Why the Hawks’ protest will tell us much about the NBA
Were it just one game, the Hawks wouldn’t have been quite so irate. (Still mad, but less so.) But what happened in Cleveland on Wednesday must be viewed with an eye toward what happened on Dec. 19, 2007.
History lesson: The Hawks’ stat crew miscounted and ruled Shaquille O’Neal had fouled out when he hadn’t. The Miami Heat protested. The NBA ruled the final 51.9 seconds of that game had to be replayed. And, for good measure, David Stern fined the Hawks $50,000 for “gross negligence.”
By the time the replay arrived on March 8, 2008, the man in question was no longer on Miami’s roster, Shaq having been dealt to the Suns at the trade deadline. And the Hawks wound up winning anyway. Still, it was a massive embarrassment for an organization that has known a good measure of embarrassment.
And now the Hawks await their day in court, pun only partially intended. They have a strong case. A Cleveland timekeeper failed to reset his 24-second clock after Al Horford gained a defensive rebound. (According to the Hawks, the timekeeper told Mike Woodson he pushed the button twice and nothing happened.) The Hawks led by a point inside the final two minutes. They wound up having roughly 13 seconds to shoot. They never got that shot.
When Woodson saw the clock running down prematurely, he called out the code word that means, “Get the ball to Joe Johnson!” But there wasn’t time even for that. The truncated-by-half possession ended with Josh Smith fumbling a pass and LeBron James gathering up the ball and triggering a sequence that wound up with the Cavs taking the lead on Anderson Varejao’s follow.
Loading ...The Hawks would never nose back ahead. Yes, we can fault them for blowing a 17-point lead, but what happened before shouldn’t affect the NBA’s verdict. The bottom line is that the Hawks were undone at a vital juncture not by a bad play or a ref’s bad call but by a systemic malfunction — the failure of the clock to be reset — that should have been corrected on the spot. But Ken Mauer, the lead official, told Woodson he didn’t know what the coach was talking a bout. (This again according to the Hawks.)
Indeed, there were three timing errors on the sequence: First, the 24-second clock didn’t recycle; next, the refs didn’t notice that the Hawks , owing to the non-reset, had committed an apparent backcourt violation after Horford’s rebound — NBA rules hold that a team must cross halfcourt in eight seconds, and the shot clock was below 10 when they did — and finally, that the erroneous shot clock had actually expired before LeBron took possession, which should have resulted in a stoppage of play.
Loading ...Why did the refs not notice anything amiss? Why did the timekeeper not use his horn to stop play and correct his mistake? (When Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com sought to ask Mauer’s interpretation, he was handed a brusque “no comment.”) And now, if the NBA chooses to let the outcome stand, we’ll be forced to ask an even more pointed question. Namely, does the league — as is widely believed — play favorites?
Say the teams had been reversed and LeBron’s side had been harmed by the lack of a reset: Would Mauer and crew have seen it differently? And will David Stern? The Hawks have long believed Miami’s starpower — Shaq and Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley — swayed the issue back when, but here’s where the NBA gets the chance to prove it didn’t. Here’s where Stern gets to say, “We treat all our franchises equally.”
If the Heat deserved a replay two years ago — and it did — then the Hawks-Cavs ending warrants one now. And if none is forthcoming, then won’t that tell us all we need to know about the NBA and its way of doing business?
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130 comments Add your comment
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 4th, 2010
5:08 pm
Hawks are not a “sexy” team and will not win the appeal. Welcome back Mr. Kotter
Art Vandelay
January 4th, 2010
5:12 pm
I’m surprised that nobody’s brought up the phantom foul that Lebron got in the final seconds against us last year — the refs gave him 2 free throws despite the fact that nobody so much as breathed on him, and that cost us the win. This is becoming a pattern.
doc
January 4th, 2010
5:12 pm
amazing mark, three my bads by the refs in 12 seconds since they are responsible for seein ghte time keeper did its job then half court violation then the 24 second clock violation. will they be able to overlook the time keepers mea culpa of “i tried it 3 times” without notifying refs of the problem. dont they stop play immediately if a clock doesnt run during a possession to get it right rather than wait until the next time the clock is stopped. so, actually four transgressions in 12 seconds, one by the timekeeper and three by the ref crew. too funny.
geez, that game was so ugly from the referring standpoint it was like they had money on the cavs at even up. no refs dont do that do they? no the game is not crooked at all.
now, if we could just find out what nate had in his veins against the knicks we really might be able to move up the standings. surely he wasnt clean. they do drug test when guys go off like that just like landis did in the tour de france finding increased scrutiny?
