Lakers lead Spurs 3-1 in Western Conference Finals; NBA admits referees screwed up "no-foul" call

I have to wonder how Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson (or Phillip, as former one-time Laker Isaiah Rider once called him) is handling this. Jackson whines about NBA officiating the way the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield whined about getting no respect or, for a better example, the way billionaire Warren Buffett might whine about having to pay a 50-cent overdue fee on a library book. You remember: if a defender got within the same area code of Michael Jordan, he was called for a foul. If Jordan fouled while on defense, at worst an offensive charge would be called. When the referees did call fouls on Jordan, Jackson would gripe. He also griped when the referees actually called fouls on former Laker Shaquille O'Neal and current Laker Kobe Bryant.

Enter Wednesday night, Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

The defending NBA champions were trailing 93-91 with 2.1 seconds left. A win would tie the series at 2 games apiece. A loss would put the Lakers up to a seemingly-insurmountable 3-1 lead with 2 of the 3 games left to be played on the Lakers' home court. Spurs Brent Barry gets the ball. Barry tries to shoot what would've been a game-winning three-pointer, but contact is made between him and Lakers guard Derek Fisher (who, coincidentally, made an incredible game-winning shot against San Antonio a few years ago with .4 seconds left on the clock). Barry misses badly, and the Lakers hold on to a 93-91 win as the Spurs fans loudly protested the lack of a foul call.

Sour grapes, Laker fans would argue. Others would agree, pointing out that Spurs sixth man Manu Ginobili allegedly flops so much to draw fouls that he ought to win an Academy Award.

Now, it turns out there may be some legitimacy in the Spurs' complaints.

NBA officials announced today that a foul should indeed have been called on Fisher. This would've given Barry, an excellent free-throw shooter with a .821 lifetime percentage, up to three foul shots.

Amazingly, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich insisted he would've not called a foul. I guess he has far more class than Jackson.

But then this story gets really bizarre.

Who was the NBA official who should've called the foul but didn't?

Joey Crawford.

Yes, that same Crawford that ejected Duncan from a game last season for what he thought was laughter directed toward him (Crawford). Crawford, who was suspended indefinitely by NBA commissioner David Stern, actually challenged Duncan to a fight.

My question: why is an NBA referee with personal issues against Duncan allowed to officiate in a game of this magnitude?

This really makes me even more suspect Stern is a jellyfish when it comes to policing referees. He should be telling them this: you are a professional. If you can't put your personal feelings aside, then find another job.

I was foolish to think that the Lakers would win this series with successful shooting and defense. Now, it appears they're getting some help. Sheesh.