Former ESPN Analyst Bill Simmons Calls Out Referee Bias After Heat/Celtics Game

[BallsOut]

You can't win 5 against 8. This game is one of the all-time jokes. I am so disgusted by this game and the league as a whole.

http://twitter.com/ChrisLambton13/statuses/208040662392774656

What's it gonna take for these guys to call games fairly? The Heat already have a huge advantage with two of the top 5 players in the league, but when they are gifted free throws just by barreling into defenders and the other team doesn't get the same calls, how does anyone stand a chance?

[Indian guy]

Bill Simmons :oldlol:

This guy has less credibility when it comes to Boston than Kobetards do when it comes to LeBron. And that's saying something.

[RoseCity07]

Boston homer is hella mad. Simmons sucks.

[G-train]

http://twitter.com/ChrisLambton13/statuses/208040662392774656

What's it gonna take for these guys to call games fairly? The Heat already have a huge advantage with two of the top 5 players in the league, but when they are gifted free throws just by barreling into defenders and the other team doesn't get the same calls, how does anyone stand a chance?

How many times did the C's drive and draw contact and not get a foul? Once? Twice?

Overreact much?

Simmons is a homer.

[BallsOut]

28 FT's to 5. I don't watch rigged NBA games, I'm switching to hockey.

http://twitter.com/sportsguy33/statuses/196340368789340160

Bill Simmons on Heat's FT disparity and awful officiating in the first half of the Knicks/Heat first game of round 1.

[CardiacKemba]

I love Bill Simmons, but I don't take anything he says regarding the Celtics seriously. When he interviewed Larry Bird on his radio show you could almost hear him cracking one downstairs. The refs have obviously helped us, we've had some very handy calls go our way, but it's not as big a thing as the Boston fans (or haters of Miami for that matter) make it out.

[jlauber]

I really don't care who wins this series...and yes, Boston got jobbed tonight...but the reality is, the Heat are the better team, and they will win this series.

[AMISTILLILL]

Bill Simmons is an idiot and writes articles like a 5th grader with a hyperactivity disorder.

[Stern]

Sick of the fuking refs. I dont know if I will be watching rest of the playoffs.

[Bladers]

48 FTs to 29
15 more fouls called on boston.


That's the definition of rigging. smh.

[Kingwillball]

Heat are gonna ALWAYS have FT advantage when U have Lebron and Wade on your team and they are aggressive..

[gilalizard]

I really don't care who wins this series...and yes, Boston got jobbed tonight...but the reality is, the Heat are the better team, and they will win this series.

Well, the Heat are definitely stacked with more historical talent in their primes (along with solid roleplayers). A better team is arguable.

But what is the truth is they are so powerful, whoever they face must have a fairly called game (much less a game called in their favor, lol can you imagine an important game called against LeBron and Wade?) to even have a fighting chance.

[stallionaire]

Boston stan.

[BallsOut]

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Suggests NBA Wanted Technical Fouls Called On Celtics


“You have to understand something here,” Smith said on ESPN after the Heat won 93-79, “Ray Allen is one of the classiest individuals in the world. All he did was jump up real quick and get emotional, and he turned and walked away and got a technical foul. Doc Rivers said ‘Come on, Ed,’ to Ed Malloy and he got a technical foul.”

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith after game 1 of Celtics/Heat.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/05/29/espns-stephen-a-smith-suggests-nba-wanted-technical-fouls-called-on-celtics/

[onhcetum]

This game wasn't that bad to be honest. There was a missed called on Rondo (although it looked kinda late and that Wade barely grazes him, but whatever... I'll count it as a missed called).

Also, you guys act like every one of the fouls on Lebron wasn't a foul? Wade and Lebron are slashers and drive to the rim and they are gonna get hammered... that's their game.

[wang4three]

I don't know if there was a conspiracy or rigging or whatever, but the refs were clearly one-sided tonight. That, coupled with LeBron and Wade's ability to sell calls really caused mayhem. Oh well, it's how the NBA works now. Exploit rules till you win.

There was a time when I was growing up where coaches didn't preach about getting to the line. Fouls were put in place to play a clean and skill-filled game. Since then, people realized it's easier to exploit the inefficiencies and inaccuracies of the game than it is to play basketball.

[knickballer]

That one play where Wade extended his leg and kicked/blocked KG was a dirty play and yet the foul was on KG. That was a huge call...

