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Hoop it up all week with SI.com's writers in the NBA Playoffs Blog, a daily journal of NBA commentary, on-site reporting and reader-driven discussions.
3:00 PM ET, 6/20/06

Does Cuban help or hurt Mavs?

Posted by Paul Forrester
It appears the NBA and the Mavericks' owner are at war again. After watching his team lose a gut-wrenching Game 5 in Miami when Dwyane Wade converted a pair of free throws with less than two seconds left in overtime following a controversial foul call, Mark Cuban jumped to the floor to confront referee Joe DeRosa before yelling in the direction of commissioner David Stern and other league officials seated in the stands. Cuban further ran afoul of league brass when he unleashed a host of swear words before the press in a postgame interview.

For its part, the league unleashed its own assault on Cuban, hitting the Dallas owner with a $250,000 fine prior to Game 6. Nothing new there; Cuban racked up $1 million in fines in the first two years he owned the team and added another $200,000 earlier in these playoffs when he ventured onto the court –- and again criticized officials -- after Game 1 of the conference semifinals versus the Spurs.

Is this all worth it? Does Cuban's on-again, off-again battle with the league help his team or hurt it? What do you think?
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Posted: 3:33 PM   by Anonymous
I think Cuban helps not just the Mavericks but the whole of the NBA--any publicity is good publicity for the NBA, and Cuban brings needed energy and attention to the league whether you disagree with him or not. Cuban's also been huge in connecting the Internet generation to the NBA with his blog, as well as providing an access to the inner workings of an owner to the general public. The Mavericks are interesting to watch, and it's because of Cuban's actions, including his outbursts.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
You can't really faulty Cuban for being upset. Sure, he's very outspoken in favor of his team, but I am sure there are about 30 other teams who would love to have an owner as passionate as this guy is for them. I personally feel He actually has a point with the phantom faoul by Dirk and for the generally poor officiating we have been seeing this series. They need to just let these teams play, plain and simple.
Posted: 3:53 PM   by Jason
Cuban's antics deliver against his intent to 'have his point heard'. The man is obviously a brilliant business man and professes to run his team in the same manner. Just think how many articles will be written about his 'blow up' over officiating. He'll draw attention to himself and the 'issue' he represents, thus taking away heat from his own team. As long as he doesn't attempt to 'show up the refs', I'm sure the Mavs will get a few more calls this game...
Posted: 3:59 PM   by Anonymous
The Mavs franchise wouldn't have ever turned around had Mark Cuban not bought them and invested heavily in turning them into winners. If he doesn't mind paying the fines then let it be!
Posted: 4:07 PM   by Anonymous
The league needs officals to match the talent of the players. I think several of the officals should be watching the game from a easy chair. There are way to many fouls called when there is no contact and many not called when there is contact. I called high school ball for 20 yrs and we would have had an escort from the gym if we called the way the NBA calls games. It is a disgrace to the league.
Posted: 4:37 PM   by Frank Humada
I am so tired of Cuban and the Mavs complaining since round two. It reflects negatively on the team as well as the league. His remarks in round two changed the whole series and ultimately giving the Mavs the a round three birth. His complaining has led to the game being changed in favor of the Mavs, so Cuban is good for the Mavericks. He does hurt the team when he acts like an idiot at the games because this maes the rest of the viewing public dislike this man then perhaps dislike the Mavs by association.
Posted: 4:43 PM   by Anonymous
If you know anything about the history of the Mavs. They had in the 90s the worse winning percentage of any professional team. ANY ! Then you know that Cuban is the reason the Mavs are in the finals. He is the best thing to ever happen to the franchise. There is no question. I'll take whatever little bad he does, because of the amazing good he has done.
Posted: 4:55 PM   by Anonymous
i think it helps the mavs, everybody with dallas was feeling the same emotions cuban was after game 5 and i think his comments and his punishment from the league will just be motivation, i dont think the team sees him as a liability at all.
Posted: 4:59 PM   by TenTex
I think Mark Cuban has done a lot of positive things for the Dallas Mavericks which has in turn benefited the NBA. Unfortunately his style of openly complaining and critizing whoever and whenever he wants underminds all the positive things he has done to this point. It is evident his style rubs off on his entire organization. The way Avery Johnson and other players have responded when they loose mirrors Mark Cuban's style. I don't see how this will help them focus to win. I think it is all entertaining which the NBA needs all it can get to increase ratings. I have a hunch tonights ratings will be sky high.
Posted: 5:03 PM   by Anonymous
Ya know its quite inspiring to learn about what Mark Cuban has accomplished in his life. The guy is obviously brillant when it comes to technology and business ventures. There is no doubt over-all he has done alot to build the Mavericks and their fan base to the success it is today. But his recent behavior is nothing
short of disappointing.

