Referee assignments for tonight

nice ....looks like we got the A team of sucky refs

well if there was any doubt the lakers were gunna be handed game 3, the nba has cleared that up with crawford and salvatore...hopefully now kobe and pau wont be so pissy now that everything will go their way in LA

With the history of these three characters how do they get this game? Two of the worst calls in playoff memory are owned by Salvatore and Wunderlich.
Is this a setup by Stearn so that when this game is handed to LA to extend the series, and of course inflate the $$$ income he can again apologize for the terrible calls? With of course a wink!. Early in the 2nd game Kobe, not my favorite rapist, was being mauled by the C's and got nary a call. Leon was at the line all night. We know that will be reversed in LA, Pierce will get mauled and not a call his way. Kobe will feel a gentle breeze and shoot two. Why play 7. One game on a neutral court like the Super Bowl. It looks like some of these officials actually believe that thousand of fans spend big bux on tickets and travel and hotels and food to come only to watch them perform.
Perhaps we need a Senate investigation[call Spector quick] as to why it is rare for a visiting team to
win on the road in the playoffs? Same players, same ball, same game, same
rules [ooops maybe not]. Bag job? Yup..bag job

Salvatore? The Celtics are screwed. Aren't there any good referees in the NBA who don't carry grudges? Sheesh.

It would be great if they just had the same crew officiate the whole series. That would add a badly needed consistency to the calls, so everyone would be on the same page by around game 3 or 4. I'm no Laker fan, but the difference in calls between game 1 and 2 was ridiculous, especially if you are the Lakers. Joe Crawford, Bennet Salvatore and Kenny Mauer are the worst refs in terms of consistency and just plain being blind to things happening right in front of their eyes.

A real All-Star team of referees. Congratulations to the NBA and David Stern, you have really outdone yourselves.

You bunch of whiners.........if the Lakers win, it is only because of the officials?!?!?!?!?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

GOT YOU WHERE WE WANT
Two games have passed, what can I say
The Celtics held serve, they came to play
It’s not as if this is something brand new
To the Spurs we also once lost the first two.
But then what happened, is cold and deep
The Lakers won four in a row and did sweep.
The referees let the Celts, get away with anything
Cause the Celtis are the East Coast media darlings.
Now we’re back at home and Celtics we say to you
Your @ss is in trouble if that’s the best you can do
You had us down by over 20 points or more
Yet in only 6 minutes we almost tied the score.
You hacked and slapped, yet no fouls were called on you
If we even breathed on your @ss the Refs. Gave you 2.
A Freakin Leon Pow, can get to the line 13 times
Yet the entire Laker team, only get’s there for a dime.
Well this crap is over and this crap is through
If we’re gonna get a foul, your @ss will feel it too.
No more Mr. Nice Guy, you freaking green slime
It is now officially Arizza and Black Mamba time.
You got a punk called the Truth who likes wheelchairs
Well you lying lil creep, when we finish you’ll need medicare.
You got a bald headed stringbean called the Big Ticket
At the end of this series his yell won’t be so wicked.
And Doc, Oh Doc your substitutions still stink
When 9Rings finishes with your mind, you’ll need a shrink
Your have a bald headed slime, who dares be call Jesus
God don’t like ugly, that’s why he is with us
This Dynasty can not be stopped nor can it be derailed
At the end of this game you will think you were in Hell
So the “TRUTH” of the matter is your man is a punk
On his @ss all night, the Black Mamba will dunk
And after these 3 games are over and through
Use that Big Ticket to fan, your @ss that’s black & blue
Then the real Jesus will say, Boston Celtics to thee
The way the Lakers whipped your @ss is blasphemy
And one last thing, to show we aint mad at you
You can pick up the @ss we kicked, when the series is through

Maybe they will call fair in the late minutes of the game wen it counts. or if possible for them, the whole game

The suckiest bunch of sucks who ever sucked.

This is a disaster waiting to happen. I envision these three sitting at the Beverly Hills Hotel right now sipping Scotch & waters at 9:00 AM with Lakers jerseys on & they are flipping a coin on which Celtics player(s) they want to eject in the 2nd qtr.

