Sports Talk with MC

by MC

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan is in the headlines again. It isn’t because of statistical brilliance or championship tickertape parades, though.

Tim Duncan, believe it or not, is currently embroiled in a tiff with NBA referee Joey Crawford.

In yesterday’s Spurs/Mavericks game, Duncan complained about an offensive foul, sat back down on the bench a few real time minutes later, then let out a chuckle or two.

That’s when Crawford went over to the sidelines and purportedly asked Timmy if he “wanted to fight”. The former league MVP was then ejected from the playing court. Dallas won the ballgame, 91-86.

I know that Commissioner David Stern issued a mandate at the start of this season for stricter officiating, but when does a call for tight officiating become the most convenient bridge towards carrying out personal vendettas? Against a recognized “model citizen” like Duncan, no less?

If you asked me, Mr. Stern should suspend Joey Crawford as soon as possible, lest compromise the credibility of NBA officiating as a whole when honest “watching” matters most- the postseason.

I’m not about to side with Tim Duncan in this matter per se, but you have got to be joking me. The sport of basketball has no room for referees who allow base emotions to seep into the proper progression of their chosen craft.

NBA higher-ups- act now, please.

=)