To BLOG "The league is rigged"?? and to cast doubt to the legitimacy of the league is irresponsible and nothing less then destructive to the NBA and a slap in the face to the intergral character of all the players, coaches and many others that have dedicated their lives to the sport.

With that, here are some quotes for Mr. Cuban:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul
be strengthened; vision cleared; ambition inspired, and success achieved. -- Helen Keller

Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in
control, they're in control." --Tom Landry
Posted: 5:08 PM   by Lynn Lee
Cuban is great for the Mavs! They know they are worth more than just the mighty dollar to him. AND, because he matches every fine with a donation to charity, let him speak, let them fine! I don't even know the name of other owners...how much do they care?
Posted: 5:08 PM   by TenTex
I think Mark Cuban has done a lot of positive things for the Dallas Mavericks which has in turn benefited the NBA. Unfortunately his style of openly complaining and critizing whoever and whenever he wants underminds all the positive things he has done to this point. It is evident his style rubs off on his entire organization. The way Avery Johnson and other players have responded when they loose mirrors Mark Cuban's style. I don't see how this will help them focus to win. I think it is all entertaining which the NBA needs all it can get to increase ratings. I have a hunch tonights ratings will be sky high.
Posted: 5:17 PM   by Anonymous
Mark Cuban does not help or hurt the Mavs. He helps the entire NBA by pointing out what is wrong with the refereeing system oversight by NBA top management. Suppose Cuban is right! Does the NBA improve the poor refereeing (or fixing) of games by punishing the very person trying to point this out? Should Cuban refrain from speaking his mind just to appease NBA management? If mistakes are made the concerned referee should be fined and reprimanded! And if this becomes a recurring problem, such referee(s) should be fired! Has this ever happened in the history of the NBA? If not, then why should NBA management overlook/help referees to fix games? For it is obvious to me (and maybe many others) that is what management is doing!!

By the way, are the referees following orders from top NBA management to guarantee a game six or a game seven? What a myopic view this will be indeed!!

/CS
Posted: 5:36 PM   by Anonymous
How can you guys even think Cuban is wrong. He must be a inspiration for all owners who spend money for the team. People like Stern, Jackson need to be held accountable and every decision they make needs to be justified ( esp Stack's issue ).
There is no doubt NBA is so much biased towards Superstars and if it has grow internationally to much wider audience, this bias has to go away and shame on NBA officials and people like Stern, Jackson. Why dont you old guys just sit at home.
Posted: 5:39 PM   by Anonymous
Sorry, but I met Cuban while he was still shopping broadcast.com. As much success as he has had, it was more a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

I wonder if he ever looks up and realizes that he has the potential to be much more than a child in his own amazing sand box.

In this case, there are MUCH better ways to improve the officiating in the NBA. If he were such an insightful businessman, he would have moved on to a new strategy with greater impact.

As for whether he has a positive or negative influence on the Mavs... overall, positive. This assessment is based on a pure quantitative analysis of where the Mavs were and where they are now. Short term, however, if he's got the players whining like him and they lose focus for Game 6, 'nuff said.
Posted: 5:39 PM   by Anonymous
The Mavs are where they are this year because of Avery Johnson. Having a wealthy "media craving" owner is just a bonus.
Posted: 5:40 PM   by ctigera
I think Cuban helps his team and the league. I've loved the NBA for years, but there are times I can't watch because the officiating is so terrible. I'm pulling for the Heat and I was scratching my head over some calls. But they almost always go both ways, the league isn't interested in a 4 game sweep. The Mavs will get the calls tonight then on to game 7. Sometimes it's like watching WWE. The NBA has a product, and it's superstars to protect.
Posted: 5:41 PM   by AJ
I think Cuban is a pompous, arrogant idiot. He's definitely a smart and brillian businessman because he's taken a crappy team and made them a contender. But he crosses the line from being an enthusiastic owner to a crazy fanatical fan. How long before he loses it and bumps or swings at a ref or gets on the court during a fight between players? I think the league needs to draw up some rules for owners as well. Most importantly stop the whining. They got all the phantom fouls when they played the spurs and that's how they got a 3-1 lead. They shot 49 free throws in one of those games. So you take the good and the bad and realize you're on national tv looking like a complete jackass!
Posted: 5:51 PM   by shm
will you guys stop acting like cuban press agent.
He acts like a spoiled brat, not just a fan, and not like a respectable owner.
All you people saying, that the Mavs are winners now. Are you saying as long as you win, you can act any way you like?
when players act like this, we scold them. But its OK for an owner to act like this?
staring down Stern. LOL. are you serious? is this the 8th grade??
An owner can be passionate and even a celebrity (malloof brothers). It is not his "passion" thats the problem, its his temper. sorry, but even a 6 year old would not be allowed to act like that, and call it "passion"

