Atlanta Hawks: NBA admits blown call in Game 6 (plus notes)
The NBA said Marquis Daniels should have been called sooner for fouling Al Horford on an inbound play with 3.1 seconds left in Game 6. If game officials had made the correct call the Hawks, who trailed 81-79 at the time, would have been awarded a free throw and possession of the ball.
The league posted a link with an explanation on one of its official Twitter accounts:
During the last two minutes of the fourth period or overtime, if a personal foul is assessed against the defensive team prior to the ball being released on a throw-in, it is considered an Away-From-The-Play Foul and the offensive team is awarded one free throw and possession of the ball. With 3.1 seconds remaining in the the Boston-Atlanta game last night, a foul was called on the Celtics’ Marquis Daniels after the Hawks’ Marvin Williams had released the ball and therefore the foul was correctly treated as a common foul and not an Away-From-the-Play foul. With that said, however, the replay shows that the foul on Daniels should have been called sooner than it was by the officials, in which case it would have met the requirements of an Away-From-The-Play Foul.
I watched the video numerous times and it’s very close as to whether Daniels was called for a foul before Marvin released the ball. In any event, league spokesman Tim Frank said the rules do not give game officials the option to look at a video replay to determine when the ball is thrown in or when a foul is committed.
Of course there is no recourse for the Hawks, who protested the call during the game. Coach Larry Drew said game officials told him Daniels fouled Horford after Williams released the ball.
“That would have been a huge play, a huge turn of events,” Josh Smith said.
Horford said game officials didn’t offer the players much of an explanation.
“We knew we were on the road and we weren’t going to get anything [and] we were going to have to earn everything we got so it was no surprise they didn’t call the foul earlier,” he said. “He was grabbing me the whole time.”
Notes from exit interview day
- Drew said neither he nor his agent have talked to Hawks management about his contract option for next season. He said he planned to “get away for a few days” before taking up the issue next week.
- Not sure how much there is to the Chris Broussard report linking Rick Sund to the Portland GM opening. Hawks owners have expressed an interest in re-signing Sund but haven’t made a formal offer. Sund has told people he may be interested in a part-time consulting role with the Hawks or another team and also is considering retirement.
- Josh didn’t have much to say about his future, except to repeat “I’m under contract for one more year with the Hawks” and remind media that he could be fined for talking about the reports of his trade request. His trade request still stands for all the reasons I reported before the trade deadline. I’m told another factor that can be added to the list is his desire to play in what he believes to be a better basketball market. But I’m sure you might have inferred that from the way Josh (without prompting) contrasted Boston’s fans with Atlanta’s throughout the series.
- Al said he would resume rehabilitation for his pectoral. “I’m very limited,” he said. “I made a lot of progress in two weeks but I’m about 50 or 60 percent strength.” He reiterated that he didn’t feel comfortable returning before Game 4: “I knew I had a ways to go. Even when I came back, I felt limited. I gave it all I had for the team and for the city. Our city had big expectations for us. It was unfortunate we had a number of injuries and couldn’t do what we wanted.”
- Drew wouldn’t say exactly went wrong on Atlanta’s penultimate possession, which ended with Josh missing a 22-footer, except to say the ball was supposed to go to Joe Johnson. I watched the replay a few times and best I can tell is that Josh was supposed to set a pick to free Joe to cut to the basket or, if Paul Pierce and Brandon Bass switched, end up in the high post against Pierce. However, it looked as if Josh released his screen too soon and stepped out to the perimeter.
- Al on the play: “We drew up a play. I thought it was a pretty good play. I got it and swung it to Josh. Joe, they did a good job denying him, so Josh forced up a tough shot. It didn’t go down.”
- Mike Prada at SB Nation has a different interpretation of the play. He thinks the first option was for Al to feed Josh the ball on the left block. That doesn’t jibe with Drew’s explanation but both could be true considering Drew’s plays have multiple options. Prada also thinks the Celtics got away with a lot of clutching and grabbing on the play. (H/T Jason Walker of Peachtree Hoops).
