Stern and NBA partly at fault for Crawford/Duncan incident.

April 17 07

I agree. The NBA, specifically Commissioner Stern, got it right by suspending referee Joey Crawford for his confrontation with San Antonio star Tim Duncan.

I haven’t agreed with many of the royal decrees coming from NBA head office. I hated the fines for long shorts. I hated the age limit that restricted high school players. And I thought the dress code was hypocritical.

This year’s plastic ball was a joke. But the suits at head office were bang on in dispensing ‘stern’ justice against Crawford.

Unfortunately, the NBA is partially responsible for Crawford’s antics. Yes, the NBA should assume some of the blame for last Sunday’s blow-up.

Last October, the NBA wanted to stop players from protesting referee’s calls. So they instituted a no tolerance policy. Refs were encouraged to give players technical fouls for minor infractions.

There was already a problem with Crawford being too quick in dispensing technical fouls. But Crawford probably saw the no tolerance policy as a confirmation of what he was already doing.

The no tolerance policy also furthered the confrontational environment that exists between players and refs.

So one the one hand, Sunday’s incident occured because Crawford and Duncan have a poor personal relationship. And on the other hand, it occurred because a poor dynamic exists between players and refs as a whole-something the NBA has contributed to and should be accountable for.

Commissioner Stern was correct in suspending Crawford. Now he needs to look in the mirror.

Who do you think is to blame for the incident between Duncan and Crawford? Enter your comments in the box below. Read Oly Sandor’s NBA blog at www.nbablog.hoopsvibe.com

12 Comments: Stern and NBA partly at fault for Crawford/Duncan incident.

Posted by

on 04.24.2007

Soup2nuts, Tim Duncan did no such thing. Latrell Sprewell choked the coach, Charles Barkley spat on a little girl, Dirk Norwitzki hit a fan with the ball, and Kobe went to Eagle, CO .

Posted by

on 04.21.2007

I understand the players being responsible for their actions, however, even though I understand that they are only human and will make mistakes, I feel that if the Officials ejects a player for no reason or makes a wrong call (i.e. a flagrant or a technical when it isn’t) they should be responsible for it and should be a penalty, for example, they get fined and the money goes to that franchise. .

Posted by

on 04.19.2007

fire crawford. or he will take everything personally in the future. .

Posted by
soup2nuts
on 04.19.2007

Joey Crawford did the right thing. Tim Duncan is one of the most annoying and disruptive player in the NBA. he lead the league in technicals.... punched a fan in the face, chocked an assistant coach, spat on a little girl, hit a fan with basketball, grabbed another player’s jewel, and I dont even wanna talk about Eagle Country, Colorado. yeah, Tim Duncan must be suspended.In a relative story, I am Brad Pitt. .

Posted by

on 04.18.2007

Joey Crawford has to accept this, as our Lord has chosen it for him. Sweet Lord baby Jesus their private savior. .

Posted by

on 04.18.2007

A T for laughing? Whats next, Vince Carter getting kicked out for dunking or kobe for scoring 50? Crawford should be fired from the NBA. I dont always agree with the refs, but they do have a difficult job, but this was a ridiculous incident. .

Posted by
raek1
on 04.18.2007

yep the nba should is at fault. the no tolerance policy looks like a desperate move to make players look like role models after several incidents like the detroit brawl, sheed’s tachs, etc. now look ther refs are now abusive. even the slightests mistakes could warrant a T. something should be done. hope he gets fired like don imus to serve as a lesson to other refs when to call a correct tech. .

Posted by

on 04.17.2007

If laughing on the bench was illegal, shouldn’t Shaq, KG, and Ronny Turiaf be suspended for the whole season? Joey Crawford was out to get D-Wade and Kobe last year. About time someone sat him down .

Posted by
Vlad
on 04.17.2007

I disagree with that call. A guy gets ejected for laughing? Before you know it, they’re sending guys to jail for breathing. I agree with Stern for that but the Head Office makes too many decisions (bad decisions) for the game. Examples would be the ball and age limitations, etc. The game isn’t what it once was. No more freedom in the game of basketball. P.S. Nice work Olly. Keep up the great work.From Vlad who’s in your brother’s socials class. .

Posted by
Rome
on 04.17.2007

I’ve disagreed with MOST of the decisions Stern has made in the past but he’s right on target with this one. Ejecting a player for laughing(Duncan didn’t say 1 word) is the over reaction of a refs bruised ego and his personal dislike for a particular player. Have a great summer Joey $\1$ ) .

Posted by
Chairman Mao
on 04.17.2007

I believe Joey Crawford is a referee who at timeas seems to think the game is about him and not the players.Having said that; everyone knows Crawford is a Commissioner’s man. After all; who did Stern selected last year to fix the officiating scandal of the first game of the series between the Mavs and the Spurs; but Joey Crawford?Mark Cuban has a history with the league. As the Spurs do; the only ABA team to kick some booty. Stern; instead of keeping his paws for once out of the playoffs has sent again a message to Texas. .

Posted by

on 04.17.2007

What....a well thought-out piece...maybe too much donna know .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Stern and NBA partly at fault for Crawford/Duncan incident.

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