[RedBlackAttack]

That, coupled with LeBron and Wade's ability to sell calls really caused mayhem.
That bothers me more than the calls themselves.

Watching Wade get past Rondo and then go 100 miles per hour into the chest of Paul Pierce when he could have pulled up for a wide open jumper (and other countless plays just like it)...

He is too great a player to play like that, imo. There was a time when guys didn't play for fouls in such an obvious manner. There was a time when a great player drove past the initial defender, they looked to score and not wildly barrel into the opposition.

[kurt_rambis]

That one play where Wade extended his leg and kicked/blocked KG was a dirty play and yet the foul was on KG. That was a huge call...
that was a clear foul on KG and a not so clear foul on wade. how often is the 'kick' rule called? tonight was honestly the first time i've ever even heard of it

[G-train]

That one play where Wade extended his leg and kicked/blocked KG was a dirty play and yet the foul was on KG. That was a huge call...

Then stared KG down afterwards? Loved that play.

And KG hacked his arm, you forgot that part.

[G-train]

That bothers me more than the calls themselves.

Watching Wade get past Rondo and then go 100 miles per hour into the chest of Paul Pierce when he could have pulled up for a wide open jumper (and other countless plays just like it)...

He is too great a player to play like that, imo. There was a time when guys didn't play for fouls in such an obvious manner. There was a time when a great player drove past the initial defender, they looked to score and not wildly barrel into the opposition.

So a slashing guard shouldn't attack an old 3 man in foul trouble?

Ok.

When you gonna deal with it?

And you know what 'it' is.

[Extempo]

Bill Simmons MUST be a "Kobetard" right...according to that mentally challenged Lebron fan, its only the Kobe fans who are hating on Miami right now. Hysterical.

[SpecialQue]

Bill seems to have ZERO problems when games are blatantly called unfairly in favor of the Celtics:


Bill Simmons ‏@sportsguy33

Love the refs tonight! Does anyone know their addresses? I want to send them fruit baskets

[itsGameTime]

Bill seems to have ZERO problems when games are blatantly called unfairly in favor of the Celtics:

It's called sarcasm. Look it up :facepalm

[SpecialQue]

It's called sarcasm. Look it up :facepalm

Really? So that's what it's called? My goodness! I never knew that. Any idea as to where I can look it up? I'm really glad you've joined in on the discussion, Mr. Helper!

[Shepseskaf]

Simmons is a homer and a tool, but he's right on this one. Interestingly, he directs his accusations towards "the league", rather than the person who controls it.

I wonder why?

[wang4three]

That bothers me more than the calls themselves.

Watching Wade get past Rondo and then go 100 miles per hour into the chest of Paul Pierce when he could have pulled up for a wide open jumper (and other countless plays just like it)...

He is too great a player to play like that, imo. There was a time when guys didn't play for fouls in such an obvious manner. There was a time when a great player drove past the initial defender, they looked to score and not wildly barrel into the opposition.

I have a problem with the language around that action too. Too much nowadays analysts and commentators are encouraging and praising that sort of play. They'll say things like "they give up their body," "take the contact," or something along the lines of being tough or masculine. Taking the contact used to be to describe purely on someone fouling you, not you jumping into someone else. Probably 10 years ago it would be just called reckless. Reckless and irresponsible. It's just unfortunate that we're using praising what my former coaches back in the 90s and early 2000s would've yelled at me for. In the last 10 years, basketball has drastically changed. The rewards and incentives have truly changed. It's unfortunate.

[RedBlackAttack]

So a slashing guard shouldn't attack an old 3 man in foul trouble?

Ok.

When you gonna deal with it?

And you know what 'it' is.

It wasn't just that play, but no... I don't think a player should be rewarded for a play like that (it did look like Pierce jumped straight up). What, exactly, is Pierce supposed to do on that play? Move out of the way?

And "it" is just an easy cop-out for people to invalidate an opinion on a topic that has absolutely, positively nothing to do with "it."

There was one NBA game tonight. When I see something during the action that I feel deserves a comment, I'm going to comment on it.


I will also say that the Celtics lack of defensive rebounding in the fourth quarter is really what cost them this game... Moreso than one specific call that went against them. If Boston secures a couple of boards after Heat misses down the stretch of regulation, it would have never come down to all of that.

Heat came up with big rebounds in huge situations and that was the story of the night to me.

Doesn't mean that I think the way Wade is currently playing for the whistle is good for basketball.