Brett
January 4th, 2010
5:13 pm
another story, but similar. what about the Jordan rule for Lebron in this game. Free throws in this game: Cavs 38-15. Lebron alone had 16 FTs. Hawks were abused throughout, one was a two handed push and no call.
Steve Brown
January 4th, 2010
5:17 pm
I no longer drink the NBA Kool Aid, though I did for many years. G-d I wish I had the money I spent on decades of season tickets. Better still I should have believed my relatives (NY bookies) now deceased who hated Bob Cousy for fixing games. The players, the refs, the league, the networks-it is all about the money the rest is a fantasy some of us choose to believe in. As a kid I loved pro wrestling until I saw it up close and personal and realized it was fake. There is no business like show business.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:19 pm
You’ll be stunned, Brett, that the Hawks also were displeased to note that L. James took more free throws than they did as a team.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
January 4th, 2010
5:22 pm
I’m thinking the game will stand….if Stern starts approving appeals left and right it’s like opening a can of worms….that said the Hawks really got screwed….we do go to Cleveland again right..???
moorman
January 4th, 2010
5:22 pm
This game was a PRIME example of why david sterns was hired years ago. ANYBODY with eyes can see the NBA IS RIGGED. This game had it ALL. The refs let the cavs beat the hawks up in the paint, they NEVER call the obvious travelling on lebron, they let the obvious “clock mistake” stand, and “missed” the 2 pointer that they gave varejo 3 points credit for. The nba OBVIOUSLY sees atlanta has surpassed cleveland, and they dont want that. they want lebron in the eastern conference finals at all costs.
Art Vandelay
January 4th, 2010
5:22 pm
I’m just waiting for the paparazzi photos of Mauer, Stern and Tim Donaghy laughing over dinner and drinks to surface. Surely someone had a cell phone camera handy in this day and age.
JeJe
January 4th, 2010
5:26 pm
YES THE NBA IS RIGGED!!! WHEN THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS BEAT THE CAVS IN 4 GAMES IN THE 2007 NBA FINALS, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE NBA WANTED!
JeJe
January 4th, 2010
5:33 pm
The Hawks have surpassed Cleveland? LOL! Where do you people get these ideas from?
AGTFan
January 4th, 2010
5:34 pm
I remember being on business trip some years back in Chicago and I got to see a Bulls game. One of the opposing players was on a break-away, being chased by MJ. The only way to stop the lay-up was to grab the guy, which MJ did. And the official called the foul. When he started to signal the player the foul was on, he realized it was MJ. He stopped, looked around and called the fould on the next closest Bull, who was at half-court. I was sitting right under the goal, no more than 10-15 feet away. Even MJ looked at the ref like he was crazy. There have been different rules for super-stars as long as I can remember.
While the protest should be upheld, I’m betting it won’t be.
Welcome-Home Wagon
January 4th, 2010
5:36 pm
Welcome Back, Mark!
F-105 Thunderchief
January 4th, 2010
5:37 pm
I was funnin’ as they say where I come from, Mark.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:38 pm
We said that some in Kentucky, Thunderchief. Though I don’t recall hearing it up there last week. Too cold for funnin’.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:39 pm
Oh, and thanks, Welcome Home Wagon.
louisville slugger
January 4th, 2010
5:39 pm
Mark, I’m sure ESPN’s Chris Sheridan would appreciate your not calling him “Chris Ballard”… just sayin’…
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:40 pm
Drat. Thanks for correcting me, Slugger. I’ll fix it now. I know I hate it when people call me Schlabach.
striped shirt
January 4th, 2010
5:40 pm
Lebron and Shaq got away with obvious offensive fouls that were not called. The “officiating” (if that is what it was supposed to be) was a disgrace. I’ve seen more honest refereeing in Roller Derby and Live Atlanta Wrestling.
Ree
January 4th, 2010
5:40 pm
MB: It’s Chris Sheridan not Ballard of ESPN.
Otherwise, great article.
moorman
January 4th, 2010
5:41 pm
another thing, the nba was sending josh smith a message too. they cant have him dominating in the paint like that, the hawks just might go to the nba finals with him staying in the paint, soo, the refs have STARTED frustrating him, not calling fouls against him, call fouls on HIM, technicals, they pulled it ALL out against the cavs.
louisville slugger
January 4th, 2010
5:42 pm
And you’ll be glad to know it’s colder here in Kentucky now than it was last week…
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:43 pm
I know a coach — a college coach, but still a basketball coach — who had a team that got pretty good a few years ago, and a coach from another good team told him, “Just watch — they’ll start helping you now.” By “they,” he meant the officials.