Is there any real doubt that David Stern and his aparachniks keep tighter control over the NBA than Putin does with the Kremlin? Most of the time the networks don't even replay the bad calls and it appears as if the announcers have been told to essentially shut up about them. There is no way that networks and their high-priced advertisers want a four game series and Stern is right there with them. The NBA... it's fraud-tastic.

its pretty sad when refs have shady reps and we all know it. something is wrong with this picture. the celtics are screwed. we are going to need a 20pt 4th q lead again.

My interest in the NBA is finally back, but they make it difficult. I'll be shocked if tonight is not an LA blowout. How can you suspend Crawford and have him in the Finals the next year? Salvatore? What a joke. That call on Pierce versus Detroit should have put him out for the year. No sense in tuning in until Game 5 when, maybe, there will be a fair chance of taking a game in LA. The NBA is clearly the worst officiated sport of the "Big 4" (does hockey still count?).

Thank God we aren't getting that hack Delaney.

The Radmanovic travel was a thing of beauty (*sarcasm*). He literally jog 2 steps from BEYOND the 3 point line. Referees who miss such an obvious travel shouldn't be refereeing the FINALS. Is this the NBA's cream of the crop or they get the job because of seniority?

Despite the decent celtics record with these guys refing - they are something like 1-4 in road games with them officiating. Salvatore is a big time home crowd player. I'd be curious to see the stats associated with wins/losses of the home team when Salvatore is refing in the 2008 playoffs. I bet the home team is like 12-2 or something like that.

Bottom line - the C's don't stand a chance tonight in game 3 because these bozos are going to have Ray Allen and Perk in foul trouble early on, and Kobe will be at the line 15 times. Its a given.

Bill Simmons called this one in his latest column:
"If you're a Lakers fan, take solace in the fact you'll get every call at the Staples Center if the crowd shows up; not only do these things have a way of coming around, but if Bennett Salvatore doesn't officiate Game 3, it will be the biggest sports upset of this century."

Combined our beloved Celts are 6-5 with these refs. I'm making a bold statement Celts win by 10. Refs will make some questionable calls however the Celts bench along with the Big 3 make the difference.

We know the NBA is staged entertainment so LA takes at least 2 out the next 3 .
the series goes back to Boston. I really think the acting by the players has gotten better each year. Bryant will get many calls and points LA leading his team. He is also proving to the general public that he NOT the player Michael Jordan was.
Please stop the comparisons.

Well, the refereeing can't be any worse then Game 2.

Why do they assign a ref who blew a call so bad they publicly apologized? It's all about seniority and nothing at all about merit. This is one HUGE reason the NBA lacks credibility with sports fans. I wonder why Donaghy lost his job.

I hate the Lakers a lot. It looked like the refs did also that last game. Good bye Lakers. I don't care how you go. The NBA has chosen Boston to be kings this year. It has been decided.

Why does anyone watch the NBA anymore? The WWF (WWE?) is so much more entertaining and only slightly more ridiculous.

The Lakers foul. The refs called the fouls. Boston did not complain not one time about officiating in the Atlanta, the Cleveland, and the Detroit series. All of a sudden, the refs called a bad game and that's why the C's won. Give me a break.
As far as the ref for game 3, Crawford, Salvatore, Wonderlu... , the C's just need to keep playing regardless of the score.

There was a sportwriter in LA who was on sportsradio last week and said he could predict which referees would work in which games, he said tha the NBA gets 80 million in TV money per game over 4. And he stated that the NBA will place referrees that are either histroicaly home team people or away team people based on the need to push the finals to 7 games to maximize the Leagues money.
I guess the bottom line is does anyone doubt that the NBA commisioner would do something that cant be questioned by an outside source, and that would get his office upwards of 100 to 180 million dollars of unchallenged revenue?
Simply put, the celtics will lose tonight and the ref's will influence the outcome based on thier histories and proclivities, cause David Stern wants it that way.
P.S. My two cents is that the celtics will lose at least one person, probably perkins, to fouling out by halfway through the 4th quarter, and there will be at least 2 technicals against the celtics probably one against pierce and one against either perkins or doc rivers. that you can take to the bank. Tomorrow we wil have LA fans telling us it was justified and they got te calls they didnt get the other night in game 2. of course the traveling constantly by kobe and radmonivich (sp), non calls, dont mean a thing. So as im sure will be said a lot today. we have no chance of winning this tonight, The league needs its poster boy Kobe to look good. This isnt about basketball, this is all about Marketing. Kobe sells, Leon powe, who is a rolemodel for everyone for what he has endured and become, well he is just a footnote in the NBA money machine. the only equaltion that matters is Lakers + Celtics = $$$ , and the fans are the ones paying the price.
So lakers fan, come on down, make your it aint over speeches, talk smack about anything you wish, after all, your victory tonight is already bought and paid for. and the fans are stuck paying the bill. One more sport ruined by corporate greed. Soon there wont be any honest sports left. anyone know if the Pro bowlers tour is on soon? or maybe ping pong?