[BallsOut]

48 FTs to 29
15 more fouls called on boston.


That's the definition of rigging. smh.

That is a disgusting disparity. You'd think the Celtics were facing a prime Shaquille O'Neal. :facepalm

[BallsOut]

48 FTs to 29
15 more fouls called on boston.


That's the definition of rigging. smh.

AI must be rolling over in his grave right now at all of the FTs Lebron and Wade get for running into defenders. Back then he actually had to earn them.

[Batz]

That is a disgusting disparity. You'd think the Celtics were facing a prime Shaquille O'Neal. :facepalm
They were facing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade... Who they were intentionally fouling even... :oldlol:

[LAClipsFan33]

They were facing LeBron James and Dwyane Wade... Who they were intentionally fouling even... :oldlol:

The Celtics strategy was to double, triple, and foul Wade and Lebron and force them to make FTs ?

Their strategy worked with 10/16 missed FTs between those two players ?

The game was less about how many FTs the Heat shot and more about the Celtics not capitalizing over and over

[BallsOut]

The Celtics strategy was to double, triple, and foul Wade and Lebron and force them to make FTs ?

Their strategy worked with 10/16 missed FTs between those two players ?

The game was less about how many FTs the Heat shot and more about the Celtics not capitalizing over and over

Says the guy who didn't watch the game. Quit reciting to everyone what you read from the boxscore.

[asdf1990]

a team with prime lebron and wade is suppose to take as many free throws as a team with a injured ray allen/injured pierce/ jump shooting KG/ rondo? yeah there were a few missed calls but the ft disparity is gonna exist with the heat until they face an equally athletic team like the thunder. deal with it.

[Kurosawa0]

The Celtics strategy was to double, triple, and foul Wade and Lebron and force them to make FTs ?

Their strategy worked with 10/16 missed FTs between those two players ?

The game was less about how many FTs the Heat shot and more about the Celtics not capitalizing over and over

It worked out great. I mean, if you want you're best scorer fouling out and sitting on the bench in OT.

[RazorBaLade]

AI must be rolling over in his grave right now at all of the FTs Lebron and Wade get for running into defenders. Back then he actually had to earn them.

wow.. good point... ai would have been god if harden and bron are able to do whta they do now ... ai would have been even better

[LAClipsFan33]

Says the guy who didn't watch the game. Quit reciting to everyone what you read from the boxscore.

I just got done watching the game. If someone has a different opinion on ISH it's always "You didn't watch the game". Grow a brain...

[LAClipsFan33]

It worked out great. I mean, if you want you're best scorer fouling out and sitting on the bench in OT.

Even with that...they had 10 opps to win the game

[Shepseskaf]

AI must be rolling over in his grave right now
Ummmm, he's not dead.

[itsGameTime]

I just got done watching the game. If someone has a different opinion on ISH it's always "You didn't watch the game". Grow a brain...

Lol at just got done watching the game. The game was 5 hours ago. Next time you read a boxscore and claim you saw the game, don't make it too obvious.

[BankShot]

Thats strange.... an admitted Celtic homer for life is suggesting that the Celtics were treated unfairly :rolleyes:

[xcesswee]

I thought the paul pierce 6th foul was bs. He jumps straight up with hands straight up and wade just bulldozes into him. Pierce gets his 6th foul and is out for end of 4th and Overtime.

[BallsOut]

Ummmm, he's not dead.

Symbolically.

[(e)]

Yeah Bill is a homer but I think he has a legit reason to call them out.

Miami was settling for the 3 all damn game, hell they shot 26 of them to Boston's 16. Boston also chucked a few up at the end.

Miami ended up shooting a ton more FTs, but also got a handful at the end of the game too.

Simply put, if Boston got the same quick whistle that Miami got, they would of had at least 6 more FTAs. Rondo was clearly fouled at the end of the game. The block on Ray Allen in the 3rd that led to a huge run by Miami was also a foul, Wade had contact on the body with a push. Wade gets away with a kick towards the groin on KG. PP gets some touchy fouls and fouls out of the game lol. KG gets smacked in the face, pushes the guy away and he gets hit with the T.

I feel for Boston. They've definitely had the very short end of the stick and arnt getting any favors at all.

[Kurosawa0]

Even with that...they had 10 opps to win the game

As did Boston...

[LAClipsFan33]

Lol at just got done watching the game. The game was 5 hours ago. Next time you read a boxscore and claim you saw the game, don't make it too obvious.