sorry, but Cuban is not the one connecting the internet generation to the NBA. Not that many people read his blog.

Brilliant businessman? i dont think so. He made a smart business move, during the internet bubble. His vision has yet to prove itself, Yahoo looks like fools for buying his company.
Posted: 5:52 PM   by Anonymous
Neither team is a favorite but I would like to see Dallas win. Yes Cuban has helped Dallas since taking over. But he is hurting them in the short term. They now seem to be a reflection of him when they lose.

With that said, the refs need to step it up. It seems every game I have watched and the whistle blows, Hubie Brown makes the comment "the refs had a bad angle". There is a huge problem with that. If they cannot see if a foul was commited, then don't call it. Otherwise get more refs on the court.
Posted: 5:56 PM   by Anonymous
I think NBA should have some rules to control the referees. The players should decide the result, not the officials. Otherwise, NBA will be no more interest to the funs. So I think cuban is right
Posted: 5:59 PM   by R
Cuban is only good for Cuban. The man is not only doing good for the Mavs, he is doing for himself. He is a showman and adores the limelight. You want to see class? Check out the San Antonio Spurs!
Posted: 6:02 PM   by RM
Cuban is a showman and adores the limelight. If that means making himself look like a total jackass so be it! He is doing more good,publicity wise, for the mavs than anything else going on right now. Who's watching the game? They're watching Cuban on the sidelines. You want class, check out the San Antonio Spurs!
Posted: 6:05 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban is not only unsportsman-like, but he seems like a very spoiled child. Whenever something that is a close call goes opposite his wish, he has a emotional tantrum (on national TV) and often blames the refs and NBA commision. Its very tiresome, and puts a bad face on a very talented and humble Mavericks team. The NBA does not need Cuban blasting the refs, because the game should be about the players, on the court, not the money man off the court. And accusing refs of foul play is even worse. If the refs (who call the games to the best of there abilities) are wrong about one call (that won't be overturned no matter the complaints), so be it. Wrong calls are part of the game, and they go for both sides at times. Coming from a fan of the sport of Basketball: Mark Cuban. Sit down, shut up, and watch the game!!
Posted: 6:06 PM   by Anonymous
The time to protest is after the finals. Right now all he does is provide a distraction and get the Mavs thinking about the refs instead of thinking about putting the ball in the basket.
Posted: 6:11 PM   by fb
To ask the question is to answer it -- the only reason anyone is talking about the Mavs in June is that Cuban turned them around with good management and smart personnel moves. Clearly there is a downside, just like there is with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. But I'll take a passionate owner who puts money and time into running the team -- the same way Jones does -- any day of the week. No doubt about it: The Mavs are in the finals because Cuban cares about how they do.
Posted: 6:12 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban for President!
Posted: 6:12 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban complaints have no impact on the game anyway. The officials are going to do the job the way they do.

