Dwight Howard [...] fouled out with 1:17 left in overtime on a questionable call as he went for a rebound against Chauncey Billups.
It prompted Quentin Richardson to scream from the Magic bench, "The fix is in!" It’s a dangerous allegation for an NBA player to make, especially after the Tim Donaghy investigation, but Magic players were furious about several calls in the game.
about 1 year ago
Evan Dunlap
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God I love Q.
Yeah that’s right, I said it.
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
Yep....when he retires, I hope they could keep him in a mgmt role..like..
Director of Player Encouragement and Morale
Yo! I am Twitter!! @McLeanCromer Follow me!
Magic Fan...all day, every day, even on Sunday!
by Bonafidebrother on Mar 29, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
All of that plus 3ball cheerleader!
Orlando Magic. Oregon Ducks. Seattle Mariners. Jacksonville Jaguars.
You know it..Eddy explained it clearly in his recap.
The Knicks needed the win, Melo stated that to the media…Bavetta was the ref ( no bias but there are plenty of stories about him from Donaghy himself) and they were playing the Magic…
if you look at this from a conspiracy theory, this game solves a lot of problems.
1. D Howard gets a tech that usually is called a delay of game… because of this, the MVP voters will have more ammo to say Dwight’s not deserving of the award, just like Ric Bucher did on the SC following the game…so the MVP debate gets harder for D12 to win.
2. Stern vs. Stan…enough said.
3. The Knicks are once again on the “right track” after the win charging towards the playoffs…
Im real salty about the way the game ended but oh well, SVG wasnt pissed, Bulls & Celtics lost also, and we were no where near full strength….so the Knicks can kick rocks…with their moral victory.
Yo! I am Twitter!! @McLeanCromer Follow me!
Magic Fan...all day, every day, even on Sunday!
by Bonafidebrother on Mar 29, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
Just because you're paranoid
doesn’t mean they are not out to get you . . .
Fortunately, the NBA has a well-tested quantitative formula for determining who the best team is. It's called "the playoffs." - Robert Silverman
Now, if only Q manned up, played and defended 'Melo...
by Ol' Uncle Munnerlyn on Mar 29, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions
he didn’t play…he was hurt
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
man up! lol
Carlos Zambrano: 26.6 HR/FB%
by CubFanRaysaddict on Mar 29, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
i think Q is one guy we should question his heart or commitment to the team
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
Great
Now Q’s going to be suspended for two seasons.
by eltharion_doa on Mar 29, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The fix is in.
Has always been. Will always be.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
I don't think the fix was in, I just think Baveta is a senile corpse who should not be an NBA official
Arenas needs to hurry up and shoot himself (out of this slump).
zing!!!
"Evan!
Unban me from the OPP!"...........David Polega
by AB's triple double on Mar 29, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not a zing. It's true.
Bavetta has worked 2,434 games, the most in N.B.A. history, and has never missed an assignment since he joined the league in 1975. He has worked in 27 finals games, and in every championship series from 1990 to 2008.
That streak ended last year — a subtle indication that Bavetta was no longer considered among the elite referees. Any ambiguity was erased this spring, when he was not assigned to the conference finals, ending a 20-year streak. Bavetta had worked in every conference finals round since 1989.
Here’s the link.
Since when can a zing not be true?
"Evan!
Unban me from the OPP!"...........David Polega
by AB's triple double on Mar 29, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The truth hurts!
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 29, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we get a "where the fix is in!" header next week?
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
by JeffShann3 on Mar 29, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah
its a star driven league and they know casual fans follow stars. So, the stars will usually get the red carpet treatment at the foul line. Unless, that team is not apart of the “status quo” major basketball market, ie the celtics, lakers, and knicks
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Ok, ok... let's open this up!
Let’s go deeper into this “fix”… and please bear with me here.
Let’s supose for a moment here, that a “fix” IS in effect for Magic games…
HOW would this be carried out? Would it come straight from the Commissioners’ Office, or would come from some other perhaps obsure emplyee? Do you actually pass an order down, or just present a hint… like Stern’s comment to the media that he was going to talk to the Magic’s Owners?
How would this “fix” actually come about? What are the possibilities here? We are NOT League employees; so we can actually TALK about this freely.
If this is real; HOW do we bring it into the open? What would it take to expose it… a public confession from an honest ref… a media conference perhaps? If someone DID actually come forward, would it not mean the end of Stern as Comissioner? In todays’ climate; even this type of unploven allegation would blow whatever credibility the League has: The owners would DEMAND he resign, not to say the millions of really, really angry fans!
