Happy Bday to the greatest ever play the game inside and outside you inspired me to go on in life eventhough you're not here anymore. Always appreciate greatness kobe bean bryant 💜💛 @kobebryant
The NBA’s officiating accountability process is broken.
James Williams has now been at the center of controversy in two different playoff series in the span of days.
Devin Booker called him out by name after Suns vs Thunder.
The NBA later rescinded Booker’s technical, but still fined him $35K for criticizing officials.
Then in Lakers vs Rockets, Williams was involved in multiple controversial ejections, including Deandre Ayton getting tossed on a flagrant 2 and Adou Thiero getting ejected late.
LeBron called it ridiculous.
JJ Redick said he didn’t get a real explanation.
Marcus Smart called Ayton’s ejection “some BS.”
Even Rockets players and Ime Udoka reportedly thought the calls were soft.
And what does the NBA do?
Players get fined publicly.
Officials get reviewed privately.
Adam Silver has literally said referees are held accountable, but the league does not publicize discipline for officials.
That’s the problem.
Fans see the fines.
Fans see the rescinded techs.
Fans see the Last Two Minute reports admitting missed calls.
But nobody ever sees what actually happens to the officials.
If players and coaches can be publicly punished for speaking out, officials should face more public accountability when they have rough games too.
Accountability has to go both ways.
#lakeshow
you Bron stans are so insufferable
Can’t wait until yall get smoked by a real team next round
I realized part of why I dislike Bron is due to you glazers. Everyday yall on your knees for him. It’s the first round, get it together you losers
I am 100% behind Devin Booker here. Last night was not a good look for our league. Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of officiating, but that doesn’t make last night any less important. If the referees are going to demand respect from the players - as they should - then the players should demand respect from the referees. When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable. Nobody who loves this game enjoyed watching that last night. They want to see the players compete at the highest level. The league needs be far more aggressive about this kind of thing. All players and all fans deserve it.