Moreover, Cuban complaints for the final play were not ligitimate. There was no backcourt violations. There was no foul to Jason Terry (JT, please doesnt flop again, people only remember your elbow to Tony Parker and punch to Michael Finley). There were two fouls from the Mavs in the final play of Gm 5: one from Devin Harris (check picture in Miami Herald) and one from Dirk (check picture from gettyimage.com). Dirk clearly graped Wade's jersey at the waist with his right hand in the final drive. So, Here you go, Cuban is just a whiner with no beef.
Posted: 6:13 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban is a disgrace. The NBA, for some reason, does not see fit to hold its owners to the same standard of conduct as the players. If a player goes into the stands, that player is automatically suspended. Why should an owner, a league representative, be permitted to go onto the court and confront an official? And given Cuban's financial resources, a fine for this man amounts to a slap on the wrist. He should have been suspended from attending any NBA game for a significant duration (half a season maybe). So, Cuban is a disgrace as a person and the NBA a bigger disgrace for permitting their owners to conduct themselves in any manner they see fit.
Posted: 6:15 PM   by Anonymous
After reading some of the comments on here, I will have to say one thing.... please read the new "Inside the NBA" edition by Marty Burns. Having played basketball throughout highschool and college, I can only say one thing... officiating doesn't decide games... players do. A team has to put themselves in a position to win regardless of the what the officiating might do. If you have to rely on officials call to win or lose games, then your team hasn't doesn the job to pull off a decisive win.

I do not disagree with the fact that it may have been a controversial call that Wade received at the end of OT in game 5, but let's be honest... this is the NBA, and if you are a superstar in the NBA, you are going to get that call in crunch time. Those type of "controversial" calls happen all the time in the NBA when it comes down to superstars. But I digress into something that probably requires much more discussion.
Posted: 6:16 PM   by Anonymous
I am sick of the sports writers and commentators whining about Cuban/Mavs whining. Fact is, Cuban's right. The league, through officiating has steered the outcomes of games at critical times in favor of the Heat.

Deal with it.
Posted: 6:17 PM   by Anonymous
To aj... was the gap of free throws that big compared to Game 5?
Posted: 6:20 PM   by Anonymous
Someone finally said it. Here! Here!

The NBA is in danger of becoming as credible as professional wrestling.

Time to fine some officials.
Posted: 6:26 PM   by Anonymous
Mark Cuban turned around a pathetic franchise. The man is a self made billionaire, and he has the Middas Touch, turning the biggest piece of trash into a huge chunk of gold. Anyone calling the man an idiot should get themselves neutered so they can't pollute the gene pool further. It's B.S. that this man should have to pay these huge fines for speaking his mind. All he is trying to do is fix the mistakes of this league, and he is getting punished worse then the early Christians. I thought this was America, where our first amendment is the freedom of speech. If you don't like what the guy has to say, then don't listen, turn off your T.V.. He is so right, and I hope that when David Stern retires, they give the show to Cuban. You think the game was turned around when Stern took over, I bet that Mark Cuban makes turns the NBA into America's favorite sport, ahead of football. If he can fill the Mavericks arena after all the bad seasons they had before he bought the team, imagine what he could do with an already thriving league. This isn't an opinion, it's based strictly on fact!
Posted: 6:34 PM   by Anonymous
i beilive that Mark Cuban should be punished for his outbursts. I mean every time something happens to his team he says that its either the Leaue or the other teams fault. Cuban said that it was Finley's fault he got punched by Terry. The NBA should not allow him to post these outragously stupid comments on his dumb blog!!!!!! Cuban needs to grow up and develope a tuff skin if he wants to last long as an NBA owner.
Posted: 6:37 PM   by Anonymous
"I think Cuban is a pompous, arrogant idiot. "
Well this might very well be the case. He does not seem to be very likeable to me - but so far he has lead the Mavericks to unprecedenet success.

The important point is that the refereeing has been scandalously poor in the finals (and in several other playoff games I did follow) and that the sports media seem to be very content with it.
I have the impression the big sports media are doing a rather poor job analyzing the playoffs and do not dare to publish any criticism. As long as they have one or two stars to celebrate - all is well??

E.g. in the first round of the playoffs any rule about offensive fouls must have been deleted out of the rule book.
Posted: 6:44 PM   by Anonymous
An owner who continually seeks out the spotlight, upstaging his players, diminishes his players. The man should set a higher standard than storming the court, spewing obscenities, as it only reflects upon his team and fans. It's a shame that a fine series has to devolve into alibis, name-calling, and a dearth of class by non-combatants. I guess class is another thing that money can't buy.
Posted: 6:48 PM   by Anonymous
I see a lot of sour Dallas fans, who haven't obvious recovered from the coup the Heat has accomplished supporting Cuban, come what may. Losers quit and whiners whine. That's the story period. Mavericks's supporters are proving to be whiners...very funny to watch though
Posted: 6:51 PM   by Class Act
I love basketball. I was rooting for the Mavs. However, after watching Cuban's antics, I'm pulling for Miami. Not because he isn't right, but because he's a bad example for all who watch (young and old).

