Baron Davis amputates Mickael Gelabale – refs nonplussed

Constable Echelon

The Supes built up a 13 point lead, but were ultimately outclassed last night in the Okie Doke.

I’m fine with that. Not even the biggest homer could have expected a W there (or anywhere for that matter). What I’m not ok with is the NBA’s superstar officiating during decisive moments of the game. Per the Times headline, G State turned this one around in the third quarter. What they, or supersonicsoul.com as far as I can tell, neglect to mention is the role that enabling NBA officials played in the Warriors’ comeback.

Here’s the scene: 3rd quarter and the Supes are hanging tough in what has become a seesaw game. The Sonics are still consistently up to this point, which makes Golden State the fat kid I suppose, but it’s still a seesaw. The Warriors miss a shot early in the clock (always the potential undoing of run and gun teams on off nights), and Baron Davis is frustrated.

As Gelabale dribbles across midcourt Davis takes a swipe at him from behind and separates the ball from the man. Fine play in regular speed with a bad camera angle, but the replays showed a shocking neglect on the part of the officials. Baron Davis literally karate chopped Gelabale on his elbow, a foot up his arm away from the ball, in the middle of the floor where ref visibility ought to be high.

No call.

It was unbelievable and led to some nice exchanges from the greatest broadcast team of all time: Kevin Calabro and Marques Johnson.

MJ: “That’s a reputation no call right there.”

Upon review -

KC: “Baron Davis gets away with a lot of contact.”
MJ: “Baron Davis gets away with a lot of fouls.”

Later –

KC: “Baron Davis has seven steals tonight.”
MJ: “Maybe two of those are legit.”

I’m not making these up. This is what was said on the broadcast. And yes I know I’m talking about one play in a 48 minute basketball game. But imagine how deflating this must have been for the Sonics. You’re undermanned and playing your hearts out against a superior team on the road, and the officials refuse to give you even the most overt of calls. Why even try?

I mined the sonicscentral game thread for a mention of this, and found one from commenter Mt. Baker:

“I’ll pay the sandman with nightmares of Baron Davis beating me on the arms while an arena of refs watch, but don’t cal a foul.
Nooooooooooooooo”

To make it clear, I have no problem with the refs conceding questionable calls to the more established players. Let’s just try to call the obvious stuff, okay?