5 hours ago the game was in the 2nd quarter

:facepalm

The game and post game just ended a couple hours ago

[magnax1]

Game 1 was awful. Not so much tonight. I didn't really notice to many awful calls. Wade and Lebron got to the rim, and got fouled. There should be a big disparity. Disparity=/=bad calls

[bdreason]

Simmons.


:cry: :cry: :cry:

[FindingTim]

Bill Simmons is an idiot and writes articles like a 5th grader with a hyperactivity disorder.

he's clearly no Hemingway, but his writing is great (usually). his podcast is incredible too... ones with bill walton, larry bird, lots of filmmakers/actors too. he is totally genuine and passionate about sports, i love the guy.

[arifgokcen]

I have watched the whole game,everyone is saying is this is a rigged game i just didnt see any blatant calls.Especially lebron earned everyone of those fts.They hacked him everytime he went for a layup

[SFMF]

It really was a terribly called game. Period.

I get that people are frustrated about Boston fans getting frustrated over this and nagging, but why can't we get a fairly judged competitive game?

It's not just anyone's team; it's Lebron's who chose to go join the Heat, so there's more frustration from such a bad game.

I am sure some of Boston fans and any other fans whose team has lost to another team in a rightfully called series would find other excuses, but most of the fans wouldn't and simply accept the fact they are worse.

You have to be a moron to simply say Heat is the better team and will win the series even without a game like today's ... aren't the playoffs basically measuring tapes to check who's actually better and that's why it's fun?

NBA is the only American sport that does this.

[FindingTim]

former ESPN analyst :oldlol: nice
I know he's been on ESPN but..... it's like calling me the veggie monster when let's be honest I just eat cereal.

[Blue&Orange]

Why isn't anybody talking how with the game on the line, Pierce jumped straight up outside the circle, Wade rams into him and refs called a defensive foul :lol

That shit was hilarious... it's disgusting how Lebron and Wade are carried by the refs.

[blacknapalm]

Why isn't anybody talking how with the game on the line, Pierce jumped straight up outside the circle, Wade rams into him and refs called a defensive foul :lol

That shit was hilarious... it's disgusting how Lebron and Wade are carried by the refs.

and that was his 6th foul. what's worse is that wade was doing like a 180. when he flipped up the shot, he wasn't even looking at the basket. if you're going to call that, the offensive player has to be going strong, not going for an out of control circus type shot. that should have been a no call but the ref probably felt he just had to do something.

i honestly don't know what you're telling the defender to do in that scenario. jump away? run away or it's a foul? :oldlol:

[Dresta]

It wasn't just that play, but no... I don't think a player should be rewarded for a play like that (it did look like Pierce jumped straight up). What, exactly, is Pierce supposed to do on that play? Move out of the way?

And "it" is just an easy cop-out for people to invalidate an opinion on a topic that has absolutely, positively nothing to do with "it."

There was one NBA game tonight. When I see something during the action that I feel deserves a comment, I'm going to comment on it.


I will also say that the Celtics lack of defensive rebounding in the fourth quarter is really what cost them this game... Moreso than one specific call that went against them. If Boston secures a couple of boards after Heat misses down the stretch of regulation, it would have never come down to all of that.

Heat came up with big rebounds in huge situations and that was the story of the night to me.

Doesn't mean that I think the way Wade is currently playing for the whistle is good for basketball.
Shut up with your ignorance, Pierce ran and jumped into Wade's way, he was out of position, and it was a foul.

God some people just know nothing about basketball.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Holy shit. I didn't watch any part of the game last night but the free throw disparity is ridiculous. We cannot just sit here and complain about it. We the fans needs to take action. I live 45 minutes away from one of David Sterns homes. Let's all go there and break his windows.

[RaininTwos]

Yeah Bill is a homer but I think he has a legit reason to call them out.

Miami was settling for the 3 all damn game, hell they shot 26 of them to Boston's 16. Boston also chucked a few up at the end.

Miami ended up shooting a ton more FTs, but also got a handful at the end of the game too.

Simply put, if Boston got the same quick whistle that Miami got, they would of had at least 6 more FTAs. Rondo was clearly fouled at the end of the game. The block on Ray Allen in the 3rd that led to a huge run by Miami was also a foul, Wade had contact on the body with a push. Wade gets away with a kick towards the groin on KG. PP gets some touchy fouls and fouls out of the game lol. KG gets smacked in the face, pushes the guy away and he gets hit with the T.