Let’s hear it guys… HOW would this play out?
I wish I had said that!
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 29, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Me too...
By the way, when a Technical decides a game… any game; it is a BAD call! Totally unacceptable! No if’s… and’s or but’s about it.
Howard has been involved in two of such critical end-of-game calls this year alone… decisive game calls. The Refs decided the game; not the players.
Something needs to be done here…
He deserved that technical. I don't have a problem with the tech call.
by Evan Dunlap on Mar 29, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The foul call before it was iffy. Even Clyde (Walt Frazier) said so!
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 29, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
What I never understand is why can't it simply be a delay of game warning?
As long as one hasn’t been called previously, obviously. I mean, I know it was out of protest and I can’t argue with the call itself, but wouldn’t it make sense to just be “Ok Dwight, we get it. Delay of game, 12 blue.” And then remind him “that’s your warning to cut it out.”
Although I guess he probably had been warned previously, whether justly or not.
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
What's your take on the non call when Anthony swung his elbow at
Bass’ head and Bass got called for a foul?
That technical is OBVIOUS. The foul was horrible,
but you can not question the technical. Don’t get dumb here.
by blumad on Mar 29, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What I'm saying is
There was a pattern of calls, at the very end of the 4th Qt, and the OT… a series of bad calls… all one-sided; when you and I both know that Refs usually refrain from making such clearly decisive calls. It’s almost an un-official rule: You let the players decide the game!
There was a pattern of calls in Game 6 of the 2002 West Finals and a bunch of free throws given to the Lakers. Oh yeah a foul on Mike Bibby’s nose when KB8’s elbow connected with it. Go figure.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
I have watched the video over and over and it appears TWO refs were watching Melo throw down J-Rich and pass on the call.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Wx4CAnRl4
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 29, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions
The worst part?
Turk hit the 3, and if the refs would have made the correct call (i.e. Anthony for tripping Richardson) it would have been an And 1 with J-Rich shooting the potentially go-ahead FT w/ under a minute left. That’s the part that kills me.
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
NBA referees. What can be said that hasn't been said yet?
Their motto is: “Worst in all professional sports, and proud of it.”
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on Mar 29, 2011 7:45 PM EDT reply actions
FIFA's World Cup is bad all-around, not just the referees, but the organization itself is crooked.
European leagues’ soccer referees are pretty awful, always favor the big market teams, no doubt about that… still the NBA zebras get the upper hand, in my opinion (maybe because I root for a large market team in the italian serie A, while I root for an underdog in the NBA :P )
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on Mar 30, 2011 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Georgia Championship Wrestling, circa 1975
Although NBA officiating has become so quirky, a guy could pull a chain from his shorts, pop Howard in the head, and not get called. But give Dwight the technical for overreacting to the blood.
I've rarely met a sports fan of any team or sport
Who didn’t think that a) their sport’s referees were the worst in the world and b) the referees in their sport were specifically and exclusively biased against their favourite team.
by eltharion_doa on Mar 29, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
You must not know too many Laker fans.
I’m surrounded by them and they are more than aware of those “but I’m Kobe Bryant” calls
by Memphissleek on Mar 30, 2011 12:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm against the idea that there's a "fix".
It seems like crazy talk. In the case of Dwight and quick calls on him, I blame Dwight. This season he’s built a rep for whining and throwing elbows in retaliation. He’s put himself on the “watch closely” list through his own actions and ever whining mouth. I’m sure more the one ref meeting has revolved around how to deal with Howard. Combine those fouls with his chronic an foolish offensive fouls and you have a superstar who has trouble staying on the court. I think Stan and Magic fans have done Howard a disservice by feeding into the “fix” theory insteading focusing on how to correct the problem. It all starts with Dwight being silent at all times when on the court. Don’t bitch, don’t whine, don’t wave your arms in disgust and eventually the refs will ease up on him.