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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653 comments Add your comment
Tired Tired Tired
May 11th, 2012
11:45 pm
I have watched this sorry excuse for a basketball whatever(not a team) for thirty seven years. I am Tired of watching millionaire pretend to be players collect a check and do absolutely NOTHING. Lousy players, Lousy coaching, Lousy management, Lousy ownership about sums it up. Get out of town LOSERS. Don’t let the million dollar door hit you in your sorry a$$ on the way out of town. Go embarass some other city LOSERS. Tired Tired Tired
Rob
May 11th, 2012
11:47 pm
Kobe is a superstar, hall of famer. Josh is…. what exactly?
christopher mehegan
May 11th, 2012
11:48 pm
HAHAHAHAHA HEY CHOKELANTA PLAYOFF STEPPINGSTONE 1ST ROUND OUTCHOKEARTIST’S HOW’S THE GOLFING SEASON GOIN FOR YA HAHAHAHAH GREEN & WHITE FOREVER GO CELTICS
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 11th, 2012
11:52 pm
Hawks lost but they went down fighting. I respect that.
Bluestreak
May 11th, 2012
11:52 pm
No, Worldwide. We only want to give Josh what he wants. He wants out because the fans are tired of Josh playing ‘Josh and his gang’ basketball instead of playing like a team.
No one denies what he did this year. He played excellent ball most of the year. But too often he would go back to the ‘watch me pull a jumper out of my hat’ Josh and the fans rightly wore him out about it. This is a team game, and too often he wanted to make stupid shots to show out.
I think him and Joe both need to go. They both want to play ISO-Joe/Josh. Neither are good enough to do it consistently. Very few are. I love watching Josh tomahawk a dunk on a breakaway. Dude can fly. But I’d rather see the Hawks play good, smart team basketball and make it to the Conference Finals because they aren’t relying on two ‘try to do it alls’.
O'brien
May 11th, 2012
11:53 pm
Najeh,
Memphis survives. On to a game 7 in Memphis, so they will have a good chance to win the series after all.
Not Sund
May 11th, 2012
11:58 pm
I don’t know about Rick, but I’mma GM for two teams next year.
So, Josh can’t be here all next season. It would be crazy for the Hawks to let him walk in free agency and get nothing in return.
Let Dominique become team Pres., let him retool the team. That might earn the Spirit group a season of good will with the fans while they try to sell the team.
christopher mehegan
May 12th, 2012
12:02 am
chokers chokers chokers chokers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go celtics green & white forever:):)
ATL fan
May 12th, 2012
12:05 am
Josh Smith and Joe Johnson are our 2 highest oaid players and the CHOKE when it comes to playoff’s or big games. The Hawks play with no effort and heart! they show no emotion and play like an AAU team! 1 on 1 and force up dumb shots! Josh smith, needs to get out of ATL he was always the other teams best palyer cuz all he did was force 18ft jump shots in which he cant shoot, instead of using his athleticsm to get to the rim!!!
When it comes down to it, they dont playw with heart and passion, AND THAT IS NOT EXPECTABLE
Slimjr
May 12th, 2012
12:06 am
“Nobody want any part of the Grizzles in the playoffs, there the only team in the west that can beat Thunders.” -BIG DOG-
Najeh has this team in the finals!
Memphis would sweep the Hawks! They are scary…..
High-sider
May 12th, 2012
12:10 am
DeMarcus Cousins is more of a bonehead and headache than Josh Smith.
christopher mehegan
May 12th, 2012
12:12 am
GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON HAHAHAHAHAHAH GO CELTICS GREEN & WHITE FOREVER
High-sider
May 12th, 2012
12:14 am
Grizz beat Clipps, 90-88.
Tony Allen is the defensive version of JR Smith. Both of these guys are idiots. BBIQ’s combined is a -10 [-5 apiece]
Grandad
May 12th, 2012
12:19 am
1st of all ‘`Big Ray`’
You are probably correct:
I hold Sund in such low regard that it is difficult for me
to rank anyone higher than him on a “scorn” list.
`Tis pretty sad when ASG / Gearon, Sund, -&- Joe
all rank ahead of Marvin on the list we are talkin` about.
For those who do not know what I`m talkin` about:
“a list of who we hold in greater disdain”
[as it pertains to the Hwks success]
christopher mehegan
May 12th, 2012
12:39 am
ICE FISHING ICE FISHING ICE FISHING ICE FISHING IN THE SOUTH POLE IS OPEN FOR U GUYS TO SPEND UR OFFSEASON BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH GREEN & WHITE FOREVER GO CELTICS C’S IN 6 OVER THE SIXERS
Terry
May 12th, 2012
12:46 am
This team, owners & coaches are retarded. Their offense is one guy w/ the ball while the other 4 stand around w/ their you know what in their ^&#$@*. Josh is the most talented, undisciplined player in the NBA. The team is painful to watch and that’s why no one I know goes to the games unless they get free tix from some stupid company that paid for them. BTW, this team has zero heart outside of Horford.
