NBA Admits that "with the benefit of replay..."

[GFootsXtreme]

that was a foul against the Lakers in the last 2 seconds, and that Joey Crawford was the referee closest to the play

FWIW

[TN TITAN Fan In STL]

NEW YORK - The NBA acknowledged Wednesday that a foul should have been called on the final possession of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals, which would have given the San Antonio Spurs a chance to even the series.

Trailing 93-91 on Tuesday night, the Spurs inbounded the ball with 2.1 seconds left to Brent Barry, who was bumped by Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher on the floor. No foul was called, and Barry missed badly on a 3-pointer before time expired.

Spurs players and coach Gregg Popovich said a foul should not have been called, but the NBA disagreed with them after reviewing the play.

"With the benefit of instant replay, it appears a foul should have been called," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Had that happened, Barry would have gone to the line for two free throws and a chance to tie the game. Instead, the defending champion Spurs trail the series 3-1 and face elimination Thursday in Los Angeles

[dhunter]

not the 1st time crawford has screwed the spurs in playoffs

[Chicago RED]

The NBA coaches should have be allowed to at least have the ability to have 3-4 plays reviewed or challenged through the game. Somthing like the NFL has, if they lose the challenge they lose a time out.

[Swamp-Gator]

Does that mean the Refs are going to throw in this game and let the Spurs take it??? Could be so I would tread easy on this game fellas if you are on LA!!

[skippy]

Originally Posted by GFootsXtreme

that was a foul against the Lakers in the last 2 seconds, and that Joey Crawford was the referee closest to the play

FWIW

Basically.....the NBA finally admitted that some of their refs are cashing big on NBA games.

[Jahred]

what about fishers shot hitting the rim 4 seconds before that?

[dhunter]

Originally Posted by Jahred

what about fishers shot hitting the rim 4 seconds before that?

what about it?

the foul at the end was way more obvious than that

[GFootsXtreme]

Originally Posted by Jahred

what about fishers shot hitting the rim 4 seconds before that?

i think what is most relevant to me is that replay in the last minute or two of a game makes complete sense. they call timeouts what, 5 times in the last 45 seconds? they have plenty of time to stop to check these things.

fishers shot DID hit the rim they said also. i wasn't implying simply the spurs were screwed -- they were on that play. but i agree completely that a zillion calls are missed in a game. the one at the end was a pathetic no call however, and it is awful convenient that crawford is the guy who didn't call it.

i see this issue the same as baseball. so many are so fearful of getting the calls right and what effect it has upon the game slowing it down to do so. i'm just the opposite. i'd use replay anywhere it can help...maybe coaches get 2 challenges or the like in a game, and it costs a timeout if they're wrong. not perfect i know, but better imo

[Bisket]

and replay shows fisher's shot hit the rim

[Bisket]

Originally Posted by dhunter

what about it?

the foul at the end was way more obvious than that

lol i said it hit rim on Live TV. Both plays were obvious

[Joe D]

The Barry play would've never happened if the Refs caught the Fisher play.

[lakersmetsjets]

Quit whining..the NBA has been a "superstars get the calls" league for more than a decade now. Let me guess..Jordan against Byron Russell was an offensive foul right?

[Jahred]

Originally Posted by dhunter

what about it?

the foul at the end was way more obvious than that

well there is no debating weather the ball hit the rim.

even though Popovich said it was not a foul, there is a debate if that was a foul.