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
Damon
January 4th, 2010
4:10 pm
First
Larry
January 4th, 2010
4:12 pm
FIRST
Gilley
January 4th, 2010
4:14 pm
Great read! Glad someone is holding the NBA accountable because that was ridiculous. If things get close in the end of the playoffs ranking then games like this will definitely matter!
Hawksfan
January 4th, 2010
4:15 pm
Thank you MB. I thought the exact same thing and I bet you anything the protest will be dismissed. As long as Stern is the commish things will never change.
Larry
January 4th, 2010
4:15 pm
OK, second and I have NEVER been that close before, lol! It will NOT be replayed because we are the ATLANTA HAWKS and NOT the LA LAKERS, CAVS, CELTICS, MAGIC, SPURS, etc… The NBA is definitely biased towards it’s SUPERSTARS and SUPERSTAR teams. If Josh Smith had thrown his hands up in a temper tandrum like LBJ did in that game after a foul was called on him, what do think would have happened? TECHNICAL FOUL for sure……….but NOT on King James or Kobe or Garnett, etc…
Gilley
January 4th, 2010
4:16 pm
Thanks Mark for holding the NBA accountable. If the playoff seeding gets close at the end of the season, games like this will matter and should not be ignored or swept under the rug by David Stern and company. Fair is Fair and Right is Right.
Damon
January 4th, 2010
4:17 pm
Haha I beat you Larry. You suck at life.
Mark, submit this to the NBA
Terrell
January 4th, 2010
4:17 pm
Somebody’s going to come on here and say, ‘well, if the Hawks hadn’t given up that 17 point lead then they wouldn’t have had to worry about that.’ Last I checked the Cavs were a pretty good team and good teams make comebacks. That’s just a part of the ebbs and flows of the game. As a matter of fact, the Cavs came back more than once and the Hawks were able to push the lead every time. If there wasn’t thr shot clock malfunction who is to say Atl wouldn’t had done it again?
If they decide to do nothing about this, your right MB, it would show what the majority of us have seen all along.
Jamesr1991
January 4th, 2010
4:18 pm
Mark you are kidding, right? King James walks among the elite. He and his franchise shall not be pestered by such drival. Besides Lord Stern will find a way to fine the Hawks for bringing it up.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:18 pm
Kudos, Damon. But I offer this gentle request: Be magnanimous in victory.
Reid Adair
January 4th, 2010
4:19 pm
Mark, you are exactly right. This was a perfect example of mismanaging a game by the officials and the clock operator. How the NBA rules on the Hawks’ appeal will be a telling sign of whether it’s all about the elite teams or they are truly interested in fairness.
I don’t want to say which one I think will happen.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:20 pm
One thing I have learned, Terrell: A good team playing at home always makes a run. Always.
Jerry
January 4th, 2010
4:22 pm
What happens if they do redo it? Do the hawks get the ball with a 1 point lead and 2 minutes left?
Do you think it will be upheld mark?
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:23 pm
I think there’s a chance it will be, Jerry, because the timing error so clearly affected the game. And I would imagine the Hawks would indeed get the ball with 1:55 remaining and that one-point lead.
F-105 Thunderchief
January 4th, 2010
4:23 pm
Seems to me the only just thing is to award the win to the Hawks.
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 4th, 2010
4:25 pm
Welcome back and totally agree and don’t forget the scorekeeper putting extra point on the board during the Hawks timeout after a homecourt three pointer.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:27 pm
Can’t give them the win, Thunderchief, because the error occurred with so much time remaining. It wouldn’t be the same as waving off a basket at the final horn.
Jerry
January 4th, 2010
4:27 pm
Well if they made us do it with miami, then the same should happen. i watched that game with the sound down while playing with my son and didn’t notice it. Unbelievable this was allowed to happen. Did the hawks announcers catch it? Without sound, I couldn’t tell. That game was huge to the hawks mental mind as witnessed by their loss to the knicks after. I just can’t believe the refs didn’t do anything. You know they knew what was happened. Makes you think even more they are told to give help to the teams with superstars.
Dap01
January 4th, 2010
4:28 pm
Thank you MB for writing on the obvious. The NBA is losing credibility and this case will go along ways to verifying that loss.
The NBA’s treatment of King James is sickening!
Jerry
January 4th, 2010
4:29 pm
Good point chef. That was a 2 pointer. Before the ball left his hand, his foot did move over the line.
balismith
January 4th, 2010
4:29 pm
nba has always played favorites. star league where the star players and the star teama always get the best players …nba and the wwa play by the same rules
Jerry
January 4th, 2010
4:31 pm
Also how many times did a hawk player get fouled and nothing was called yet whenever cleveland goes down, they seem to get the calls in the critical moments of the game. Disgusting.
