Why no foul calls?

[sk82day]

Over the past week or 2 of games the Cavs get less and less foul calls for them. I said this early in the season, it seems like after every whistle Cavs players go and discuss the call with the refs, over and over. Sometimes as many as 15+ times a game. Could this be part of the reason for the sudden drop in calls for them? What do the rest of you think, has merit? No bearing?

[drewd]

Over the past week or 2 of games the Cavs get less and less foul calls for them. I said this early in the season, it seems like after every whistle Cavs players go and discuss the call with the refs, over and over. Sometimes as many as 15+ times a game. Could this be part of the reason for the sudden drop in calls for them? What do the rest of you think, has merit? No bearing?

B/c LeBron whines to much and has a bad reputation with the refs...

I hate NBA refs personally, I think they swing games on purpose for the ratings, the closer the games the more ppl stay tuned in and stay in the arena...

They should fire them all, and hire college refs...

[Bill the Butcher]

I think it's obvious that they aren't getting alot of calls lately... but I feel it's the same for the other teams as well. I think it's just the refs letting them play. I've always wanted them to "let them play" instead of calling these meaningless fouls, and I noticed it hardcore during the game vs the Lakers. I liked it. Hard-nosed basketball.

On the other side of the spectrum, LBJ has been a bit of a crybaby lately. During tonight's game, sometimes it was warranted... but during the Lakers game, most of the plays where he was complaining about not getting the call was a play where he really wasn't fouled.

[OldDawg]

A major reason the Cavs aren't going to the line is that they aren't going inside nearly as much. They are taking a ton of jump shots (a horrible habit for this team to get into). They aren't attacking the rim on the drive or posting up nearly as much. That is how you go to the line.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

I think it's obvious that they aren't getting alot of calls lately... but I feel it's the same for the other teams as well. I think it's just the refs letting them play. I've always wanted them to "let them play" instead of calling these meaningless fouls, and I noticed it hardcore during the game vs the Lakers. I liked it. Hard-nosed basketball.

On the other side of the spectrum, LBJ has been a bit of a crybaby lately. During tonight's game, sometimes it was warranted... but during the Lakers game, most of the plays where he was complaining about not getting the call was a play where he really wasn't fouled.

I think the notion of "letting them play" goes out the window when the game isn't called the same for both teams. You bring up the LA game where LeBron repeatedly is hacked (murdered some of the time) and gets no call and then on the opposite end, LeBron is called for a foul when Kobe is taking a fadeaway jumpshot. I'm sorry but I see at least 10 times a game where LeBron drives, gets some (not a lot but enough for any other player in the league to get the call) body contact and gets no call, and then watch him justifiably complain. It's going back to the Shaq-rules of basketball; LeBron is just SOOO much more big/quick/dominant than anybody else, he gets special, albeit unfair, treatment.

I do have to say that I don't like where this Cavs team is going in the whining department. A few more games like this and they'll be in San Antonio and Detroit territory.

[Juannieboy]

Calls. No calls. I'm convinced it has more to do with the eye of the beholder (fan). I was reading a TrailBazers blogs game and post game thread this AM and they were complaining bitterly about the refs last night. Really? That's not the way I viewed it. If anybody got jobbed by the Zebras last night it was the Cavs. Right?

The refs have a tough job. They are not often in the best position to see everything or they see fouls, traveling, last touches and other calls from the wrong angle. Also, I think the speed of the NBA game makes it very hard for them to be consisent and correct more often than not.

I hate them just as much as the next guy but I think the players understand that its part of the game that has to be overcome. Last night the Cavs did and won. This morning the Trailbazer fans are complaining like the friggin losers they are.

Sure, Lebron complains alot and I think most of it is justifed. If it were me, I'd complain alot more and probably would have been tossed from half the games so far.

[Toxicadam]

It's just the way the league is. Home cooking has become an understood reality. Next time we are at home, try to be objective and see the calls that start coming our way.

[Ziner]

A major reason the Cavs aren't going to the line is that they aren't going inside nearly as much. They are taking a ton of jump shots (a horrible habit for this team to get into). They aren't attacking the rim on the drive or posting up nearly as much. That is how you go to the line.

ding ding ding... we got a winner. This is the reason Larry Hughes never went to the foul line and Sasha never goes. In 39 games played thus far in 2009 Sasha has gone to the line 25 times.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

It's just the way the league is. Home cooking has become an understood reality. Next time we are at home, try to be objective and see the calls that start coming our way.

I've seen terrible calls go against the Cavs at home games as well. I was at the Boston game in January where ref #9 made 3 terrible calls in the opening minutes of the game. I don't think it's really home cooking; I think the refs are just THAT bad. The speed of the game doesn't help but it doesn't seem like the NBA cares too much about the quality of reffing, only that they don't bet on games.


And I'd like to think of myself has pretty objective because no one (among people I watch games with) points out LeBron's walks (dramatization: ) more than me.

[Juannieboy]

And I'd like to think of myself has pretty objective because no one (among people I watch games with) points out LeBron's walks (dramatization: ) more than me.

The King was called twice for walking/steps/traveling last night. Yet, all Boston, Washington, etc. fans complain about is that he gets away with it more often than not. They claim that the league wants LeBron to be the face of the NBA and accords him special favor and rules!

[rebelwithoutaclue]

And I'd like to think of myself has pretty objective because no one (among people I watch games with) points out LeBron's walks (dramatization: ) more than me.

The King was called twice for walking/steps/traveling last night. Yet, all Boston, Washington, etc. fans complain about is that he gets away with it more often than not. They claim that the league wants LeBron to be the face of the NBA and accords him special favor and rules!

I think he's been called for traveling/carrying more this year than in the rest of his career combined. At least they're (sorta, I'm looking at you D-Wade) calling it on all the stars.

[AK-ROWDY]

I think that the crab dribble might have hurt LeBron because now the refs are looking out for it. That explains the increase in travel calls. Also the ref that called the travel agianst LBJ in Washington empowered the others and have made them realize that he's not perfect. k

[fundamentals]

LBJ has whined, cried, complained about officiating since he was at Akron SVSM. He constantly was posing to them about non-calls, etc... Funny thing was/is in the state finals in his junior season, he was beaten up the entire game by Beckham Wyrick (who went onto play at Davidson, I believe) and the officials paid no attention to it, including a vicious elbow he took to the stomach very early in that game, so I don't find it surprising that he's not getting things called in his favor.

[hermanfontenot]

B/c LeBron whines to much and has a bad reputation with the refs...

That can't be it. The Spurs are the whiniest team in the league and they don't get hosed. The '80s Celtics were the biggest bunch of crybabies I've ever seen on a basketball court, hands-down, and they got EVERY call.

[Bill the Butcher]

It's just the way the league is. Home cooking has become an understood reality. Next time we are at home, try to be objective and see the calls that start coming our way.

Although I may like it when the calls go our way if/when we're in The Finals... but I still frown upon the idea of homecourt advantage and home cooking calls.

[Juannieboy]

B/c LeBron whines to much and has a bad reputation with the refs...

That can't be it. The Spurs are the whiniest team in the league and they don't get hosed. The '80s Celtics were the biggest bunch of crybabies I've ever seen on a basketball court, hands-down, and they got EVERY call.

I think part of it is that LeBron is so good and so gifted and he makes it look so easy that if a call is "borderline" he won't get the call. But, lets face it, at times he has been absolutely mugged without a call too.

Having said that, the refs hear it from both sides all game long and during time-outs. After listening ,or pretending to listen, I bet they just tune it out. Like I do my wife sometimes.