Comments on: A Difficult Conversation: Joey Crawford and the Spurs

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:45:59 +0000

Most Mav fans claim Danny Crawford poisons their chances. I’m sure he’ll be in a key game. While I see your point, I agree with the NBA: any ref should be able to ref any game. Joey should not be in the league, period, because he lost his cool and challenged a player to a fight. Joey should have been thrown out of that game. How many chances does a judge get if she abuses her power? What if a teacher loses his cool and slaps a kid? The police officer only beat up Rodney King once, right? Second chances, sure, but in another line of work.

By: LionZion

LionZion — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:19:27 +0000

If the game is close, human nature and implicit biases are impossible to predict. I really hope we play strong and not keep it too close for the refs to have an impact.

By: Latin_D

Latin_D — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:41:25 +0000

Spot on, Graydon. Great article.

That said, I sincerely doubt Joey will have that much influence in tonight’s game. The stage is too important.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:54:48 +0000

If Dirk takes 25 free throws tonight…

By: SpurredOn

SpurredOn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:40:27 +0000

Krista: I appreciate your perspective from being courtside. I’d hope that Joey has moved past whatever Duncan and/or Spurs bias he has. Perhaps the suspension in ’07 plus time allowed for healing. I had forgotten about Nies as that one is definitely a one-on-one problem. I just hope no ref-player feud ever makes it to the Drexler/O’Donnell level from the ’90s. In light of O’Donnell’s career ending as a likely result of that, Graydon’s request does not seem unfair or unrealistic. That it hasn’t happened gives me shallow hope that their relationship was repaired.

The odd parallel with tonight again being a game 3, in Dallas, in a 1-1 series, does not escape me. Hopefully it is all non issue and the Spurs play better and earn the win. That Joey could be present and invisible in such a critical game might help bury the past for good. He obviously plays a part in that happening but I certainly have hope.

By: Jesse Blanchard

Jesse Blanchard — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:18:43 +0000

Damn…normally, back when I was working for newspapers and writing my own blogs, I tried to keep my posts intelligent and with room for discussion (even if the few things I’ve posted here arent’).

But Joey F-ing Crawford?! I hate conspiracy theorists, Stern haters, and really any excuses, but: Joey F-ing Crawford!

My exact first words after the last game ended, and before heading to Fiesta, “The only thing that can ruin this is if Joey Crawford shows up for Game 3.”

So, again, before the game starts I have a feeling that this post will have some sort of relevance by the end of the night: Joey F-ing Crawford.

By: Krista

Krista — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:37:52 +0000

In the last week of the regular season, Crawford worked a Spurs home game. As usual, the officiating was suspect. As the only recognizable ref, Crawford was singled out by fans near me. However, I noticed that Crawford was the only ref calling anything in the Spurs favor (Tim included).

While I get where you are coming from, my observations indicate the possibility that Tim and Joey made amends. I’ve also noticed them interacting on the court. If you recall, Tim had a run in with Jack Nies a few years ago. Nies does seem to hold a grudge. And Tim avoids him still. At least that’s been my observation at home games.