Grizzlies Coach David Fizdale goes off on refs

[RuanuLaw]

To just point to a FT disparity is the cop out. Show me examples.

Otherwise, you're arguing FT numbers should largely be equal, assuming both teams were equally as aggressive as the other, and that's not true. Some teams are just better at defending without fouling than others.

Did you watch the video? You want an example:

-how about the last Memphis/Spurs game. Leonard was awarded 19 FTs, while the ENTIRE Memphis team was only awarded 15. That seems ok to you? Memphis is known to be one of the tougher teams in the league and just a bit ago people were hoping that the Warriors got to face the Grizzlies because of how tough they were going to play them. Now all of a sudden the Grizzlies are a jump shooting perimeter team with no physicality to their game?!?!? I don't think so.

-Iguodala slapping down on player's writs and fouling them all the time when they drive to the hoop, yet it never gets called. Why is that? Cause Iguadallalalala is just so good at smacking wrists without fouling?

-Draymond Green showboating and yelling at refs on a daily basis...why is he not called techs more often? Whereas Richard Jefferson just LOOKED at a player after dunking on him and got hit with a tech.

-Tim Donaghy. Need I say more? http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/disgraced-nba-ref-spills-beans-about

Is this enough examples for you?

I'm not saying that the "fix" is on at all times....all I'm saying is that the "fix" can be easily implemented whenever needed. The league has the ability to shift the ref's perspectives by sending them "study footage" of "things to keep an eye on" before each game.

 

[gourimoko]

To just point to a FT disparity is the cop out. Show me examples.

Otherwise, you're arguing FT numbers should largely be equal, assuming both teams were equally as aggressive as the other, and that's not true. Some teams are just better at defending without fouling than others.

Rich, I think Fizdale's comments are in the context of a post-playoff game press conference; so the commentary comes immediate thereafter. I watched the game last night before I went to sleep, and I'm very much rooting for the Spurs.

And with that said, I can't help but to conclude that Fizdale was 100% correct. And while he articulated his frustrations with mostly just implications without laying out a concrete case, I do think most people who watch that game would come away thinking the Grizzlies were literally being cheated. That's definitely what I came away thinking, and again, I'm hoping they get swept.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Glad to see a coach speak up, fine be damned.

Leagues have their favored franchises, and they need to be called out for it. It's obnoxious, and it costs teams money.

 

[ACisKING]

Is there any credible evidence that a coach complaining about refereeing to the media actually leads to his team getting more favorable whistles? Cause I could just as easily see it going the other way with the refs and/or the league punishing said coach for speaking up about it.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Is there any credible evidence that a coach complaining about refereeing to the media actually leads to his team getting more favorable whistles? Cause I could just as easily see it going the other way with the refs and/or the league punishing said coach for speaking up about it.

I would bet $100, that the game immediately after something like this would favor the the coach who spoke up 90% of the time. I cant think of a time it didn't work.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I would bet $100, that the game immediately after something like this would favor the the coach who spoke up 90% of the time. I cant think of a time it didn't work.

I agreed, I recall the Pistons getting the benefit of the doubt after Van Gundy bitched last year.

Of course I also remember LeBron getting elbowed in the neck by Drummond with nary a word from the replay crew or Lue, so it was likely just another day in the office for the zebras.

 

[Simon]

Sounds like all Grizzlies players are paying Fizdale fine.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

May

To just point to a FT disparity is the cop out. Show me examples.

Otherwise, you're arguing FT numbers should largely be equal, assuming both teams were equally as aggressive as the other, and that's not true. Some teams are just better at defending without fouling than others.

I thought the disparity between points in the paint and fouls was pretty telling. Grizzly were scoring much more in the paint but not getting the calls.

That is...Unlikely.

 

[Photon]

The way all of our big 3 play (Kev is getting hammered and pushed on his "bunnies") you would expect way more fts for us. They never come. It gives defense way more power and easier way of defending our best weapons.
Let the players decide games. It's one thing to be wrong on 50/50, but grabbing and pushing is "illegal".
And it bothers me a lot when fans try to explain how it's just a part of the game, it is but because it is, they drive the game the way players cannot utilize their talents and skills.

 

[Crosby_Cavs]

And now they are 2-2. I would love to see Lue say something similiar but he has class right? screw his "class" and dumb face.

Fizdale to Cleveland!

 

[Jordan]

And now they are 2-2. I would love to see Lue say something similiar but he has class right? screw his "class" and dumb face.

Fizdale to Cleveland!

You mean like when Lue said this after Game 4 of the Finals?

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/06/tyronn_lue_fined_25000_for_pub.html

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating crew following Cleveland's 108-97 loss on Friday night during Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, a game that pushed his team to the brink of elimination.

Lue and the Cavaliers were upset with the physical contact and lack of calls for LeBron James, who took four free throws in the loss.

"He never gets calls," Lue said. "I mean, he attacks. He's one of the most -- outside of Russell Westbrook, he's one of the guys that attacks the paint every single play. And he doesn't get a fair whistle all the time because of his strength and because of his power and guys bounce off of him. But those are still fouls and we weren't able to get them. But we've got to play through officiating."

The disparaging comments are out of character for Lue. He has repeatedly said he won't politick for whistles or try to pick up technical fouls just to get the officials' attention.

But James' lack of free throws has been bothersome during this series, as Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green have kept James from getting a clear path to the rim. James is averaging 4.3 free throws per game in The Finals.

"Well, it's been like that all year for the most part," James said about taking contact. "I'm not quite sure what I can do personally to get to the free-throw line, but I've got to continue to be aggressive for our team. I'm getting hit, but the refs are not seeing it that way, on my drives. But I've got to continue to be aggressive for our team. That's who I am, that's what opens up the floor for a lot of our shooters, and just worry about the results afterwards.

"You know, it's tough playing 46 minutes and only going to the line four times, as much as I attack the rim. So it's just a tough situation for our team."

The Cavs trail the best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 Monday night at Oracle Arena.

 

[CHIMOCHIS]

Lue exposed as an undercover genius

No wonder the King loves him

 

[Randolphkeys]

You mean like when Lue said this after Game 4 of the Finals?

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/06/tyronn_lue_fined_25000_for_pub.html

Haters will have to take THAT for data. I think the Grizzlies have galvanized around their coach after his rant. Refs might have checked their own biases a little, but the key to Memphis coming back is the players putting forth maximum effort. No coach can constantly pull a Fizdale, but a smart coach picks his spots.

 

[cavsfever]

You mean like when Lue said this after Game 4 of the Finals?

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/06/tyronn_lue_fined_25000_for_pub.html

Average FTAs for Lebron, Games 1-4 of Finals: 4.25 FTA per game

Average FTAs for Lebron, Games 5-7 of Finals: 8.66 FTA per game

Double the FTAs after Lue spoke up.

If you don't work the system as a coach, you're flat-out not doing your job.

 

[shoes22]

Average FTAs for Lebron, Games 1-4 of Finals: 4.25 FTA per game

Average FTAs for Lebron, Games 5-7 of Finals: 8.66 FTA per game

Double the FTAs after Lue spoke up.

If you don't work the system as a coach, you're flat-out not doing your job.

I think Lue knows this, he just wants to pick his spots.

While complaining about the officials does tend to work, it doesn’t work the more that you do it. So when you do it it should be when it can have the maximum impact.