Re: Joe Crawford fixes games
[edit] 2003 NBA Playoffs
During Game 2 of the Western Conference finals of the
2003 NBA Playoffs, Crawford assessed four technical fouls in the first 10 minutes, 11 seconds of the game, including two technical fouls and an ejection of
Don Nelson, then head coach of the
Dallas Mavericks, for not returning to his team's bench after disputing a foul called against his team. Later in the game, he ejected Nelson's assistant coach,
Del Harris.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-Arehart_1-3>
[2]</SUP><SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-ESPN_7-1>
[8]</SUP>
[edit] Games officiated milestone
Crawford officiated in his 2,000th NBA game between the
Los Angeles Lakers and
Philadelphia 76ers on
November 11,
2005. He was the sixth NBA referee in history to reach such a milestone, joining
Jake O'Donnell,
Dick Bavetta,
Earl Strom, and
Tommy Nunez.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-NBA_2-1>
[3]</SUP>
[edit] Tim Duncan altercation
On
April 15,
2007, Crawford ejected
San Antonio Spurs superstar
Tim Duncan for supposedly laughing at Crawford from his seat on the bench during a game against the
Dallas Mavericks. Duncan also supposedly insulted Crawford with an expletive.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-ESPN_7-2>
[8]</SUP> Duncan alleges that Crawford challenged him to a fight on the court.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-AP_8-0>
[9]</SUP> On April 17, Crawford was suspended for the remainder of the
2006-07 season and the
2007 Playoffs as a result of this altercation, ending his 21 consecutive Finals appearances. The league also fined Duncan $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official and warned that a repeat incident in the future would result in an ejection.
Commissioner David Stern said Crawford's actions "failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees."<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-ESPN_7-3>
[8]</SUP> Crawford met with league officials on
July 30,
2007 to discuss his future in the NBA, but no resolution was reached between the two parties.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-meeting_9-0>
[10]</SUP> On
September 17,
2007, the NBA announced Crawford's reinstatement. Commissioner Stern met with Crawford and stated, ?Based on my meeting with Joey Crawford, his commitment to an ongoing counseling program and a favorable professional evaluation that was performed at my direction, I am satisfied that Joey understands the standards of game management and professionalism the NBA expects from him and that he will be able to conduct himself in accordance with those standards.?<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-reinstatement_10-0>
[11]</SUP>
[edit] 2008 Playoffs and ongoing controversy with the San Antonio Spurs
In the
2008 Playoffs, Crawford was chosen to officiate Game 4 between the
San Antonio Spurs and the
Los Angeles Lakers. In the closing seconds of the game, there was a crucial no-call where the Spurs'
Brent Barry was fouled by
Derek Fisher. Crawford was the closest official to the call, and the NBA later apologized for the lack of a call.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-2008playoffs_11-0>
[12]</SUP>
[edit] 2009 Playoffs and controversy with the Houston Rockets
In the
2009 Playoffs, Crawford created considerable controversy with many questionable calls in the second game of the 1st round series between the
Houston Rockets and
Portland Trailblazers. There were a many questionable calls during the game, and many fans from both sides initially said early on that the refs were "overplaying" the game. But major outcry from Rockets fans came from the final 1.5 second of the game. The Rockets were down by two points, and
Rudy Fern?ndez tripped and fell down while attempting to take a throw in from out of bounds. Fernandez clearly knocked the ball out of bounds and was not touched by a Rockets player. Crawford who was only a few feet away automatically called the foul on Houston despite no evidence of contact, sealing the game for the Portland Trailblazers.