*steps on soapbox*
A couple of words about Doris Burke's call of at the end of the Rutgers/Stanford game. Well, actually, four.
She was SO wrong.
In case you missed it, with .1 left Prince fouls Wiggins and the whistle blows. Said Burke, "I don't think you make that call then."
Excuse me?!?!?!
There's a lot to admire about Burke's work, but not this. It simply adds to fuel to the already irrational fire that surrounds (all) officiating. I'll be the first one to acknowledge that there are a lot of issues within officiating in women's basketball. BUT: A foul at the beginning of the game is a foul at the end of the game.
You can argue whether it was a CORRECT call (foul or not a foul) but you can't honestly expect an official to hold their whistle based on the amount of time left on the clock. Sheesh, they're accused of cheating and favoritism ...now you want this "flexibilty" to the game?
"But," you'll say, "I hate it when officials decide the game."
Poppycock.
Prince decided the game by not stepping away from Wiggins. Granted, she's a sophomore, and it was a painful lesson (though pros make that mistake, too), but it was Prince who decided the game by committing the foul.
The officials did their job and blew the whistle.
And, by the way, if we're going to be truly accurate, it was Wiggins who decided the game. She was the one who sunk the fouls shots seal the victory. If Harding (and Vinatieri) have taught us anything it's that NOTHING is guaranteed
So, unless someone is going to create a policy that says, "All fouls are to be called EXCEPT in the last five seconds of the game..." or "In the last five seconds of the game, the offensive player gets the benefit of the doubt..." (which, of course, would make referees penalize defensive players for doing what they were taught -- for instance, slide into position to take a charge -- remember Wiggins in the NCAA tourney 2 years ago?) announcers need to stop with the "You don't make that call" stuff.
I'm sure it adds lots of drama and hype to the broadcast (just like the mics on the coaches do) but I don't know that it helps the game.
Seems to me a broadcaster's time is better spent knowing the rules (ahem, when was the last time they cracked the rule book? There have been some changes since they played), talking with officials, coaches and players about how those rules are interpreted and then helping the audience understand the "results" they see on the court.
Okay. Done now.
*steps off soapbox*
A couple of words about Doris Burke's call of at the end of the Rutgers/Stanford game. Well, actually, four.
She was SO wrong.
In case you missed it, with .1 left Prince fouls Wiggins and the whistle blows. Said Burke, "I don't think you make that call then."
Excuse me?!?!?!
There's a lot to admire about Burke's work, but not this. It simply adds to fuel to the already irrational fire that surrounds (all) officiating. I'll be the first one to acknowledge that there are a lot of issues within officiating in women's basketball. BUT: A foul at the beginning of the game is a foul at the end of the game.
You can argue whether it was a CORRECT call (foul or not a foul) but you can't honestly expect an official to hold their whistle based on the amount of time left on the clock. Sheesh, they're accused of cheating and favoritism ...now you want this "flexibilty" to the game?
"But," you'll say, "I hate it when officials decide the game."
Poppycock.
Prince decided the game by not stepping away from Wiggins. Granted, she's a sophomore, and it was a painful lesson (though pros make that mistake, too), but it was Prince who decided the game by committing the foul.
The officials did their job and blew the whistle.
And, by the way, if we're going to be truly accurate, it was Wiggins who decided the game. She was the one who sunk the fouls shots seal the victory. If Harding (and Vinatieri) have taught us anything it's that NOTHING is guaranteed
So, unless someone is going to create a policy that says, "All fouls are to be called EXCEPT in the last five seconds of the game..." or "In the last five seconds of the game, the offensive player gets the benefit of the doubt..." (which, of course, would make referees penalize defensive players for doing what they were taught -- for instance, slide into position to take a charge -- remember Wiggins in the NCAA tourney 2 years ago?) announcers need to stop with the "You don't make that call" stuff.
I'm sure it adds lots of drama and hype to the broadcast (just like the mics on the coaches do) but I don't know that it helps the game.
Seems to me a broadcaster's time is better spent knowing the rules (ahem, when was the last time they cracked the rule book? There have been some changes since they played), talking with officials, coaches and players about how those rules are interpreted and then helping the audience understand the "results" they see on the court.
Okay. Done now.
*steps off soapbox*
posted by Helen at 10:58 AM