As far as the other bad calls in this game, I agree that the were indeed bad calls. But I think we’re delving into ridiculous territory when we talk about there being a “fix” against our team and our superstar. If Dwight’s free agency wasn’t looming on the horizon I think you’d be hearing a different tone from Van Gundy regarding the calls on Dwight. There be a bit more blame being put on Dwight’s super sized shoulders. But for now, to avoid ruffling Dwight’s feathers it’s “Yep, your right Dwight. The fix is in. The league is against you. The refs are against you. But you’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve got your back… Now please re-sign with us”
Crushing weaker minds since 1978
Over 1 million served.
by Matty B on Mar 30, 2011 1:55 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I don't think there is a conspiracy specifically targeted against the Magic and/or Dwight Howard.
but I firmly believe that the NBA, and the refs, unashamedly favors certain teams. Which teams? Those that can give them the best tv ratings.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on Mar 30, 2011 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Or teams that their bookies favor-
Go Magic/Bucs/Gators/Rays!
by chiefs_55 on Mar 30, 2011 6:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not teams more players IMO
They must get tired of getting cussed at and yelled at every game. But please get the calls right then
Roll Bass and War Ryno for me
I think people overstate what Q meant. (plus my thoughts on "'whining")
I don’t think Q was accusing the refs and NBA of some vast conspiracy. I think it was just a heat of the moment comment, basically just saying that the call of bogus.
The problem isn’t Howard’s complaining. Lots of stars complain. In fact, I’d argue that there are several other big name stars that complain about calls more often and more forcefully than Howard does. LeBron jumps around and throws his arms around after a bad call but rarely gets T’d up for it. Garnett is notorious for cheap stuff but refs never seem to keep an extra eye on him because of that reputation. Kobe might be harsher on refs than anyone but gets less T’s than Howard. Pierce, Ginobli, and Bells flops are legendary and totally disrespect the game — but they keep getting those offensive calls.
The problem, I think, can be summed up in one word: Frustration.
There’s a difference between getting angry at a bad call and getting frustrated by it. Both can surely lead to technical fouls if left unchecked, but I’d argue that getting angry is much better state than getting frustrated.
First off, anger has clear cut boundries in terms of what is acceptable — making it easier to check yourself (or have teammates step in) when you get close to that line. Not just that, but getting mad can, though not always, renew the focus and drive in a player. Getting mad creates energy. If used to scream at the ref, you get a T. If used to play ball, it can lead to a great stat line. The best players are the ones who get mad, and use it to “go off” on the opposing team. Even if a player who’s mad gets a tech, they still have the opportunity to channel that anger into sharper, more intense play — if kept under control, obviously.
Frustration on the other hand bubbles under the surface until is spills out in an emo mess. It spirals downard, out of control, making it seem like nothing can go right. Complaining out of frustration just comes off as “whining”, and whining is annoying. Annoy the refs, and you’ll get a T. Notice that when Howard gets a T, most of the time it’s because the ref was “tired of hearing it” from him — that’s being annoyed, not feeling disrepsected or threatened. But worst of all, opposite of anger, frustration sucks out energy. There’s no “going off” because you’re frustrated. It just doesn’t happen. It snowballs into one bad play after another, and soon you’re exhausted and drained — there’s no channelling or controlling that.
The problem with Howard, and to an extent the Magic on the whole, is that they get frustrated. Not mad, frustrated. Call it lacking a “chip on the shoulder” or “toughness” or whatever…when they make bad plays or get bad calls, they don’t get mad, they get frustrated. Mad says “I can’t believe that guy beat me, I’m going to man up on him next possession and make him look the fool.” Frustration says “I can’t believe that guy beat me, I can’t seem to get anything right this game.” Mad says “That was a bogus call, that [blank] is blind and stupid. Next time I’ll crossover my guy so hard he falls down…call a foul on that, [blank].” Frustrated says “That was a bogus call. Ugh, I can’t catch a break. There’s no use.”
It’s that distinction that makes all the difference. Anger needs to be kept under control, but it can be controlled. Frustration can’t, and it only leads downward. I’d rather see the Magic get pissed after a bad call, rather than throw their hands in the air. I’d rather see the Magic get intense after a loss, rather than shake their heads. I’d rather see them demand respect, instead of saying they should be respected.
That’s not all to say that frustration isn’t warranted. Something happens and it could either frustrate or anger, and sometimes both. Right now, when the Magic are given a situation to choose which way to take something they get frustrated instead of mad. That’s the underlying problem, to me. It’s certainly not an easy fix, but I think if they worked on that specifically, a lot of things down the line (better calls, less Ts, more confidence, more league respect, etc) would follow.
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Mar 30, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
So, the Magic have no heart and just give in to frustration, but the C's and Heat and Laker's get mad and are better because they have worse tempers.
Got it…
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 30, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Take your lack of nuance and reasoned debate somewhere else, please.
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Mar 30, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
It was a simple paraphrase of your convoluted post.
The Magic get frustrated, others get angry and are better off by having worse tempers. Just giving the Reader’s Digest version.
