http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/04/03/a16c_heatnotes_0403.html


Shaq calls out NBA's Jackson, referees

By Chris Perkins
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Monday, April 03, 2006

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Shaquille O'Neal returned from his two-game absence because of a swollen left knee, and he's mad at Stu Jackson, the NBA's vice president.

O'Neal, who picked up five fouls to go along with 18 points, nine rebounds and six turnovers in a 90-78 Sunday loss at New Jersey, thinks the league has a bias against him.

"That's the first time in history somebody has four offensive fouls before he has a defensive foul," said O'Neal, clearly exaggerating. "They just need to be consistent in how they call the game. And it all starts at the top, when you got a guy like Stu Jackson running stuff, it's obvious why the referees are the way they are."

Three times this season Jackson, who doles out penalties for the league, has upgraded regular fouls on O'Neal to flagrant fouls. The next flagrant foul O'Neal earns during the regular season will come with a one-game suspension, and apparently O'Neal is holding a grudge.

Asked if the referees have an agenda, O'Neal replied, "It looks like it to me."

O'Neal said his left knee felt pretty good.

"I was just trying to get loose and trying to play strong," he said. "It was like all they did was flop over there and the referees fell for it. We still had some chances to win the game. We've just got to go back home and regroup."

O'Neal said New Jersey, which has won 12 consecutive games, could be a playoff threat to the Heat "if they keep getting help like that, then yeah. Ridiculous game. That was the most ridiculous game I've ever been a part of. When you've got a guy like Stu Jackson at the top, it shows why those referees are the way they are. It starts at the top."

And just for good measure, O'Neal, who often doesn't speak with reporters when he's upset with referees, finished with this gem about opponents flopping: "They just fell for it. Now they make these rules up and they do not follow them because I'm bigger and stronger. We all know it's a double standard."

For the record, coach Pat Riley supported O'Neal, even though he said he's tired of discussing the issue.

"It's an absolute contradiction," Riley said. "We're caught between a rock and a hard place with it, because if you (complain) too much about it, they lay a big 'ol fine on your (butt). So we're trying to have a little class with it."

You guys have to admit that he has been treated unfairly his whole career.

Guy can't catch a break.

There is a rule against elbowing your opponet above the neck

And Shaq breaks this rule more than anyone the leauge has ever seen.
But I am so pissed at the refs right now I'll give Shaq a Hells Yeah

HELLS YEAH SHAQ.

The problem is that almost every post play with Shaq could be a foul either way. If the guy simply holds his ground and flops to contact, they could call an offensive foul every time. But Shaq also gets hacked a ton because he's a superstar and typpically they don't give the defender the benifit of the whistle on Shaq. So players try to stay in front of him and grab his arms as a last resort because they know flopping won't help.

The problem is that almost every post play with Shaq could be a foul either way. If the guy simply holds his ground and flops to contact, they could call an offensive foul every time. But Shaq also gets hacked a ton because he's a superstar and typpically they don't give the defender the benifit of the whistle on Shaq. So players try to stay in front of him and grab his arms as a last resort because they know flopping won't help.
yea any fouls that happen to shaq are a result of players responding to all the traveling, Offensive fouls, and various other bruises the refs dont call on Shaq.

I love this story.

It pulls the "high moral ground" card right from Heatfan's arsenal. No longer can they maintain that we're the only ones bitching about the officiating.

I love this story.

It pulls the "high moral ground" card right from Heatfan's arsenal. No longer can they maintain that we're the only ones bitching about the officiating.
what irks me is that they never had this card in the first place. the label dropped on us is bs.

We do complain a lot, but everyone does these days.

These officials need to be reeled back in by the NBA, their egos have gone wild.

Whatever happened to "if nobody notices that you are there, then you've done a good job"?

Oh yeah, Ken Mauer is your daddy.

http://www.poy.org/61/npoy/photos/patricktwo08.jpg

NBA officals blow. Plain and simple. Some of the NBA refs make the superbowl crew look smart.

The guy's a freak of nature. Can't help looking at his fat ass for half the game.

But the refs do suck.