Crawford made it clear to NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson on Tuesday that he would eject Duncan again if the circumstances were the same.
Crawford likewise informed superiors (including NBA commissioner David Stern) and fellow referees via e-mail Tuesday that "if my employer does not think that was acceptable, I have a problem" reffing in the future. Crawford has maintained from the start that Duncan deserved two technicals for what he deemed to be disrespecting the game by "laughing [at] and mocking the officials."
Crawford also blasted fellow referee Dick Bavetta in the e-mail obtained by ESPN.com, hinting at divisions among referees between those who do and don't support Bavetta and writing that maybe Bavetta will wind up as the crew chief in Game 7 of the NBA "which is a travesty in itself you even being in the finals."
Stern, in an appearance on Tuesday's "Pardon The Interruption" on ESPN, acknowledged Crawford's discontent, telling co-hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: "In fairness, I would say that [Crawford] doesn't think he did anything wrong and probably doesn't wish to work in the NBA any more."
probably the bigger problem was refusing to admit a mistake. If he had just said "I let my emotions get the best of me and I regret that, I will try my best to not let that happen in the future." he'd be reffing tonight.
usually true, but there are two refs I trust to be fair and calm, and those are Danny Crawford and Bernie Fryer. I remember one incident very well that I still have on tape from the 03 WCF where Fryer was incredible in how he kept control of the game (with Raja Bell trying to smash Parker's face) but still responded to players' questions and complaints calmly and without sarcasm or aggressiveness, and offered suggestions and re-assurances about rules.
Danny Crawford is much the same.
The problem with Joey Crawford is that you couldn't talk to him. He took anyone talking to him, even asking him a question as some sort of personal insult to the integrity of 'the game', and to him 'the game' meant 'the refs'.
Fryer or Danny Crawford, if the laughing bothered them, would have talked to Duncan during the dead ball. And it would have ended there.
"it wasn't the ejection that was the problem, it was asking tim duncan "do ya wanna fight", this isn't a harlem streetball game."
wrong, the problem IS the Ts and ejection. I could give a fuck if Crawford asked him if he wanted to fight, it has no impact on the game. Crawford letting things get too personal and giving the Ts ruining the integrity of the game.
I would rather a ref yell back at aplayer to STFU than give out Ts and ejections
"probably the bigger problem was refusing to admit a mistake. If he had just said "I let my emotions get the best of me and I regret that, I will try my best to not let that happen in the future." he'd be reffing tonight."
no he wouldn't, as Stern said, it was a histroy and pattern that got him such a suspension. I would like him to admit he was wrong but he has been such a cock sucker so many times in the past if he were to admit he was wrong, they would look at every single thing he has ever done and that probably isn't a good thing