Quote Originally Posted by Achilles1629:
BB, who will be in trouble if Scott foster is reffing tonite? The dubs or the Cavs? From your perspective, can you explain? From what you said, it sounds like the dubs would be in trouble? Is it lebrons record with him reffing? I heard he may be on the game tonite. I still don't see it confirmed though. Thanks.
Here is what I understand of the situation with Foster. The Warriors don't like seeing this guy because:
1) They don't have a good track record with him (which right away puts them on edge).
2) He doesn't communicate well or much with the players. He doesn't like to be talked to and doesn't like explaining himself (which also put the players edge).
3) He makes a lot of bad calls, which gets guys into foul trouble for something seemingly innocuous, on top of the fact that he won't explain himself (which also puts the players on edge).
4) The rumors about and around Foster (his relationship with Donaghy), all this not only makes gamblers nervous but players as well (don't think they don't know/read this stuff).
Now, more specifically, twice in the playoffs his officiating has caused Warrior players to lose control. First it was Livingston (a guy with an impeccable reputation who had never been tossed from a game) in game four at Portland. Why was Livingston livid, because Foster was allowing Blazer players to get physical with Livingston and the Warriors (even hitting him on the head) but wouldn't let the Warriors play the same way against the Blazers (for whatever reason ).
Then, in game 3 at OKC, he did the same thing. He allowed OKC to manhandle the Warriors, while the Warriors were not getting calls. This caused Green to take matters into his own hands, which is what players do who are frustrated. If you go back and watch the telecast, you will hear the announcers talking about Kerr wanting/begging for a technical because his players were getting jobbed, but Foster refused to give it to him.
Now you might think that's good officiating, but it's not when the coach wants the technical. Why? Because he is trying to show the players that he has their back, and a technical will not only let off steam (for him and his team), and get his point across to all the refs (i.e., that he is extremely unhappy with how the game is being called), but might also galvanize his team (unless its the Clippers, as Doc has completely messed up this time honored strategy). Popovich (and other great coaches) do this from time to time. They do this so that their players can focus on the game, in essence telling them, "I'll handle the officials, you guys worry about playing basketball." They are also trying to protect their players (from picking up fouls due to bad calls), and also from having to take matters into their own hands; either by jawing with the officials (as Livingston did) or getting extremely physical with the opponent (as Green did with Adams). So by Foster not giving Kerr the tech he was begging for in game 3 in OKC, he actually exacerbated the Warriors frustrations on the floor which ended up in the kick seen around the world. This is once again another example of how unpredictable Foster is (most officials will give a coach who is asking for a tech a tech, but he didn't)
Hope that explains it. Let me be clear, I am in no way, shape or form saying the Warriors will lose this game because Foster is on the floor, but he is certainly a wild card.