sad day when people can predict who the refs will be because the league is so fixed. How does Stern still runs this league? When's his senate hearing?

The key for the Celts tonight is to not get rattled by the one-sided officiating early on (let's face it--that's the way it's going to be tonight).

If they stay within themselves and don't complain/whine like L.A. does on EVERY call, then they can overcome the early momentum and make a game of it.

Remember, these refs are human....if you're constantly whining and bitching the way the Lakers do on every call, then the refs are going to be less likely to give you a few "make up" calls later in the game.

If you shut up and take it, they might reverse things a little as the game progresses.

And again Laker fans, I ask you: are you willing to give back the 2002 title that the refs stole away from Sacramento?

No?

Then shut the h-e-double hockey sticks-up about the officiating!!

check the free throw disparity when LA played utah at home . it was 44-13 or something. Phil jackson didnt seem ridiculed then

Typical Boston fans - pleased as punch when the refs are calling the first two games your way, then bitching and moaning 9 hours before the tip-off of a road game. Yeah, if you lose it'll be the refs' fault. Brilliant. L.A. has the guts to call it like it is - we played like c**p in the first two games, and we lost. Our fault. Even still the Lakes nearly pulled off an epic comeback in Game 2. But you don't hear them whining about free throws costing the game. Sure, Jackson and Kobe both commented on the criminal disparity in calls on Sunday (38-10, for chrissake) but the team is shouldering full blame for the losses. Boston, on the other hand, is already finding other people to blame. Even before you lose. Even before the game starts. It'll be all the officials' fault. Big conspiracy. Revenue's finally up after two decades of decline, and Stern wants 7 games. NBA is in the sponsors' pockets. The Fish call in the Spurs game was premeditated.

Yeah, and the Sox didn't win a series for 80 years because of a "curse."

No other city on the planet crows as much when it's winning, and whines as much when it's losing. When your teams are losing, there's enough self-pity in Beantown to fuel a rehab clinic. Enjoy your trifecta while it lasts, you'll be back at the bottom soon enough.

The disparity in fouls called in Game 2 wasn't that much (28-21). If the Lakers actually had the balls to drive the lane every now and then maybe they would've gone to the stripe a few more times. It still won't matter, C's win tonight in a blowout. They will push the Lakers around underneath with Powe, Perk, Brown and KG. The Lakers couldn't get physical on a high school team. This one's over, C's in 4.

POETRY?! Freaking POETRY?! Good Lord, the Celtic fans of the 80's have gotta be rolling over in their cardboard boxes. You new Celtic fans are quite a collection of wusses.

The c's are handed game 1 and 2...The Lakers will have to win games 3, 4 and 5...The c's will be handed game 6 and it will end up being a 1 game finals...Lakers win.

The NBA "Where game fixing happens...."

What? Tim Donaghy wasn't available?!?!?!?

I doubt the announcing team has been told to lay off the refs -- Mark Jackson and Van Gundy hilariously call out everyone. In a span of five minutes of game time them sandwiched around the halftime of game 2, the announcers called out their own studio crew ("no chemistry"), the cameraman ("Don't get the Magic-man eating popcorn"), and their graphics people ("Gotta highlight Mark J on that graphic!"). If ABC can't keep those two from criticizing their own company, I doubt the NBA has much more influence.

