Wow. I've never even bothered to pay attention to Donaghy's comments, because I figured he was a fraud and sore from being caught, though I knew there was some truth to what he said. But those excerpts are so detailed and realistic and fit so well with what you see that I actually find myself believing him. How ridiculous.
Look at these playoffs though and you can see the sort of influences that Donaghy is talking about. It wouldn't surprise me at all if when the league saw all the series ending in 4 or 5 games in the first round that subtle reminders were made or certain refs were placed on games in the Lakers-Nuggets and Clippers-Grizzlies series to make those more competitive. Watching the 3rd Quarter of that Lakers-Nuggets Game 7 was crazy to see how badly the Nuggets players were mauling the Lakers -- they were crawling all over them as they tried to receive passes, pulling jerseys blatantly, doing stuff that passed beyond normal playoff physicality -- and nothing was called. It seemed like they wanted the game to stay close, since the Lakers were blowing them out til then. And the Grizzlies seemed to be the ones receiving the short end of the stick in their Game 7 with the Clippers in terms of physical play and foul calls.
And as pointed out, the foul disparity on important players in the Pacers/Heat game seemed a bit much. The foul calls on Roy in the 2nd half definitely didn't jive with the way the first half was called. But if Roy keeps playing hard, earning his keep and respect, and is smart in handling the refs, I could see him starting to get more and more favorable calls as he grows older in the league. He has the temperament and game that I'd expect the refs to respect.
roy roy roy NO ROY ROY ROY what a great game big fella and a great graduation present for your little brother jeff who walks on the hilltop this weekend. WHAT A GAME wowowooooww miami WHO . roy roy roy wowooowowo.. from couldnt walk or run frosh year to WOWOWOWOW great nba center. go ALL THE WAY go hoyas go roy . yes .
go hoyas eat up and feast on the big east but win one by one by AT LEAST one and have some fun!!
Post by ScreamingHoya on May 18, 2012 8:20:23 GMT -5
Big Roy is enjoying the front page of ESPN.com this morning. Love it
"12 seconds to go...Sapp crosses the timeline...Jessie feeds it in the post to Green...Green trying to drive...goes down the lane...puts it to the floor... gets back... duck under... by Jeff Green, OFF THE GLASS IT'S GOOD!!!! WITH TWO SECONDS TO GO!!! INBOUND TO GORDON! INBOUND TO GORDON! INBOUND TO GORDON! STROKES UP A BASKET- NO BASKET, NO BASKET! HOYAS WIN, HOYAS WIN, HOYAS WIN! -'07 Vanderbilt
