technicals, Pierce can complain, Rondo likes to be a tough guy, Perk is constantly the angriest man on the planet, and Doc has been down every refs throat since the beginning of the season. I hope it doesn't affect the way games are called, but I can't argue with anything Wallace has said.

Rasheed Wallace Talks About Technicals

"Much has been written about Rasheed Wallace and his NBA-leading eight technical fouls. Any player who reaches 16 will be suspended for one game for every one they receive after 16, and Wallace, at this rate, would reach 16 by Jan. 11. Coach Doc Rivers said Wallace needs to be careful, but Wallace doesn't seem as concerned. In his most previous technical Tuesday against Charlotte, he was whistled by official Derek Richardson after being headed into the bench. Wallace was still angry about a defensive foul on Flip Murray earlier in the second quarter.

"I cursed on that one, so I deserved that one," he said. "I don't have no problem fessing up when I deserve it. Because I did say a couple of obscenities at him."

Wallace said he waiting to hear from the NBA regarding the possible rescinding of three technicals -- ones against Indiana, New York and Orlando. Also, according to Wallace, official Bennett Salvatore told him he would look to rescinding one he received in Miami for yelling "And one!" after a made basket.

"I take that with a grain of salt," Wallace said. "Before I even came here, this was never an issue for me. I don't care about that. If they want to sit up there and call that (stuff) then fine, that's cool. But my thing is don't cheat me. I don't care about all that technical foul (expletive). (Boston.com)"

The Celtics can't afford to lose thing guy later in the season, because of this shit. Don't think for a second I am completely blaming Sheed. NBA refs are the most crooked, pieces of shit in all of sports. Hopefully the NBA does take a couple back, because a lot of them were complete horse shit. Still, Sheed needs to understand that NBA refs are looking for him, so he needs to be smarter, keep his mouth shut, and play ball. He won't, so that's why I am hoping the NBA takes back a couple of these...

Rasheed Wallace Fined $30,000

"Before Sunday's game Rasheed Wallace was fined $30,000 by the NBA for "public criticism of officials" after his postgame comments Friday. Wallace accused Toronto's Hedo Turkoglu of flopping and then said some players receive preferential treatment after Paul Pierce was whistled for a technical for taunting Chris Bosh following a dunk.

"They set rules on us to the point where you’re taunting. When Paul dunked it, and then Paul didn’t say nothing, he just looked at him. Let the Golden Child do that or one of the NBA [Basketball] Without Borders kids do that and it’s all fine and dandy," he said.

When asked who the Golden Child was, Wallace said "Take a guess." And when a reporter mentioned LeBron James, Wallace said, "yeah (Boston.com)."

This is bullshit. Wallace did not direct go after the refs, and even if he did everything he said is 100% true. It is fucking ridiculous that a players popularity determines the fouls that are or aren't called. You add that to the fact that there are reports of more refs being involved in gambling you notice that the NBA has a serious problem on its hands. Something has to be done, because this is completely out of control.

Wallace is going to appeal the fine.

Ochocinco Fined $20,000

"Chad Ochocinco has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for flashing a dollar bill at an official during a replay challenge -- a joking attempt at what the Bengals receiver referred to as a "bribe" -- in last week's Cincinnati-Baltimore game (ESPN)."

You know what? Good. The NFL fines players for endzone celebrations, spiking the ball, ect...so it is just not right if Ochocinco got away with this. I find him hilarious, and I thought this was funny, but you can't do that, and if I was a teammate of his I would tell him to shut the fuck up and get ready for Pittsburgh.

Ex-Army General To Take Over Refs In NBA

I just wanted to use this clip so when I found this story I was ecstatic. With the NBA referee's being in question they got Ronald L. Johnson, a two-star general to take care of everything. The Tim Donaghy sentencing is set for this July and sure to be a media circus. This guy will silence some of those critics.