Thomas Freeman
January 4th, 2010
4:34 pm
Of course Stern will dismiss it. This is a man who fixed the lottery so the Knicks could get Ewing, made sure the Lakers beat Sacremento in ‘02, fixed the Heat-Mavericks finals so he wouldn’t have to hand Mark Cuban the trophy, let his buddy move the Sonics, with a great 40-plus year history in Seattle, to Oklahoma City, and has let officiating negligence become so commonplace that a ref can bet on games and nobody even notices. He has ruined the NBA and will always favor the stars. In his mind, Lebron deserves a win on his birthday and it’s the officials’ job to make it happen.
Joe's place Joe speaking
January 4th, 2010
4:34 pm
Good point Terrell! They did ( cavs ) make a comeback several times but Atlanta stayed strong and stayed on top. Who’s to say it wouldn’t have happened again. And great post mark!
dub366
January 4th, 2010
4:36 pm
I have always that said it Atlanta Teams do not get the respect that the other elite do.
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 4th, 2010
4:38 pm
Alas friends an neighbors this travesty will not trump the 9 scoreless minutes the night before, iso game to Joe down the stretch in both games and another stinky lost to a lesser team in the Knicks.
IMO, Woodson can’t draw up effective half court game plays.
74 Dawg
January 4th, 2010
4:39 pm
This isfunny. Talking about NBA officiating and rules is like talking bout military intelligence: it’s a contradiction of terms. I used to love Skip Caray calling the Hawks on radio mainly because of the way he eviscerated the refs. I do not consider NBA basketball to be a sport anymore, and seldom watch. It’s more just scripted entertainment, like “professional wrestling”. Or wrassling, if you prefer.
StockDog
January 4th, 2010
4:41 pm
Great article Mark, I thought that I was the only one pissed off about the shot clock error. Watching it live, the first thing I thought about was the Miami game do over. However, ATL doesn’t have a superstar coach and player so the NBA will sweep it under the rug.
Their explanation will be that in the Miami case the ATL statistician made a mistake that is attributable to the team. They will saw the problem in Cleveland was shot clock malfunction and that it should have been corrected at that time. The fact that the Hawks did not call a time out to correct the malfunction made it impossible to correct it now.
It is all B.S. but the NBA will try to sell us this crap so they won’t have inconvience LBJ.
Jesse
January 4th, 2010
4:41 pm
I haven’t watched an NBA game since the Hawks/Cavs game in Cleveland. The calls in that game were so one-sided that it felt more like pro-wrestling than real competition, and the shot clock error only compounded that feeling (the Cavs shot 38 freethrows, the Hawks shot only 15 – and the Hawks are among the league leaders in points in the paint, so it’s not like they just shoot jumpshots all the time).
Basically, the general message I got from that game is that the Hawks will not be given a fair chance to beat Lebron, Dwight, or the Celtics come playoff time. I may see things differently if the NBA lets the Hawks replay the game (or if I get bored once football season ends), but for now I’m taking a break from the NBA.
74 Dawg
January 4th, 2010
4:42 pm
At least the wrasslers don’t come armed with guns. Not sure where they would put them anyway,with those tights. Do you think the NBA will ever go to tights Mark?
74 Dawg
January 4th, 2010
4:43 pm
Maybe a Kobe – Lebron Cage Match
DTC
January 4th, 2010
4:44 pm
You know Mark, as long as you are not discussing UGA, you sometimes makes sense. Sometimes.
Gmack
January 4th, 2010
4:45 pm
I the Hawks had played defense a little bit they when the game. However they spent the next 2 min. crying about a fail clock reset. They lost the game because they respect star players too much. Quit letting Lebron hit you in the mouth everytime you play him. He keeps bullying the Hawks and they won’t hit back. They won 2 out of 3 last year sweep them in the playoffs and 2 losses this season. Quit running like girls and fight Atlanta then the NBA will respect your plea until then you loss the game. Move on!
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:46 pm
From baggy trunks to tights: I see a new trend, 74 Dawg.
John
January 4th, 2010
4:48 pm
Man there is some horrible english on this blog. Go get your ged people. Jeez.
StockDog
January 4th, 2010
4:55 pm
Sorry John, I meant say and not “saw”. Just a typo on a blog, get a life.