What have we come to when many fully justify his behavior as passion, competitiveness, and loyalty.

What happened to "CLASS". Have we become a culture that no longer gives even minute attention to this attribute? Cuban, clearly has none. He devalues the game, his players, basketball enthusiasts, U.S. Basketball, and himself. Cuban lends to an unfortunate "culture" of the sport (that feels more like WWF).

Could one imagine what the league would be like if all players and managers behaved as Cuban did? It would bring the league to a screeching halt.

Cuban is an embarrassment to the league. He needs to go. Let the Mavericks succeed without the black eye from their owner.

In order to preserve the integrity of the league, Cuban should fined him "his team". In other words, the NBA (a private enterprise) should force Cuban to sell his team.

Good riddens Cuban. Hello, civilized sports again.

P.S. I'm sure there's an acting role available for Cuban at the WWF.
Posted: 6:54 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban's antics are, to put it succinctly, disgraceful and sad. What's sadder, however, is that they are a reflection of how our moral standards, ethics and sense of right and wrong as a nation have deteriorated over the years, as illustrated by the many posts in support of his actions. While I was rooting for the Mavs, all I have to say now is... go Heat!
Posted: 6:55 PM   by Anonymous
I don't think there's any question Mark Cuban helps the Mavericks. Especially in the situation they were in and the meltdown they suffered, the team needs a lightning rod that they can rally around. Cuban's been providing that ever since he took over the team and they need to rally around one another if they are to win tonight.
Posted: 6:55 PM   by MJFanatic
I agree with the last poster. Cuban is the biggest idiot in professional sports. I would like to hear what the Mavs say about his behaviour, to me, it's embarassing. He is going way too far to get his point across, and ultimately this is going to hurt the Mavs because the officials are going to adopt, unconsciously or otherwise, a negative attitude toward the team as a whole. I would be embarassed to be affiliated with him in any way, shape or form. The way he goes about "getting change" is against every business-rule in the book. He acts like a child on the sidelines. He even goes into the huddle and suggests plays to his team, leave that up to the COACH OF THE YEAR. There is a clear difference between being passionate and being an idiot, Cuban definitely being the latter.


And if I were Avery Johnson I would be upset at all of the people who say that Cuban is the reason the Mavs have turned it around.
Posted: 7:04 PM   by Anonymous
PS - It's obvious who the Mavericks fans are! Who else would excuse such childish behavior?
Posted: 7:06 PM   by Anonymous
What does it say about the state of the NBA's officiating that we can make this a serious question. I thought an official in any sport was supposed to be above these sort of things. Its their job to take the moral high road and apply the rules evenly, regardless of their personal feelings towards a member of the team or a person's status in the league.
Posted: 7:22 PM   by Anonymous
Pretty simple question and pretty simple answer.

Like most institutions and corporations, transparency is almost always the best solution.

Cuban is driving the NBA ostrich league to a point where transparency might emerge.

If that happens, he will be the best thing to ever happen to the NBA.

If he fails, then the league will lose much more than Stern and his gang of lawyer theives will ever know..
Posted: 7:31 PM   by Bubba Gump
The NBA should be fined a quarter mill. What's an owner to do when he's invested millions only to have some incompetent refs call some imaginary fouls that converts a world championship into a joke! They should have put Cuban in the Ultimate Fighting Championship ring with any member of the league who had half the money they've fined Cuban and put it on pay-per-view, then they would have made more money and Cuban would have had his vengeance.
Posted: 7:31 PM   by Anonymous
I'm just curious how someone can charge out of the stands toward an official without security intervening. It would appear that any 'fan' upset with the officiating, or say, one player's performance, can step onto the court after the game and let them know how they feel. Mark Cuban - high r.p.m., low i.q....
Posted: 7:42 PM   by Anonymous
It's great that someone in a high profile position is saying what a lot of us have thought for years about the quality and bias of officiating in the league. There's no question that NBA officiating isn't about fairness and he steps up and says it. Of course he's biased toward his team, but he's also right. Having an owner who's the team's most vocal fan is great for Dallas and the NBA.
Posted: 7:45 PM   by Anonymous
No matter what, No matter how brilliant, smart, talented, etc a person is, he should be humble to be successful. Just because a person has money he can't be great. Mark Cuban is pathetic, doesn't know how to be composed. He is more like a 4-5 year old kid. I believe great players and great team don't whine. Great teams will prove their caliber in action rather than pointing fingers which is what Dallas is doing and they are proving that they are immatured as is Cuban. Mavs could have got better because of Mark Cuban over the past years but it is because of Mark Cuban they are not champions. As I mentioned before to be a champion and to be a role model you gotto be humble which Mavs cannot do it in Cuban's regime. Period.
Posted: 7:46 PM   by Anonymous
I agree with WHAT cuban is trying to do - improve the calls in games, but he does it in such a childish and unprofessional way, it puts him, his team, and the league in an unfavourable light.