John Drew
May 12th, 2012
12:46 am
The Hawks needs to blow this team up. First they need to trade Josh Smith for a good player with a high basketball IQ and a first round pick. The Hawks should draft Andrew Nicholson with one of the first round picks, and with the second first round pick they should draft Kendall Marshall, Moe Harkless, John Jenkins or Tony Wroten. They should use the second round pick to draft Xavier Gibson, Henry Sims or Robert Sacre. Let me know what you guys think.
ALR
May 12th, 2012
12:53 am
Why didn’t Drew tell Horford to “brick” the second shot. If you get the rebound, you have a chance to tie the game. Make the second free throw and there is not enough time in 2.3 seconds to foul and then score from the other end of the court. Any good coach should know that!
Grandad
May 12th, 2012
12:55 am
Jeff Shultz
whom I enjoy reading,
inferred that the Hawks will be no easy fix.
As an old Coach;
I disagree, in that, too many people look at basketball
-bass-ackwards- ?
The solution is: (for most folks)
1. Always fire the Coach
2. Change the players
In that order !
-Okay-
Now what ?
Like DawgNole says – It`s been 43 yrs. – ain`t my fault.
We`ve had a bunch 0` different coaches and a heap of
assorted indiscriminate players wear the Hwks jersey.
Now – my point:
Simple:
Pray for Sund to leave.
-then-
appoint a new GM that will establish a ‘`Winning Culture`’
*so far
No salary cap issues … money not a problem
we do N0T have to worry about finding a trade partner
-or-
whether the trade works on trade machine.
Also the New GM -&- LD can GeeHaw or not GeeHaw
-but-
they Must be on the same page – if not – the LD goes ! …
Once again = simple.
Now;
Players:
*find players who are willing to listen to the Coach
[otherwise they will be traded to the Turkish National Team]
-or worse … Toronto-
*find players who will play hard
*find players who will play smart
*find players who will play together
*find players who will play to win
Now:
*Trade Joe
*Amnesty Marv
*Sign Nash
*Sign Asik
*draft with a clear cut plan in mind
** Simple … Told you !
Grandad
May 12th, 2012
1:00 am
John Drew
Thank you sir:
I`ve been pitching Andrew Nicholson for more than 6 weeks
on this here blog.
It was nice to hear someone else follow suit and mention A.N.
Mature senior with a really nice, diverse skill set.
hawksfan2012
May 12th, 2012
1:09 am
THE REFS WERE PAID TO THROW THE GAME TO BOSTON. I KNEW IT AND THIS PROVES IT. THE NBA IS RIGGED FOLKS.
hawksfan2012
May 12th, 2012
1:10 am
HAWKS WOULD HAVE WON THE GAME IF NOT FOR THAT BOTCHED CALL, NOT TO MENTION BOSTON SHOOTING 14 MORE FTS.
Rusty
May 12th, 2012
1:13 am
Fantasying again grandpa
christopher mehegan
May 12th, 2012
1:14 am
GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON GOLF SEASON HAHAHAHAHAH GREEN & WHITE FOREVER GO CELTICS C’S IN 6 OVER THE SIXERS
John Drew
May 12th, 2012
1:14 am
Grandad
You’re welcome sir. If the Hawks trades Josh Smith for a first round pick and the Hawks are able to draft Andrew Nicholson, Festus Ezeli and Tony Wroten or John Jenkins, with a new GM with championship experience, the Hawks could turn the team around in a hurry.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 12th, 2012
1:16 am
BIG IVAN NEEDS TO BE THE FIRST PLAYER WE SIGN THIS OFFSEASON
Sports Facts » NBA says foul called incorrectly – FOXSports.com
May 12th, 2012
2:05 am
[...] Stay up to date with all the …NBA says foul called incorrectly against CelticsYahoo! SportsAtlanta Hawks: NBA admits blown call in Game 6 (plus notes)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)NBA says replay shows foul was called incorrectly near end of [...]
Grandad
May 12th, 2012
2:34 am
Rusty
‘`Fantasying again grandpa`’
I`m sure you mean`t fantasizing.
Be that as it may;
if i`m gonna be doin` any fantasizing,
rest assured,
it ain`t gone be about the Hawks.
No sir,
Any fantasizing by me takes at least two Brazillean swim suit models
and a spatula.
northcyde
May 12th, 2012
3:00 am
I wonder if any Hawks fan will care enough to do a “Greatest Tragedy in Sports” youtube documentary like this one done on the Kings – Lakers series in 2002.