WonderDawg
January 4th, 2010
4:56 pm
Thanks for this, Mark. Attention Hawks fans. Go to NBA.com, click on “contact us” and send an e-mail addressing this situation. Who knows, it may help the Hawks appeal…
Michael
January 4th, 2010
4:57 pm
So when will an edict be handed down from the front office?
Damon
January 4th, 2010
4:57 pm
Haha my bad, MB. Apologies to Larry. I have finally won! Lmao. Go Hawks and sorry again!
Damon
January 4th, 2010
4:58 pm
Interested to hear the outcome of the Mavs/Rockets appeal, a game also officiated by the amazing Kenny Mauer
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
4:59 pm
That’s OK, Damon. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment of being “first.”
David Smith
January 4th, 2010
4:59 pm
David Stern has ridden the coattails of his superstars ever since he took over as commissioner of the NBA. If he doesn’t overturn this ruling it will only prove what many people have already know for years and that is if your star player isn’t a superstar you won’t get the calls in this league.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:00 pm
And Damon, don’t think the Hawks haven’t noticed the presence of Mauer in that other appeal.
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:01 pm
Michael, I’d guess we’d know something by next week. But that’s just a guess.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
January 4th, 2010
5:02 pm
Good read, and glad you are back writing. I was watching that game and screaming at my television and my sons were asking me why I was so mad at the TV. I could read the ref’s lips when they were huddled and he said “I don’t know what (your are or they are) talking about.” How could he not? Fact is they were negligent and the game from that point forward should be replayed.
If the NBA let’s this stand we will know that they DO NOT treat their franchises equally.
Michael
January 4th, 2010
5:03 pm
I don’t know if anyone saw the Sports Center/ESPN coverage of the clock error because there was none. As Mark brings up in this article, you wonder what would have happend if it happend to precious LeBron?
I suspect it would be leading off sports center, come up as a topic on PTI/Around the horn and have some NBA expert to come on the night edition of sports center to tell us all how something wasn’t handed to LeBron.
Mark, may we forward this article to some of that Cleveland press that loves you so dearly after your comments about their town during the playoffs last year?
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:04 pm
Thanks, Mitch. I’m obliged. It’s nice to be back.
Art Vandelay
January 4th, 2010
5:04 pm
So, Gmack — just to be clear, are you suggesting that since Cleveland won the majority of the games between these two teams last year that the appeal should be rejected? Lovely logic there. And lovely English too: “…until then you loss the game.”
By the way, the comma key is just to the left of to the period. Get familiar with it before your next job interview…I can only imagine what your résumé must look like.
WonderDawg
January 4th, 2010
5:06 pm
The refs are so bad when King James gets in the lane. He gets “phantom” fouls called all of the time. The ball goes back up the court and those same refs let Josh get knocked to the deck with no call. And in the Cavs game in ATL, King James himself called a walk on J Crawford. He is indeed, The King…..
Mark Bradley
January 4th, 2010
5:07 pm
You’re right, Michael. I’ve pretty much blown my chance to hold elective office in that fair city again in 2010.
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!
Volman
January 4th, 2010
8:08 pm
THANK YOU FOR FINALLY WRITING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MR. BRADLEY!!! Sorry for the caps… The Atlanta media needs to absolutely BLAST the NBA for this crap.
College Ref
January 4th, 2010
8:14 pm
the clock malfunctions in NBA games far more tnan you realize. The scorekeepers screw up. The refs screw up. Clock malfunctions have happened in the NBA Finals before (2006). The nba does nothing.
They cant uphold this , IMHO, because if they did, almost every game could be protested
moorman
January 4th, 2010
8:43 pm
guess hawks still thinking about that game. they getting blown out in miami.
MOBOMAN
January 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
I thought I was the only one who saw the foul descrepancies and the uncalled traveling on LBJ. Not to mention the phantom foul calls, and the time he plowed over Jsmoothe and no charge was called. The clock fiasco was the icing on the cake. Especially the full face shot of Mauer saying to the other refs “I dont know what they are talking about!” No way this game can be ignored.
MOBOMAN
January 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
Im reminded of a HAWKS game soon after they moved to Atlanta. During a game much like this one, Richie Guerin, the coach, later related that he told one of the refs “You know, we are actually allowed to win this game too.”
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 4th, 2010
9:47 pm
Namely, does the league — as is widely believed — play favorites?
At least since the days when they let Julius Irving travel on his layups.
Mark,
Welcome back from your hiatus, er…….vacation.