Hey Mamba 24,
Your team is not tough, they are soft.
Who are the Rebounders? Luke Walton? Rad?
Odom is soft, Rad is Soft your whole bench is soft
The refs did there job. Did the lakers ever take it to the hole? NO
Every laker foul you could hear the slap ON TV.
I guess you like every laker fan CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH.
Bring up SA years ago, but what happened the last time you were in the finals? the better defensive team beat your team in 5 games.
Also how many times did kobe go to the line in 5 games against SA? 11..I see a
trend..
So what about the comeback, the lakers lost the game. Calling us green slime coming from someone who has yellow in there uniform..you know what they say about yellow.
Call KG a string bean?...whats odom and gasol..you were reaching on that one.
Arriza an answer?, why did phill take him out after 3 min in game 2?
Talk about pierce being a punk..Whats up with ODOM and Vulacheck they are cry baby punks.
KOBE is the best player in the game..But what wins titles. Teams not single players. And defense. DO the Lakers play defense like celtics?..NO !This is a return to the 60's. The Better Celtic teams won, they beat Wilt and his cronies.
So what about coaching. When the coach has no players who play D besides 24. What can he do. The only way the lakers win game 3 is that they shoot 100% from the floor. (that wont happen). Leon powe on Luke Walton, luke can't keep up with his size.
The Celtics are going to leave LA. Worse than MJ left Chicago. The fans will be crying more and more of there pride will be stripped...
Talk about dynasty?...KISS THE RINGS ....

Hey Mamba 24,
Your team is not tough, they are soft.
Who are the Rebounders? Luke Walton?, Rad?
Odom is soft,Rad is Soft your whole bench is soft
The refs did there job. Did the lakers ever take it to the hole? NO
Every laker foul you could hear the slap ON TV.
I guess you like every laker fan CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH.
Bring up SA years ago, but what happened the last time you were in the finals? the better defensive team beat your team in 5 games.
Also how many times did kobe go to the line in 5 games against SA? 11..I see a
trend..
So what about the comeback, the lakers lost the game. Calling us green slime coming from someone who has yellow in there uniform..you know what they say about yellow.
Call KG a string bean?...whats odom and gasol..you were reaching on that one.
Arriza an answer?, why did phill take him out after 3 min in game 2?
Talk about pierce being a punk..Whats up with ODOM and Vulacheck they are cry baby punks.
KOBE is the best player in the game..But what wins titles. Teams not single players. And defense. DO the Lakers play defense like celtics?..NO !This is a return to the 60's. The Better Celtic teams won, they beat Wilt and his cronies.
So what about coaching. When the coach has no players who play D besides 24. What can he do. The only way the lakers win game 3 is that they shoot 100% from the floor. (that wont happen). Leon powe on Luke Walton, luke can't keep up with his size.
The Celtics are going to leave LA. Worse than MJ left Chicago. The fans will be crying more and more of there pride will be stripped...
Talk about dynasty?...KISS THE RINGS ....

Hey Mamba 24,
Your team is not tough, they are soft.
Who are the Rebounders? Luke Walton?, Rad?
Odom is soft,Rad is Soft your whole bench is soft
The refs did there job. Did the lakers ever take it to the hole? NO
Every laker foul you could hear the slap ON TV.
I guess you like every laker fan CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH.
Bring up SA years ago, but what happened the last time you were in the finals? the better defensive team beat your team in 5 games.
Also how many times did kobe go to the line in 5 games against SA? 11..I see a
trend..
So what about the comeback, the lakers lost the game. Calling us green slime coming from someone who has yellow in there uniform..you know what they say about yellow.
Call KG a string bean?...whats odom and gasol..you were reaching on that one.
Arriza an answer?, why did phill take him out after 3 min in game 2?
Talk about pierce being a punk..Whats up with ODOM and Vulacheck they are cry baby punks.
KOBE is the best player in the game..But what wins titles. Teams not single players. And defense. DO the Lakers play defense like celtics?..NO !This is a return to the 60's. The Better Celtic teams won, they beat Wilt and his cronies.
So what about coaching. When the coach has no players who play D besides 24. What can he do. The only way the lakers win game 3 is that they shoot 100% from the floor. (that wont happen). Leon powe on Luke Walton, luke can't keep up with his size.
The Celtics are going to leave LA. Worse than MJ left Chicago. The fans will be crying more and more of there pride will be stripped...
Talk about dynasty?...KISS THE RINGS ....

