Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

There seems to be an unwritten rule that, in the closing seconds of a contested game, only blatant, egregious fouls will actually be called. When that unwritten rule is ignored and the refs call the last few seconds the same as the rest of the game, fans and players of the offended team always invoke the unwritten rule and say it's ridiculous for the ref to make that call in that situation. The other side, of course, says that a foul's a foul, and quit you're whining.

Who's right?

While I wish the refs would be more consistent in these situations so players didn't start to expect special treatment, I'm definitely in the camp that says a foul with 20 minutes left is also a foul with 2 seconds left. Going the other way leaves the door open for too much subjectivity about how much leeway to give, and which situations are important enough to warrant a suspension of the normal rules. Still, I'd be interested in hearing a good argument for backing off on the foul calls.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I'm definitely in the camp that says a foul with 20 minutes left is also a foul with 2 seconds left.

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Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

I don't really think it's a matter of backing off on most foul calls. I just think that "ticky-tack" fouls and slight bumps shouldn't decide the outcome of the game.

And even though they aren't supposed to, refs sometimes call fouls on things they don't actualy see. They might blow the whistle because they expect the foul or because they inferred that a foul occurred from the action. I would rather them not make these calls with the game on the line.

I didn't vote because I think they should use the normal rules, but refs need give the players the benefit of the doubt if the situation is unclear.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option. My feeling is the refs should always use the same criteria for a foul, but when it comes to a last second-decide the game play they should never call a ticky tack foul like they did last night. I don't like ticky tack fouls at all but during the course of the game there are always going to be a few of them.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

I've made this point on here before but people often complain that refs shouldn't decide the outcome with their calls.

If they don't call what is a foul according to the rules because it is the end of the game and that affects the outcome then they have decided the outcome of the game with their (non)call. Referees in any sport are there to enforce the rules of the game. They are not there to provide entertainment or exciting finishes.

There is no sport where something is considered a foul (or equivalent) in the middle of the game but that changes late according to the rules. For this reason referees should enforce the same fouls throughout. From a practical standpoint I could see calling things tight early and then loosening up but there is no reason for them to let virtually anything go at the end.

I think it's similar when a player has 5 fouls (or 4 in HS and college) or a yellow in soccer. If a player deserves the last foul or card and that means they are done for the day they should still get it.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option.

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Wait, are you blaming the poll for this?

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

If it's a foul in the first minute of the first regular season game it's a foul in the last minute of the last game of the Finals.

Calling a foul isn't the ref deciding a game. The ref didn't foul anyone. Not calling a foul (when it is a foul) is much more influential on the game.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

If NBA players were called for traveling violations as often as they should be, I'd think the people who talk about a foul always being a foul would make more sense.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

I agree with JaredL.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

They shouldn't call fouls near the end of games but they DO all the time. Spurs-Mavs Game 7 kept the Mavs in the game. Miami-OSU kept OSU in the game on a VERY late call. There are probally millions of examples but refs should review the game consciously the game but not impact the game's final outcome like they have too many times. If you notice the refs too much, then there obviously out of control.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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If NBA players were called for traveling violations as often as they should be, I'd think the people who talk about a foul always being a foul would make more sense.

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I think they need to do what the NHL did (except for the wishy-washiness of past seasons). Tell the players a crack-down on travelling and carrying the ball is coming. Crack down. Continue to crack down. Ignore all the bitching. Then players will get used to it, stop travelling every time they touch the ball and the game will be better for it.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I've made this point on here before but people often complain that refs shouldn't decide the outcome with their calls.

If they don't call what is a foul according to the rules because it is the end of the game and that affects the outcome then they have decided the outcome of the game with their (non)call. Referees in any sport are there to enforce the rules of the game. They are not there to provide entertainment or exciting finishes.

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Bingo.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option.

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Huh?

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. . . but when it comes to a last second-decide the game play they should never call a ticky tack foul like they did last night.

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Last night wasn't a ticky-tack foul. Harris hip-checked Wade, knocking him off balance. Then he swiped at (and hit) Wade's forearm as he was shooting. Finally, Dirk had his hand on Wade's back and may have pushed him. That's a lot of contact, and the contact was pretty obviously the reason that Wade missed the layup so badly.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option.

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Huh?

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. . . but when it comes to a last second-decide the game play they should never call a ticky tack foul like they did last night.

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Last night wasn't a ticky-tack foul. Harris hip-checked Wade, knocking him off balance. Then he swiped at (and hit) Wade's forearm as he was shooting. Finally, Dirk had his hand on Wade's back and may have pushed him. That's a lot of contact, and the contact was pretty obviously the reason that Wade missed the layup so badly.

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I don't think you remember the play very well. I've watched the replay and what you've said is pretty much completely wrong.

1)Harris didn't hip check him. When Wade changed direction, Harris got lost and was actually behind Wade, then recovered to the side. He didn't make any lower body contact at all.
2) Dirk didn't make any physical contact with Wade in that entire sequence.

Wade jumped at a very off balance angle, and then his right leg collided with Dirk's left, which was already well in place before Wade even started his jump. He missed the shot partially because the contact with Dirk through him off balance, but more because he tried to double clutch while falling down to avoid being blocked by Dirk. Harris' hand managed to reach in, but it wasn't even close enough to warrant a foul.

Even if the refs had called it on who they intended (Harris) they would've been wrong. Instead, they called it on Dirk, who didn't even touch him. Literally. Bad but hardly unsurprising call.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

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I don't think you remember the play very well. I've watched the replay and what you've said is pretty much completely wrong.

1)Harris didn't hip check him. When Wade changed direction, Harris got lost and was actually behind Wade, then recovered to the side. He didn't make any lower body contact at all.

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Absolutely, 100%, completely and undeniably wrong. As Harris moved to cut Wade off he wound up throwing his thigh into Wade's hip. I couldn't find the video from behind the baseline online, but if someone could post it I'd appreciate it, since it's clear as day in that shot.

Anyway, here's a pic of Harris' hand on Wade's arm as he's going up for the layup:


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ade2_412-1.jpg

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2) Dirk didn't make any physical contact with Wade in that entire sequence.

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I thought it was very clear that his hand was on his back, but there was apparetly no definitive angle on that contact.

Re: Should NBA refs \"let them play\" in the final seconds?
 

Wade went thru heavy traffic and had contact by multiple players..they simply called the foul on the last player to touch him. Thats a easy call...if Wade is one on one with Dirk then maybe they dont call it...but if that is the case he makes the shot.

But given it was obvious there was some contact by the defense and the ref could see Dirks contact they blew the whistle on Dirk.

Add in that is Dwade at home...thats gonna get called more often than not.