Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Referee Crawford suspended for actions; Challenged Duncan to a Fight
Topic Started: Apr 17 2007, 02:33 PM (318 Views)
NYCMagicFan
Member Avatar
Old School
Staff Members
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-r...ov=ap&type=lgns

Quote:
 
NEW YORK (AP) -- NBA referee Joey Crawford was suspended indefinitely by commissioner David Stern on Tuesday for his conduct toward Tim Duncan, who contends the official challenged him to a fight.

Crawford, regarded as a top referee, ejected Duncan from a game in Dallas on Sunday. He called a second technical foul on the San Antonio Spurs star while he was on the bench.

"He looked at me and said, 'Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?"' Duncan said. "If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don't have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, `Do you want to fight?"'

Crawford's suspension will last at least through the NBA finals. He apparently will have to meet with Stern after that to discuss reinstatement.

"Joey Crawford's handling of this situation failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees," Stern said in a statement. "Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted.

"Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities."

The prior act Stern noted likely refers to the 2003 Western Conference finals, a matchup involving the same teams as in Sunday's game. Crawford called four technical fouls in the first 10-plus minutes, leading to ejections of then-Mavs coach Don Nelson and assistant Del Harris.

Crawford also called a technical in a recent game against Duncan, who said Sunday that Crawford has a "personal vendetta against me."

Duncan was called for his first technical foul Sunday with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter for arguing about an offensive foul. Crawford hit him with the second technical 1:16 later after Duncan was on the bench laughing about a call that went against the Spurs.

With Duncan gone, the Mavericks rallied to beat the Spurs, ending San Antonio's chance of earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Speaking to a pool reporter before Duncan spoke, Crawford was asked about Duncan thinking he had done nothing to warrant the ejection.

"That's his opinion," said Crawford, adding that Duncan referred to him with an expletive. "Is that nothing?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Black and Blue
Member Avatar
Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
Staff Members
Crawford made the 2nd Technical call on the other side of the floor and his defense was that he thought Duncan was laughing and saying things behind his back to other people on the bench. He sounds like a guy with anger management issues or at least someone who allows others to get in his head. Definitely a good suspension.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TheFalcon
Member Avatar
Air Gortat
Player vs Referee, and the player wins... I'm impressed.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
magiclive
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
He should be fired. This isn't the first time he's tried to steal the spotlight at the game's expense. He thinks he's bigger than the game and he's a flaming a**hole. I hope his suspension is upgraded to a termination (i.e. Imus).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
He found his match in Tim Duncan.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jax Magic
Member Avatar
Starter
Good points, everyone. I, too, think this suspension is justified. Players can't even joke around laugh while on the bench? That's crazy. Who gave Rasheed Wallace a tech a few years ago for just looking at him? That is the all-time best and worst use of the technical foul.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · NBA Courtside Live · Next Topic »
Add Reply