MyView
January 4th, 2010
10:01 pm
Even if the game is replayed, I think that the damage has already been done. The Hawks have had a hangover since and have been playing some awful basketball. Tonight in Miami is a continuation of that. I truly believe that if that clock error had not been made, and the Hawks had held off the Cavs for the Win, then the momentum would have lifted them to a home win vs the Knicks and they would have fought harder in Miami. As things stand now, the Hawks are killing all the early season momentum that they had established.
Mike Woodson was a shoe-in for a contract extension. If the Hawks dont regain their focus soon, that too could be in serious jeopardy
O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
10:38 pm
Mr. Bradley,
Do you still think now is a good time for the Hawks to give Woody his contract extension?
I have always agreed with Sund waiting until after the playoffs, because the playoffs will tell us all we need to know about the Hawks and Woody.
MitchC
January 4th, 2010
10:39 pm
Mark, I dont live in Atlanta area, so I didnt see the game, but if the refs were wrong with how they handled this, then the protest should be upheld, and the game restarted and replayed from the time the problem happened, until what would be the end of the game.
If I had to guess, I would say the Hawks protest will be dismissed. This isn’t L.A., or Kobe Bryant, and this game wont be one that will determine the NBA title. If one looks at how the Hawks are playing lately, which is pathtetic, they will probably say “Whining, reeling team trying to steal a win on a tehnicality”, whether the Hawks have a case, or not.
Maybe I’m megative, but I doubt the error will be admitted, and that there will be a reset of the game.
Freddy
January 4th, 2010
11:05 pm
Hawks are on a DOWNWARD SPIRAL. Josh Smith needs to quit whining and play ball
heartofdarkness
January 4th, 2010
11:08 pm
Mark, so important to know which way the officials were “invested” on the game in question. One must remember to adhere to “investment discipline” where the NBA is involved. Eighty percent winners,… that’s mind boggling.
fork
January 5th, 2010
12:01 am
Stick me in the Atlanta Hawks.
Willie Coyote
January 5th, 2010
10:44 am
We already know how the NBA does business. The way teams are constantly cheated is an embarrassment to professional sports.
Brad
January 5th, 2010
11:31 am
Thanks for writing this, Mark. However, I am very surprised that it’s taken the AJC this long to write an article about it.
Vic
January 5th, 2010
2:47 pm
I’ve been saying for years that Woodson needed to go. The only plays he calls are for Johnson and Crawford on isolation plays and lets them break down the defense. Even when your name is Kobe, that’s not an efficient offense. The other teammates stand around watching a forced shot, or they end up shooting a jumper at the end of the shot clock. There are plenty of good coaches the Hawks should have gotten last season. Now that his contract is over, hopefully Woodson will be let go, so we can see the true development of a basketball team.
jc_dawgs
January 5th, 2010
6:47 pm
Ever since this bad call…the Hawks appear to be in a virtual nosedive. Has the team given up? Do they feel like it is hopeless to be a Hawk because the refs wont let you win if you are? I have waited since the Dominique days for a good team to return and imo…it has.
So are bad attitudes going to emerge now? Will Joe Johnson opt out of Atlanta at the end of the year….and the rest along with Woodson’s job come tumbling down?
As an Atlanta fan….that seems to be the direction we are now going.
Ron D.
January 6th, 2010
8:50 am
You are on point…
Atlanta Hawks - Page 17 - iSTORYA.NET
January 6th, 2010
10:00 am
[...] actually expired before LeBron took possession, which should have resulted in a stoppage of play. Full story ———– Hawks' four-game slide spurs players-only meeting "It's just a lack of [...]
cdog
January 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
I TOLD EVERYONE GOING INTO THAT SERIES THAT THE OFFICIALS WERE GOING TO ROB THE HAWKS. IN THEIR EYES, THE HAWKS WERE SUPPOSE TO LOSE SO THATS HOW THEY CALLED THE GAME. I KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN.SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THOSE CREWS..BUT STILL, THE HAWKS ARE NOT PLAYING LIKE THEY ARE CAPIBLE OF PLAYING PLUS RICK SUND’S STUBBORNESS TO ADD A QUALITY BIG MAN WILL HURT THEM IN THE PLAYOFFS IN SERIES AGAINST CLEVELAND AND ORLANDO.
Blake
January 7th, 2010
4:39 am
“In its statement, the NBA said “Commissioner Stern determined that the referees’ decision to assess a technical foul on Dampier was a judgment call, and not a misapplication of the playing rules, which cannot successfully be protested under NBA rules.” – In response to denying the protest of the Rockets/Mavs game.