The Hawks lost this series on their own, with the blown leads and opportunities this team had to put the Celtics away. But the final minutes of Game 6 were horrible. Not as horrible as the Kings-Lakers series, but horrible nonetheless.
With the Bulls gone, the league definitely wanted the Celtics still in the playoffs. God forbid if the Eastern Conference playoffs consisted of Miami, Atlanta, Indiana, and Philly?
The ratings for Atlanta vs Philly would break all-time low records. Surely the league wouldn’t want that. At least they could sell the “history” of Boston vs Philly. But Atlanta vs Philly? Nope.
The team still needs to be broken up, despite the bad refereeing. The league can basically take that “memo” and stuff it up their (( bleep )). I mean, unless they’re going to replay the final 3 seconds, with someone from the Hawks at the line to shoot the tech . . and then give us the ball out of bounds.
EmirS.
May 12th, 2012
4:41 am
“*find players who are willing to listen to the Coach
[otherwise they will be traded to the Turkish National Team]
-or worse … Toronto-” -Grandad
Good stuff grandad. Made me chuckle and smile.
It all goes back to this:
Joe and Josh?
Joe and Al?
Josh and Al?
Pick one set or even one player and rebuild around them. I, like many others, hope Sund retires or goes to the assumed Portland job. New GM, new coach, new mentality, new goals. 21- 61 for lottery ? Then so be it, I’m a Hawks fan for life. Always have been, always will be. Wagoners will come back, they always do.
But IMO, either JJ/Smoove, Smoove/Al, or JJ/Al we still make the playoffs. So again…pick someone and build around them.
High-sider
May 12th, 2012
6:28 am
“…Any fantasizing by me takes at least two Brazillean swim suit models
and a spatula.” – Grandad
Grandad, I’m sure you meant* Brazilian*. BTW, the word “meant” is not a contraction.
Nate ArchiBALL
May 12th, 2012
6:56 am
“Horford at 50% health was our MVP the last 2 games IMHO.”
7 — count them 7 turnovers in game six by Al…… and he’s the MVP……wow come on grandmaster
Just Joe
May 12th, 2012
8:07 am
The most likely Joe Johnson trade is still to Orlando for Turkoglu and Reddick. If Dantoni ends up there then it’s even more likely. That team will want to try a big move this summer to show Dwight some love.
Hawks could flip Reddick to Minnesota for Brad Miller’s team option and Utah’s 18th pick (if too much, then swap picks with them).
Turkoglu would be stuck with us for 2 years. He’s a decent role player though.
Marvin still needs to go to Cleveland for Luke Walton’s expiring deal (buy him out for $4.5M).
These moves save the Hawks about $12M in cap space this year.
Just Joe
May 12th, 2012
8:21 am
By the way, I want to find a way to get Dion Waiters and Fab Melo out of this draft. We could even stick with the Cuse theme and take Kris Joseph in the second round.
Waiters is my sleeper pick. He plays tough and strong at the 2. Can run some point if you need him to. Loves to push the tempo and attack the rim. If his jumper gets better (just turned 20), then look out. Put this kid next to Teague and watch the energy, defense, and pace of the game improve.
Admirable SnAckBar
May 12th, 2012
8:25 am
NBA = WWE Smackdown
zgoldatl
May 12th, 2012
8:50 am
I’m not down on Josh. I think if we bring in some big name coach that can actually earn the respect of the players, then we could win a championship with this team we have now. I would like to ask Josh what he thought of games 1 & especially 2? I was there, and there were hardly any Boston fans. When we lost 3 straight to go down 3-1, then yeah it was pretty bad for game 5. I would remind Josh that this happens to teams all over the league when Boston, LA, New York, chicago etc play at the smaller markets. The Celtics have won 18 freaking championships. Win one or bring in a big name, and we will pack the Highlight factory every night. This fan will be there if we win or lose, but its getting frustrating because we seem to be so close. We need to figure out a way to convince Josh to stay with a big deal, and trade Joe to Charlotte.
zgoldatl
May 12th, 2012
8:52 am
And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Gearon was actually right on this one. Garnett is definitely the dirtiest player in the league, and maybe we can get some calls if someone speaks out. We all know our coach won’t stand up for his team to the refs and league.
Ray
May 12th, 2012
9:00 am
You’d be a fool to give up Josh Smith at all unless you knew he was officially gone after next season.
As much of a bonehead you guys might think Josh is he is not that bonehead his IQ is much higher then you also give him credit for.
If I had to choose between watching Iso Joe or Josh jacking the jumpers I’d probably lean towards Josh jacking jumpers why because it doesn’t bog down the offense to a halt, and plus he’s gotten better at when to take those shots.