Hey, Mamba24, don't you have your own identity or are you so feeble that you have to live vicariously thru the "Kobe" avatar. Well, my man you ain't no Kobe, DH. Celtics in 5

Woo Hoo... As a Celtic fan, we have gotten the best bench last game, the referree crews! Leon schooled Kobe like there ain't no tomorrow (with a lil help from the refs... hehehe). The Lakers deserved it since they got Gasol for hmmm... who again? hahaha... Go Celts!
As for Game 3, it's ok . They can have it as we will take all the home games.

HEY MAMBA24.....nice poem....looks like a defensive measure on your part...now if your Lakers take some defensive measures on their part...they just might win a game...which they haven't all year against the Celts....your team suck

hey black mamba, you forgot to mention how radmanovic walked from the tunnel to the bucket and dunked it home...if the lakers actually took it to the basket once in a while they might get some calls, leon earned every one of the free throws he took and doesn't piss his pants and cry like gasol...the officials will give the lakers game 3 but dont worry, we'll still celebrate on the staples center floor

I can't believe how much attention is being put on the officiating. The Celtics thoroughly outplayed the Lakers in game 2. When you go to the hoop you get the benefit of the doubt and the Lakers (besides Kobe) aren't athletic enough to beat the Celtics off the dribble and they post up Gasol once a half. The fouls were 28 by the Lakers and 21 by the Celtics and that's not much of a discrepency. Never once in my storied playing career has my coach complained about the officiating when we were getting blasted by 24. And I also like how just since Leon Powe isn't a marquee name means that he isn't supposed to get any calls. If you watched the game you know that Powe took it at the Lakers aggressively and that's why he got the calls. Believe me I love conspiracy theories, but this ain't one of'em. Wouldn't be surprised if the Celts win again tonight.

I'm a Laker fan but I gotta say it's been really cool to read Rajon Rondo's blog at http://www.yardbarker.com/rajonrondo

Not sure how he is finding the time to update it but it seems like he has a new post every few hours! Check it out!

Hopefully he doesn't play as well tonight haha and the lakeshow can pull out the win.

Hey Celtic Fans .. Heads Up. Too bad your you can't get a new head coach assigned. Cause Doc Rivers is niether a smart nor a confident coach. I thought Boston escaped Game 2 and Doc showed signs that he is intectually challenged when he took out Leon Powe with about 5 minutes left in the game. Dude he was playing monsterous game on both end and guess what Doc takes him out!

Next when LA is hitting on all cylinders Doc does not slow down the clock and put ball on his playmaker Paul Pierce. Admittingly he tells Rondo to play the game the way he does and not worry. Not Worry and just play the game??? You got 5 minutes and more than 15 points lead. Do your math Doc! 5 minutes equls 15 possessions which can at max give LA 8 shots if your ball handlers don't fumble the ball or give softie Euro Radmavic the ball. 8 Shots at max gives 16 points in my book and with today's percentage I would say only 8 points. Doc panicked and started to do victory dance then finds his pants on fire. Watch the interview because had LA won Doc would have never recovered like Dallas Mavericks (2004). Bad coaching my friend.

Third Doc with his coaching gave life to Laker team with 41 point outburst. Kobe probably feels he can drive to the basket at will now and the 3 point shooters probably won't be shooting blanks in LA. If Lakers take game 3 the Celtics are done. Pray that Leon Powe and Pierce can carry you today because KG is too shaky to carry Boston. Rondo is prone to turnovers and Doc will make vital mistakes like he did when he let his team go soft in 4rth quarter. It does not surprise me Boston let Atlanta and Lebrons (yes LebronS) come back in the series. Even the crippled Detroit won more than they should have and it is all because of DOC RIVERS!

Having a great shooter like Ray Allen I would strike fear into the enemy. Dunk on every occasion with Leon and Powe. Rondo only shoots 8 times a game. Use Pierce in 4rth mostly (save trump card).

Doc better not make mistake otherwise Boston got to wait another 20 years for 17th Title while La will be in their 20's.

Fire Doc in offseason!

