Joey Crawford regrets 2007 incident with Duncan
There are many individuals San Antonio Spurs fans love to hate. The list includes Mavs' Jason Terry and owner Mark Cuban, ex-NBA coach Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and many others but also included in that list is NBA referee Joey Crawford.
Crawford joined that list in 2007 in a game against the Dallas Mavericks for ejecting Tim Duncan for simply laughing while on the bench and by challenging TD to a fist-fight.
Crawford would eventually be suspended for his actions and the Spurs and Duncan would go on to win their fourth NBA title.
Fast forward to today and Crawford still draws the ire of Spurs fans but as he looks back at that incident, Joey considers that among his chief regrets in his long career as an NBA ref.
The Duncan thing probably changed my life. It was just — you come to the realization that maybe the way you’ve been doing things is not the proper way and you have to regroup, not only on the court but off the court.
I had seen a sports psychologist before that. But after, I saw him a lot more.
Since then I am sure he and TD have buried the hatchet and there had been no other incidents but Spurs fans still make it a point to let Joey know exactly how they feel about him whenever he is reffing a Spurs game.
Crawford also admits he has anger management issues but sees a psychologist to keep it under control.
So what say you Spurs fans? After reading Crawford's regret over this incident, is all forgiven or do you still love to hate Crawford?
His "regret" means nothing, he still is placed in key games and makes calls that are bogus!!! Just last night his calls against Boston were ridiculous. He is definitely David Stern's yes man. This mea culpa is a front!!!
This comment has been deleted
he was the ref in the 08 series against the Lakers? Particularly that game that Fischer fouled Barry! I have the feeling that Crawford was the ref in the game, if so let the conspiracy theory of them trying to boost the ratings by setting up a Celtics-Lakers final....
@Spursforever69 After the way the Spurs blew game 1 at LA, we were not going nor did we deserve to win that series
It's not only amazing that this guy is still allowed to be a ref, but it's also even more amazing that he gets to ref almost every single Spurs playoff game. I think he reffed three of the six games last year against the Griz.
@JeffProjectSpurs Slightly. That doesn't mean I don't think he should ref another game in the NBA though.
He needs to go... way before 2007. He and all the other refs from the early David Stern "reign of terror" know where the bodies are and are holding that over Stern's head. He should never have been allowed back into the league after pulling that stunt. FTP
So he has anger management issues, needs to see a sports psychologist, and admitted to making TWO egregious calls against quiet Duncan, yet, he is one of the most respected refs IN THE LEAGUE? How is this possible? After countless incidences like this, Crawford continues to ref important games in the playoffs and Finals. Why David Stern? It just plays into the notion that the NBA is rigged having such an admittedly biased referee still overseeing big games.
@CraigThomas Amen well said I have thought for a long time the playoffs were rigged tto makr nba and tv the most money
