Lakers coach Jackson fined for slamming referees

[steven johnson]

It seemed like strange refereeing.

Tue May 26, 2009 9:03pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was fined $25,000 by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday for publicly criticizing game officials.
The Lakers organization was also fined $25,000 for their coach's comments, NBA executive vice-president of basketball operations Stu Jackson said in a statement.
Jackson was critical of refereeing during the Lakers' crushing 120-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday in Game Four of their Western Conference finals series.
He was especially scathing of the decision to call Lakers reserve forward Luke Walton for a technical foul after he had complained about being elbowed by Denver's Nene.
"It was an off-ball cut, and the referee gave him a technical then subsequently gave him three consecutive fouls out on the floor," Jackson told reporters.


  http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE54Q06320090527?feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews

[madinmaryland]

1. The height of irony. The Fakers and Phil Jackson complaining about calls.

What a fucking joke. STFU Jackson. You've been getting calls go your way for 20 years.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Ain't it though?! nt

[joeybee12]

5. Amen! Is he the Coach K of the NBA? n/t

[Upton]

2. Jackson's just playing games like he always does

hoping to have the calls go in the Lakers direction in the upcoming games. Actually, he's been rather effective over the years in influencing referees..it's one of the reasons why the NBA is just so much BS.

[thewiseguy]

4. I did not see that jackass complaining after game 3.

[LisaM]

6. Where was his outrage in the 2004 finals?

That said, NBA officiating is ridiculous. Why can't those guys straighten up and just call the game on the floor? Do they not see the stuff they don't call? Are they really favoring certain players and teams (yes). Do they seriously think it's okay to have a two-tiered system of refereeing for rookies and stars? Until they fix all that, their sport will have no credibility.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Exactly. Put a sock in it, Phil. nt