Mamba24 is an absolute ZERO!!!! First off all, who raps a comment on this page? Obviously a low life joke who does nothing with his life. I hope you choke watching the game tonight

The fact that anyone on this thread is denying referee bias in favor of the celtics is mind boggling to me. Game 2 was an absolute joke. Kobe picking up a quick 2 fouls, Gasol getting mauled down low. You are truly lucky to be up 2 games.

Hey Celtics bandwagon riders - I like how you bring up the 28-21 foul stat when no one else has even questioned that. The stat that everyone, even the Celtic bandwagon riders, has questioned is the FREE THROWS SHOT disparity. 38-10. Can you wrap your heads around that? Yeah, I know, I got your inept "they were more aggressive" argument. Bull - the Lakers stopped driving because they couldn't buy a foul. Got anything else?

So what, after Celtic fans tell Laker fans to shut up and stop whining about the refs, you can throw up your hands and concede that the Lakers will win BECAUSE of the refs BEFORE the game is even played???

Wow.....just....wow.

Everyone calling the refs pro LA does realize that Joey Crawford's MO is making calls AGAINST THE HOME TEAM, right?

His whole thing is that he considers himself a tough guy not intimidated by the home crowd and goes out of his way to show it.

Whining from the team that go 38 free throws to 9??? LMAO.

Im baffled by the Lakers fans that say the CELTICS are already conceding the game because of the refereeing. Wake up people! This is a MESSAGE BOARD! Maybe some FANS are doing that but this isn't the players. HOWEVER, it was the Lakers PLAYER and COACH publicly complaining about the officiating...interesting the Celtics never commented on the bad officiating during the Detroit and Cleveland series. Jackson makes a freakin occupation out of complaining when it doesn't go Kobe's way (because god knows a superstar like Kobe should automatically get respected) or blindly turning an eye to pro-Laker calls like that final call on the Spurs ("no foul" I believe was his quote in the post game press conference - give me a f**king break) The Lakers are a good team, Kobe is phenomenal but they don't play defense and aren't tough enough as a unit

Joey Crawford bet 50 packs of cigarettes on the Lakers to win in tonight's game. He bet 100 cups of cherry flavored yogurt that Kevin Garnett gets his 3rd foul at the 4:00 minute mark of the 1st quarter. He bet a 2 year subscription to Vanity Fair that Blackbean Bryant goes to the line 27 times by the 3:52 mark of the 3rd quarter, at which point Phil takes him out of the game because the Lakers are up by 37. He bet 500 bucks with Tim Donaghy that he does not get caught....

Nice to see some good intellectual Celtics fans on here. Good thoughts. Yea Mamba is a douche but oh well. Fouls = 28-21 Celts. Lakers need to drive if they want to get fouls called. Kobe was hoping to get a LeBrick treatment and get cheap fouls called his way. Refs called same amount of offensive fouls on Celts as they did on Lakers, so don't whine about that Laker fans.
KG and KP43 need to assert themselves tonight. Garnett was Garnott most of the 2nd half and Perk hasn't done work this series. No early fouls Perk and ya'll be alright. That 4th gave me about 2 heart attacks. Hopefully E-House will play instead of Cassell (who is blackmailing Doc into playing him)

The NBA just does not get it. Laughable...

IF.... the referees demonstrate EXTREME bias towards the Celtics tonight all game long

IF... the referees bog down KG, Allen and PP with early ticky-tack BS fouls.

IF... the referees refuse to call fouls on the Lakers all game long.

IF... the referees demonstrate the most obscene, pathetic, disgraceful bias officiating the planet has EVER seen towards the Lakers....

THEN and ONLY then... will have they made up for what happened in Game 2. ANYTHING less and the Celtics will still have an enormous advantage in terms of bias and favoritism.

My GOD.... 26 free throws to 4 after 3 quarters.... 26 to FRIGGIN 4. Are you kidding me?? ARE YOU F'ING KIDDING ME!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!? "Uh.... uh.... uh.... it's 'cus the Lakers weren't driving to the basket" - give me a F'ING break. You can't possibly be this stupid. You can't possibly be that pathetic to believe that.

Yes, the Celtics out hustled the Lakers and likely would have won any way, but don't you dare insult my intelligence with this VOMIT about how the refs weren't showing EXTREME bias in Game 2. They have a long, long, LONG way to go to make up for it.