Although I wonder, would Cuban be as vocal if the Mavs were already drinking celebratory Veuve Cliquot from the "Cup?" Likely not. (The Larry O'Brien trophy is nice, don't get me wrong, but hockey has it right in having a "Cup" from which to drink, but I digress...

Just because Cuban has the means to own an NBA franchise, this does not give him the right to act like a baby when things don't go his way. This appears to be what it's all about.
Posted: 7:46 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban is the one who ran his mouth off on David Letterman about he helped change the physical "Pat Riley" style of ball. Well, then, he gets to take the credit for Stack's suspension and all the ticky-tack calls that have gone against his team. Life's a bitch, huh?

He should stop complaining about the refs, and start complaining to Avery about his guards falling for Wade's pump fake 20 times a game. Maybe that will get fewer fouls called, eh?

And maybe he should re-think his fondness for no-contact non-physical NBA basketball.
Posted: 8:01 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban has his teams back, period. He doesn't sit in a luxury tower - aka owners box - and look down on the peasants. Cuban sees an issue, addresses the issue and doesn't back down from it. To quote Cuba Gooding in "Jerry Maguire" Cuban "doesn't dance, and those are the A,B,C's of him"
Posted: 8:06 PM   by Anonymous
Love him or hate him, I think Cuban has a point. He's not doing it in a very mature way, but if I had a billion dollars, I'd probably rush the court too. I've been watching the NBA for 18 years now and going all the way back to the showtime Lakers, I've noticed a big officiating bias. Whether its the home team bias or individual player bias, this problem eats at the heart of the game. Clean up the officiating now and make the game real. Let the players play and then maybe Mark Cuban can save some money.
Posted: 8:07 PM   by Anonymous
In my modest opinion, and for very obvious reasons, you can only give Cuban an A for his overall behavior. Way to go Mark!
Posted: 8:08 PM   by Anonymous
As a Miami fan I can say that game 5 was an embarrasement to the league. The league has always been one-sided while officiating for the home teams and certain players (ie Jordan, Bryant, now maybe Wade). Cuban helps expose this huge flaw with the league. Until now cowards would hide and say "well home teams and special players will always get the calls" eventhough we all know that is B.S. Cuban should be praised for his efforts to help fix the league.
Posted: 8:14 PM   by Anonymous
dude he is a owner not a coach, get off the court and let your cach do his job... its cool that he is proud of his team and supports it. but bottom line a COACH needs the respect of his players in other to WIN GAMES, dont make him look like he cant do his job..
Posted: 8:19 PM   by Anonymous
I'm getting pretty tired of listening to Mr Cuban whine. What Dallas needs to do is find a way to stop Dwayne Wade, it has nothing to do with the officials. Every game there are blown and/or missed calls. The speed of the modern day NBA player makes it impossible to get it right 100% Part of the game of Basketball is adjusting to how the game is called.
Posted: 8:20 PM   by DTC
Owners have as much if not more right to criticize officials than anyone else in the league. They are the primary shareholders and take more of the hit (financially definitely, emotionally probably) as anyone else when a blown call wrecks a game. If you were to invest so much into something, wouldnt you want a say? But King Stern and his jackass jester Jackson run a fascist dictatorship where any criticism is immediately put down and punished.

BTW- If you'd actually bothered to read Cuban's blog entry "The League is Rigged" you would have found him vehemently denying that the league works to deliberately affect the outcome of a game.

