Beware of Paint
10 10 2007-Mike MonroeThe Spurs received their annual preseason briefing from league referees after their morning practice at the AT&T Center.
Steve Javie, one of the NBA’s top referees and the crew chief at Tuesday’s game, spoke to the players and coaches about plays and calls the officials have been instructed to emphasize this season, including an ongoing crackdown on traveling.
Another emphasis: More leeway for big men to defend smaller players who drive to the basket.
“They were talking about some stuff about the bigs not getting so many (foul) calls in the paint when we smalls drive into them,” said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, who has benefited from his share of foul calls when driving to the basket.







I don’t mind the focus on traveling because I beleive it is out of control in the NBA but Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been destorying opposing teams.
Is it possible that the NBA is trying to limit the Spurs gaurd success?
I don’t get it… so the NBA is admitting that they haven’t been calling the games right?
But they have the best refs in the game….
Let’s face it, the reason they haven’t been calling the traveling and been calling too many fouls on the bigs: Everyone wants to see dunks.
The way the games have been called have allowed players like Tony Parker to get into the lane and score on bigs at will. The NBA’s problem with that: He’s not DUNKING! He’s embarrassing bigs around the league, and the NBA has to do something about it.
“…the paint is where men are made. If you can’t play there, you should be home with your mama.” - Karl Malone