This teams problem is Joe and Marvin one of them has checked out the other is pure garbage since he came into the league.
For those screaming about Al being a boss he played like a boss for 3 games we don’t know if he would have done that all season. Before this the last two years Al disappeared on us in fact me and Big Ray plus others were in a heated debate about Al.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 12th, 2012
9:01 am
zgoldatl
May 12th, 2012
8:52 am
And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Gearon was actually right on this one. Garnett is definitely the dirtiest player in the league, and maybe we can get some calls if someone speaks out. We all know our coach won’t stand up for his team to the refs and league.
LinkReport this comment
*****
that’s the thing though. He made those comments, and we did not get a single call in game 6.
Someone like a Phil Jackson could sway the refs.
And should Gearon have been fined for his ref comments?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 12th, 2012
9:03 am
Nate ArchiBALL
May 12th, 2012
6:56 am
“Horford at 50% health was our MVP the last 2 games IMHO.”
7 — count them 7 turnovers in game six by Al…… and he’s the MVP……wow come on grandmaster
LinkReport this comment
***
he destroyed Boston in 4th and we went away from hin
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 12th, 2012
9:18 am
In next interview, Gearon will talk about how Dallas won ring but 0 playoff games this year, whereas we won 2 playoff games this year
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 12th, 2012
9:26 am
Unlikely we trade Josh soon because that’d require Sund to actually do something besides signing bench scrubs and selling picks. And I thought BASKG did make an offer about a month ago or it had been reported?
Walt Frazier
May 12th, 2012
9:29 am
Bottom Line: ASG Sucks. Get new owners, otherwise-you got 10 more years of misery.
ATLien
May 12th, 2012
9:36 am
Josh is right. You people, the supposed Atlanta Hawks fans, are pathetic. I wish we could trade you, yes you people, back to Boston, or New York or whatever other dingy northern hole you crawled down here from.
Hawks are 35 win team without Josh. Mark it down so when you idiots get your way, and again run the best player on the team out of town, and we again get some garbage like Danny Manning for him, you idiots just remember it was YOU who wanted it.
Rob
May 12th, 2012
9:49 am
“You’d be a fool to give up Josh Smith at all unless you knew he was officially gone after next season.”
Read the article. He said he wants out. He’s not resigning after next season, so you might as well sell high now and get something for him.
Rob
May 12th, 2012
9:54 am
All of you Josh Smith apologist’s unable to read or something? The man is saying HE WANTS OUT… so why are you trying to KEEP him and let him WALK after next season FOR NOTHING?
Rob
May 12th, 2012
9:57 am
“7 — count them 7 turnovers in game six by Al…… and he’s the MVP……wow come on grandmaster.”
Care to look at Josh’s shooting performance that game? 7 for 18…. while Al was 6 for 9.
John Drew
May 12th, 2012
10:10 am
ATLien
I’m from Atlanta too. I don’t blame Josh Smith for the Hawks loss, but I think his stock is at an all-time high right now. The Hawks could trade him for a decent player and a first round pick, and use that pick to draft a low post player like Andrew Nicholson. That’s what the Hawks need, a player who can get you that easy basket or draw a foul at crunch time. The Hawks don’t need players who stand around and watch iso Joe dribble right into the double team.
brigadierjerry
May 12th, 2012
10:17 am
Grandad,
The interesting thing about Gearon comments is not that the owner should be making a comment like that but Larry Drew should be making a comment about that. Larry Drew coaches the players on the sidelines not Gearon.
The thing i took away from this series and the game is that Boston looked gassed. They will be lucky to beat Philly and will get smoked by Miami.
Also one thing on Teaque. I was watching the Memphis game last night and I have liked Conley since he got drafted and he is a good floor general and plays good defense. Tegue needs to learn to play like that but I dont know if Teaque can.
Management will have to make a move to either move Johnson or Smith or Horford. I think Horford is going to stay as a Hawk. I think they will see if they have any takers for Johnson. I also think they will try to move Smith if they feel that they cannot resign him. Marvin they will either try to trade him or amnesty him. I see some tweaking the Hawks will do with this roster. I see one of either Horford Johnson Simth and Marvin will be moved.
AG
May 12th, 2012
10:23 am
thank goodness,some bloggers who make sense. the problem not josh or al. it is joe and marvin. joe gets the big bucks and gives us 17 ppg. 17 ppg is a role player. at least josh averaged 13 rbs for the series… he stepped up. what if marvin would have given us something games 1-4?