I feel for Boston. They've definitely had the very short end of the stick and arnt getting any favors at all.

What game are you watching????:biggums:

[f0und]

bill simmons is the tommy heinsohn of basketball jourmalists.

[Champ]

I don't know if there was a conspiracy or rigging or whatever, but the refs were clearly one-sided tonight. That, coupled with LeBron and Wade's ability to sell calls really caused mayhem. Oh well, it's how the NBA works now. Exploit rules till you win.

There was a time when I was growing up where coaches didn't preach about getting to the line. Fouls were put in place to play a clean and skill-filled game. Since then, people realized it's easier to exploit the inefficiencies and inaccuracies of the game than it is to play basketball.

:applause:

This is the biggest hang-up I have, as well. IMHO, it makes the game less interesting, enjoyable, and watchable, while reducing the level of play.

[nyccelticsfans]

You know how you know the game was given to Miami by the refs, how many fouls did James and Wade have in game that included an overtime?

The answer 2 on Wade and 2 on Lebron. 4 fouls between them in 5 quarters and almost 100 minutes of combined play.

So clearly it takes an act of god to call a foul on Lebron or Wade. PPfouls out, so he is not getting the star treatment, refs have no problem calling fouls on him or Garnett, or Rondo.

Lebron and Wade can play as aggressive as they want on both sides of the floor, and not worry about getting into foul trouble. Just that alone makes the refs hand that game to Miami.

When you factor in the Rondo hit in the head (by Wade), the FT disparity, and the fact that despite the popular misconception that Miami is driving to the hoop more, so that is why their is FT disparity, when in fact if you look at the shot chart of the game, you will see Miami actually took a greater percentage of jump shots, so Boston actually drove to the hoop more. This game was 100% clearly won by the awful refs. Boston had their chances, and could have risen above the awful refs, so that is on the them, but you can not say this game was 100% not slanted towards the heat, just look at James and Wades foul total.

[TheMan]

48 FTs to 29
15 more fouls called on boston.


That's the definition of rigging. smh.
OMG, I didn't know it was that lopsided:facepalm

Didn't watch all the game but I caught the hack on Rondo that wasn't called in OT that even JVG called out and also saw Wade barrelling into Pierce and getting another gift FTs.

The refs are blantantly helping Miami even though they don't need the help...this is just shameful.

[Doranku]

48 FTs to 29
15 more fouls called on boston.


That's the definition of rigging. smh.

Still not as bad as Game 2 of the 2008 Finals.

Boston had 38 FTs to the Lakers 10. :lol

[Knoe Itawl]

LOL, Kobetards, Bulls fans, Cleveland fans, NY fans, Boston fans all :mad:

Only idiots would keep watching a sport they think has a consistent conspiracy going.

[DirtySanchez]

When did Bill become a former ESPN analyst? Is Grantland canceled?

[DirtySanchez]

LOL, Kobetards, Bulls fans, Cleveland fans, NY fans, Boston fans all :mad:

Only idiots would keep watching a sport they think has a consistent conspiracy going.

You can add every NBA fan to that list when their team loses an important game dummy.

[Knoe Itawl]

You can add every NBA fan to that list when their team loses an important game dummy.

Hey dummy, there's a difference between a fan being upset when their team loses and whining all the time that there's some big ref conspiracy to have the Heat win YET CONTINUING TO WATCH A SPORT YOU THINK IS RIGGED.

Only a moron does that. But yet, all of these people whining about Stern and the ref conspiracy will be back watching Game 3. Then they will be whining again if the Heat win.

Like I said, only an idiot watches a sport that they TRULY believe is rigged from the top. I'm not talking about blown calls here and there. I'm not talking about a game here and there where the refs may have favored a team. I'm talking about the kind of idiotic talk I see on this board where people really believe that Stern has given an order to favor the Heat and have them win.

Why would you continue to watch a sport you really believe that about? What, you hope one day Stern turns the bias towards your team? But even then, what fun would that be?

[JMT]

When did Bill become a former ESPN analyst? Is Grantland canceled?

Yeah, I had to LOL at "Former ESPN Analyst".

I usually enjoy Simmons' style of writing, but ANY reference to ANYTHING he writes regarding Boston sports should be accompanied by the lead-in:

"Lifelong Boston Homer and Apologist Bill Simmons..."