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
Quote of the Week: "One day I am going to be the guy standing at the pearly gates explaining that I was just in there, but they forgot to stamp my hand."
by Both_Teams_Played_ on Mar 30, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
no need to be a DB about it. i for one agree with his point (even if it was a little long winded)
by Alan J Ganssle on Mar 30, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Long winded...true.
I tend to over-explain, usually in an attempt to be clear.
Obviously didn’t work this time. :-P
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Mar 30, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yawn.
I never made the claim, nor do I believe, that the Magic have no heart or that those other teams are better because they “have worse tempers”.
You’re “Reader’s Digest” version is nothing but a oversimplification of something I wasn’t even talking about. But whatever, you take what you take from it.
::shrug::
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Mar 30, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
The Magic are taking on the personality of their coach.
I love SVG, but he is figity. He complains and moans. So does his team. But I can live with that. Calmest person on our team is Jameer. If you watched the GSW or Sacramento game, not sure which, game a couple of weeks ago, everyone got upset towards the end but Jameer tried to keep everyone calm. Jameer took the personality of our GM. Calm and he tries to be emotionless.
Roll Bass and War Ryno for me
Maybe that's why he plays like Otis too?
Maddeningly inconsistent…
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
Possibly.
In the playoffs he has been pretty good and consistent. Even against Boston last year, he nor Rondo outplayed the other.
Roll Bass and War Ryno for me
Inconsistent in terms of driving
and sometimes focus (eg. the TOs) When he drives and probes in the pain, they play terrific. When he doesn’t it is a crap-shoot. Jameer is at his best when he is attacking the rim and the paint in general and making the defenses shift and rotate.
"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."
http://www.twitter.com/JShannonhouse3
http://www.twitter.com/Amway_Get_Loud
Not a fix? Then maybe a 6-month long coincidence?
DeMarcus Cousins leads the league in personal fouls (Dwight is 9th), has 2 ejections and 11 technicals.
Kevin Garnett ranks 126th in the league on personal fouls called, and has 11 technicals with 1 ejection.
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/fouls/sort/avgFouls/count/201
Still no flagrants called on those guarding Dwight, while he gets beaten about the head and shoulders nightly.
There's a difference between accepting the refs call Dwight differently
And assuming the NBA is rigged.
by eltharion_doa on Mar 30, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
But that's the very definition of "rigged", isn't it?
The larger question is how the rigging was approached. To some conspiracy theorists, it was all mapped out in a smoke-filled room with Don Stern at the head of the table. I don’t buy that. I think it was more of an evolutionary process within the good-ole boy network of the officials…kind of an unspoken rule sort of thing.
Dwight is treated differently, and nobody at the executive level will intervene until he is seriously injured.
I just think dominant big men
Are called differently. Shaq got the tar beaten out of him when he played for the Lakers.
by eltharion_doa on Mar 30, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
This post actually angered me at first
I think it is silly to not call out the NBA and the officials whenever a game like this is called the way it was called, especially at the end(s). To use Dwight’s technical issues as a reason why we should just sit idly and bite our tongues is ridiculous. The refs were clearly biased, for whatever reasons, me I tend to believe that they know Orlando has nothing to win, and NY has everything to lose, and they got extremely beneficial calls, mostly allowing them to foul constantly at no charge. I thought I was watching hockey out there at times, as the guy with the ‘puck’ was getting body checked into the boards at every opportunity. My main issue with what you are writing, is that public outcry is the only hope we have that the NBA doesn’t end up the same as wrestling. The players aren’t allowed to say anything, the coaches aren’t, it is up to the fans to voice their displeasure so that we can hopefully keep a shred of integrity in the game.
I am made of bits of real panther so you know I'm good.
OT: Hey guys which was that funny Cleveland blog that Evan usually quotes?
Must have something interesting on them beating the “king”.
I believe it's Cavs the Blog and Jon Krolik is the writer.
"If we’re scheduled to play tonight, we’re scheduled to win tonight." -Vince Carter
by TheOtherWhiteMeat on Mar 30, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
BLOG HEADER WIN
"(Dwight) Howard averages 23 points and 14 rebounds per game and is the defensive basketball equivalent of a guy carrying a bazooka during laser tag. No one wants to play with that kid."-Matt Moore
Stern is losing control and respect of the players
He needs to step down for the good of the game. The “I know where the bodies are buried” comment pretty much is the best example of this.
You have now have Q yelling what we all were saying after the game.
Reading my posts is a privilege and I will ban anyone who disagrees with me from the Internet for life.
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