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

[VarlosZ]

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.

[Fallen Hero]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

[Taraz]

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.

[namknils]

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.

[JaredL]

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.

[MCS]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait, are you blaming the poll for this?

[ChuckyB]

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.

[Ryan Beal]

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.

[Phoenix1010]

I agree with JaredL.

[capone0]

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.