So yes, I think Cuban is great for the league, trying to expose bad officiating and inconsistency, speed the game up and make it more fun for the fans.
Posted: 8:36 PM   by Anonymous
Cuban is a spoiled little billionaire. Period. He has absolutely no class and could care less about fines. There is one pretty common theme in most billionaires - they treat most people like dirt, they think they can have anything they want, and they cry and whine when things get tough. Too bad our soldiers can't just jump up and down and cry and whine about how unfair IEDs are and that they don't want to fight anymore. So, to all of you who think Cuban is some kind of hero, from all of us that understand what it is like to live in reality- SHUT UP AND PLAY BASKETBALL!
Posted: 8:37 PM   by John Zarubnicky
I don't know if he helps or hurts his own team...but he's right. The NBA refs are atrocious and have been for a very long time. They never call three-second violations (unless you're a lowly rookie coming off the bench), walks, or palming. The "continuation" rule has reached ridiculous levels. The league's star players get a whole different level of treatment. And, most of the home court advantage is due to weak referees who are intimidated by home crowds. For quite some time, I have felt that the poor quality of officiating has severely damaged the integrity of the game. However, the casual basketball fan and kids don't know the difference. But, Mark Cuban does.
Posted: 8:45 PM   by Anonymous
The only time bad officiating bothers me is when it happens to the detriment of my team.

I SO wanted the Jazz to beat the Bulls in the Michael era, and for Stockton and Malone to get their rings. All I can remember is two things: Jordan getting away with that push-off on Bryon Russell to shoot that jumper from the free-throw line, and Dennis Rodman getting away with knocking Malone to the floor when Jordan stripped the ball away.

Does that seem like a rip-off? You bet. I still hurt over that one. Imagine how the players feel!

The reality is, there's nothing you can do about it after the call is made, (or missed). Is that something that the league should look at to make itself better? Absolutely. If the league chooses not to though, then that's a problem.

However, cut the zebras some slack! The game is fast moving, and with all those big bodies around, the refs will never always have perfect sight line from which to make a call.

The only time bad officiating bothers Mark Cuban is when it happens to the detriment of his team. Wouldn't it be interesting if, in his pursuit of better officiating that benefits ALL, that Cuban would point out missed calls that benefitted the Heat, as well as the Mavs? Until that day comes (read: never) all his childish whining is about one thing: getting his way.
Posted: 9:05 PM   by Anonymous
I didn't know that one of the duties of an assistant coach was to provide video to the team owner so he (the owner) can make a fool of himself to try to get things to go his way.

The only thing that coach should be doing is helping to figure out a way to beat the other team. The focus should be on THE OTHER TEAM guys, not the refs. If Avery Johnson does not approve of this behaviour but can't stop it because it's for the guy who signs the cheques, then I feel sorry for him. If he encourages this, then he's wasting precious energy on something that's beyond his control, and he's not focused on what he should be doing - finding a way to beat the other team!
Posted: 9:10 PM   by toolman
I think the game is rigged to ensure that game 7 will be played. It is so obvious with the way the refs are officiating game 5. They made sure that Heat wins so they can make "money" for the next two games. If this is the case, watch tonight's game. Mavs will win. It's guaranteed by the NBA.
Posted: 10:22 PM   by Anonymous
I thought i could watch Basketball again. I have not watched the game since the ref's threw the game for the Lakers against The Kings.
I was watching the game last night and tonight for a bit, not anymore.
The ref's are bad.
Posted: 10:40 PM   by Anonymous
I find it pretty humorous that Mav fans are falling over themselves complaining about DWade shooting so many free throws in one game, when there was not a question to be heard early in the series when their man Dirk set a record for free throws in a playoff season. I am sure that was outstaning officiating that took place for the previous month or two. The officiating just became terrible in the last week. Funny stuff.
Posted: 11:07 PM   by Anonymous
The NBA is so obvious in their attempts to make Dwayne Wade the next Michael Jordan. If you so much as look at Wade, you get a foul called. Heaven forbid the "star" should have someone get near him. Give any NBA player that kind of berth and see if they don't score as high as Wade. The league is a joke.
Posted: 11:14 PM   by Anonymous
I think Cuban helps the NBA. I think he and Avery Johnson are helping by pointing out that certain "star players" get preferential treatment. You get within a hair's breath of Wade, you get a foul called. If the NBA doesn't stop fixing games, they will lose their fanbase.
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