I don’t think it’s true that the Hawks never get a call. But I do think the Lakers and Cavs and Celtics get more than the Hawks.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:44 pm
It was cold last week, Slugger. We arrived on Monday and it was snowing. We left on Saturday and it was snowing again. And then we get back home and it’s below freezing here as well.
Gmack
January 4th, 2010
5:48 pm
Art Vandelay
Thanks for the english lesson. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when I update my resume.
However the fact remains, the Hawks allowed the Cavs to man handle them down the stretch. That concerns me more than a 24 sec. clock malfunction. I am more concerned with us allowing LBJ to dominate us home and away, regular season, or playoffs.
We’ve demonstrated similar resolve with Orlando on national TV. We have yet to pass the test against elite teams on prime time TV. How do we fix that?
Art Vandelay
January 4th, 2010
5:51 pm
Moorman, I gotta disagree with you there. Josh Smith has made his own bed by constantly griping and berating the officials every time a foul is called on him (or not called when he thinks he’s been hit). Until he starts showing a little deference to the refs and controlling his temper, he’ll never get the benefit of the doubt. That’s just the way of the world, both in the NBA and anywhere else. Nobody likes a whiner — especially a whiner who tries to humiliate them in public.
JeJe
January 4th, 2010
5:52 pm
nice story, AGTFan
Art Vandelay
January 4th, 2010
5:56 pm
Gmack, it’s fair to note that LBJ has had his way with us, but you’re neglecting the fact that he’s had his way with everyone from the minute he first put on a uniform. Yes, we blew a big lead, but that’s what happens in the NBA — everyone makes a run, especially at home. It’s hard enough to slow the Cavs down when all things are equal, but when they’re on a roll AND getting blatant gifts from the officials, that’s not something that can be pointed to as a fault with the Hawks. You can’t discount the 24-second clock issue just because the Hawks were on their heels. The fact remains that we went from being up a point with the ball and 1:51 to go (plus a fresh 24) to being behind, for no reason other than complete incompetence (or blatant malfeasance — you choose) on the part of the officiating crew.
And your English has improved dramatically since your last post…keep up the good work
moorman
January 4th, 2010
5:56 pm
art, i could say you are right, but the REASON im not is this: when they start calling the games even, across the board, that means superstars get called for fouls also, THEN, i will agree with you. smith is a victim of the fact that he is NOT one of the prima donnas, thats all, if you wanna say he NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT, im in agreement with you.
jerrywest
January 4th, 2010
5:58 pm
Don’t forget how NBA waived Garnett’s suspension in the playoff against us. They had never let anybody off the hook until then.
Dr .David Wycherley
January 4th, 2010
6:26 pm
Mark, You are so right as are your readers. The NBA has always rigged the playoffs, although of course it is impossible to prove. A couple of upgrades and the NBA will rival pro-rassling.
I wonder how many of your readers are old enough to remember one of the earliest and most outrageous of the playoff fixes. The LA Lakers (with Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor) came to Atlanta play the Hawks. It was around 1968, I think. The Hawks were still playing in Alexander Memorial Coliseum at Georgia Tech. Mendy Rudolph was the referee. LA shot about 400 free throws, 390 of them whistled by the aforementioned game-fixer extraordinaire. I remember one dribble drive by Baylor. He pulled up about 15 feet from the basket on the baseline and shot a jumper. I was in the stands about 30 feet from Elgin. I was closer to him than any Hawk player.
Mendy blew his whistle and gave Elgin two free throws. There were 200 or so similar plays. The Hawks were so angry they promised blood would flow the next night. It didn’t.
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2010
6:31 pm
Mark, any possibility that the Gunsmoke episode playing out in DC supercedes any decision regarding the Hawks protest? It seems like Stern may have to prioritize the glock over the clock.
Jay
January 4th, 2010
6:36 pm
I really doubt the protest will be successful. Smith did turn the ball over, after all (yes, I know, the clock had a hand in his mistake). And if Smith had made the basket and the Hawks won the game, would we have ever heard about the mistake?