I think this helps us because the shot clock error is clearly a misapplication of the playing rules which presumably can successfully be protested under NBA rules.
Joseph
January 7th, 2010
3:00 pm
MB, if were only the shot clock “malfunction” I could believe in simple human error. Let us not forget the late 3 pointer that was actually a 2 (toe was on the line from every angle), or the dunk over Josh and then the taunt (Cleveland was teed up and then….the T ws mysteriously revered), or the obvious fouls all night long against Cleveland in the lane that were never called (two were so obvious with Josh the victim I was stunned). The Hawks could have won if they ONLY had a shot clock malfunction but it seems, and I hate conspiracy theories mind you, that this was just a desperate attempt to change the game dynamics……..hopefully Overlord Stern will see it as so….and do the right thing.
Eric C.
January 7th, 2010
9:03 pm
Great article!!!
Coach D
January 8th, 2010
1:33 pm
I concur wholeheartedly.
N.-ational
B.-usiness
A.-ssociation
Got to put your “best” product out there to be noticed. If only the Hawks could afford to get a truely league-wide superstar so that we can get the “star power” calls that obvioulsy we aren’t getting now. The refs hate Josh Smith.
JD
January 9th, 2010
11:45 am
David Stern is an egotistical a-hole. When he came to the league I was one that praised the move. Boy, was I wrong. He road Magic, Bird, and Jordan’s tail all the way to money top and he is arrogant enough to really believe he brought the NBA back. Roger Goodell has quickly shown what a Commish should be like. Instant respect from top to bottom. Goodell will go down in history as the best Commish in sports. Take notice David “I love my superstar players and I will get tissue for them whenever they cry” Stern.
Please tell: Will someone please tell LeBron James to stop that stupid a** dancing and show respect to the other team and show kids that are watching that pregame warm-ups are serious for all team players. He’s only doing now to try and show that he was not trying to embarass the Bulls. Too late Lebron your PR people screwed this up. He could have simply apologized to the Bulls and used that as a learning tool to talk to younger players about the seriousness of preparation and not showboating. He is a role model to some kids whether we think bad or good. They will listen. I know people will say he’s young and still maturing. He’s been around older and wiser players long enough to know better. Magic Johnson made a moral off the court mistake that he admitted to. I can’t ever recall Magic doing crap like that even during his teams battles with Bird and the Celtics. Peyton Manning just won his 4th MVP and you never see him showboating or disresprcting his opponent with antics. Be smart LeBron. The kids are looking.
Another please tell: Will someone please tell Josh Smith to get tougher and stronger when he wants the ball and quit crying and getting T’d up and stopping the teams momentum or giving the other team momentum. The Hawks really need to start sitting him down immediately when he does that. He really looks like the neighborhood kid that gets upset and wants to take his ball home. Not picking on you Josh. You have the talent to get even when that happens. Just be smart and do it wisely. That will kill the other team more so because then they will know they can’t talk about rattling you during their pregame and halftime pep talks.
HawkFan
January 9th, 2010
10:43 pm
hey it was wrong it should be upheld, but it was Cleveland and it was the big star man’s team just like calls that always go their way this will also… what a shame…..
HawkFan
January 9th, 2010
10:46 pm
one other thing Hawks seem to have Bostons number we will find out Monday…. Even though I think they are a great team I just don’t see them having the mental toughness to stay with Orlando, and Cleveland.. I hope that I am wrong but from the past 2 Cleveland games and tonight’s Orlando game along with the past 4 I don’t see it happening… go hawkkkkss!!!!
HawkFan
January 9th, 2010
10:47 pm
one other thing Hawks seem to have Bostons number we will find out Monday…. Even though I think they are a great team I just don’t see them having the mental toughness to stay with Orlando, and Cleveland.. I hope that I am wrong but from the past 2 Cleveland games and tonight’s Orlando game along with the past 4 I don’t see it happening… go hawkkkkss!!!!!
King Fish Stevens
January 9th, 2010
10:58 pm
This proves that the NBA is getting to be like live rasslin.
Kevin
January 10th, 2010
6:48 am
Time fire coach its no excuse to lose to a team that is hurt by 32 pts but smith n woodson are all friends…ha ha…sorry team fadein like do no owners get top notch players n we need a new head coach woodson is awfull again! Bye Bye Hawks like the thrashers both GM play role in teams downplay also
FeudFinder
January 10th, 2010
10:52 am
I think David Stern will give the Hawks the benefit after looking at the evidences.