The bottom line is that the Hawks blew the game…just like they blew it against Chicago and New York. This team is lacking someone to defend scoring guards, because J.R. Smith, Lebron, and Nate Robinson all torched the Hawks for 40 in recent weeks. JJ usually gets stuck guarding the point guard, which means Craw or Bibby can be exploited. And teams are smart…if we put JJ or Marvin on the scorer, then the opponent runs a play that switches the defender, so that we get to see Bibby get dusted by Robinson, or Crawford stand aside Lebron.
JeJe
January 4th, 2010
6:38 pm
Great post Jay
perk
January 4th, 2010
6:39 pm
Mark: Great article with basic facts. Any way to get some of your ‘national’ friends (ESPN, FOX, etc) to run with this one and get a level playing field?
NoleRick
January 4th, 2010
6:47 pm
Keep it going Mark!! I just keep thinking that this is going to get swept under the rug.
F Troop
January 4th, 2010
6:48 pm
Glad somebody else has caught on! Gave up on the NBA last year ago after several outrageous calls in LeBron’s games. It’s harder to watch now cause the calls he gets are far worse than the one’s Jordan used to get – and Jordan used to get the most ridiculous “cause I’m MJ” BS calls, it’d raise your blood pressure.
Now, I just laugh at the AUTOMATIC “LeBron whistles” on every single drive he makes to the hole – regardless of who initiates contact, or whether there was contact at all. I’ve had enough.
NBA = WWE with a backboard.
Robbie
January 4th, 2010
6:49 pm
Mark, do you feel that Lebron gets more fouls called because of who he is? This seems to be a trend when the Hawks take on the Cavs. That regradless of whether it was a foul or not, Lebron gets the call, and gets to the line on phantom fouls.
moorman
January 4th, 2010
6:50 pm
jay, you are right, the hawks backcourt defense, is, well, there is NONE. lol. the guards allow too much dribble penetration. this wouldnt be a deal breaker if smith had help inside with help defense. pachulia is a waste, williams is a waste, etc. they need another big to help smith out while horford is busy handling the 5.
Peter
January 4th, 2010
6:58 pm
Mark..This will be an interesting decision by the NBA……..I will no longer be really interested in this league of thugs, if the decision to not replay the game from when Al got the rebound.
I also believe this game, and the game against the Knick’s is the perfect reason to let the coach go…..Very poor ball movement on O…In fact do we have an O at all ?
moorman
January 4th, 2010
7:01 pm
peter, that little guy, used to coach dallas, avery johnson, should be coaching the hawks right now. he would have them playing defense, and more movement on the o as you say.
willie martinez
January 4th, 2010
7:09 pm
Mark, perhaps I should put my cap in the ring??
Dawgdad
January 4th, 2010
7:15 pm
It is not quite that bad yet, but the NBA is almost like pro wressling. Compare the pro rasslin ref’s inability to find the foreign object one rassler is using to poke the other rassler to the NBA ref who never notices the fouls committed by Labron when Josh Smith drives to the basket and is hammered while trying to get off a shot. Labron rebounds and drives down the court to get the basket and a foul on the shot. The hometown fans cheer and the NBA counts its bucks.
PMC
January 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
The protest should be upheld. The protest will be dismissed, because protesting is always utterly futile. The league doesn’t care whether you got screwed by the refs or not. They are always going to back thier employees.
That said, it’s worse that the Hawks blew that lead in the first place and the guy taking 15 ft jump shots clanking on the rim yet again….Josh freaking Smith whose jump shot goes in about as frequently as a Shaquille O Neil free throw or an eclipse of the moon.
Joe Johnson who they pay like a star…. is almost always absent when it comes to hitting those clutch shots at the end of games. Nice piece Joe Johnson… far from a superstar difference maker.
willie martinez
January 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
Remember what Ted Turner said when he fired Bobby Cox? If i wasnt firing him he’d be the guy i would hire.
appears i’m in the same situation. willie
Ramblin' Wreck
January 4th, 2010
7:38 pm
FIRST!!
gcs
January 4th, 2010
7:40 pm
OH MY! Rule against His Holiness LeBron James on His birthday (capitalization intended)? I think you’ll get a traveling call on Kobe before that happens.
..
Saint Richt
January 4th, 2010
7:45 pm
Fired MIke Woodson!!!!!!!!!!
Justin
January 4th, 2010
7:48 pm
Mark,
Glad that you called a spade a spade with this article. Somebody needed to say (publicly) just what you said. Hopefully the NBA will stop ignoring the pink elephant in the room that is preferential officiating, with Exhibit A in Cleveland.
DawgMan
January 4th, 2010
8:03 pm
We rund this state!