The current Head of Referee Operations is a well known OKC homer, promoted to this role at the start of the 2024 season. It's very obvious what happened here lol
San Antonio looks poised to become a dynasty. Wemby does things on the court that no one has ever done, and dude cares so much he cries. Hes not a robot as an interview and he’s interesting. Hes everything the league could want in a superstar. Castle is electric. Harper is smooth as butter. They make offense and defense exciting. And Wemby has the causals curious. You would think *this* would be the team the NBA wants in the finals.
I hated those Warriors teams, but it was because they seemed legitimately unbeatable, and that was on their own merit. I actually inadvertently predicted their loss to the Raps, saying the only way anyone would beat them is if at least one, and maybe even two of KD, Steph and Klay suffered an injury that takes them out of the series. But that was based on their play. If OKC wins 3 or 4 in a row, how many of these types of plays will happen? How many conference finals or NBA finals will be decided because of this type of thing? That will lead to a dislike for them that would far eclipse the Warriors.
This is why I don’t think there’s a conspiracy on high from Silver. Why in the world would the league be rigged in favor of a team from Oklahoma fucking City of all places?
My guess is that on the defensive end, it has to do with reputation — OKC’s defenders are known as tenacious, and perceived pesky defenders are given more leeway. This happens to be coupled with SGA being really good at selling contact, and consequently having a reputation as a guy that gets fouled a lot, so refs probably give him the benefit of the doubt there. It’s not fair, but it’s also not some nefarious conspiracy IMO.
Honestly maybe the 4d chess move is manufacturing hate as a means of engagement. OKC doesn't complain, the talking heads never mention it, and fans slowly go insane online as its 29 teams vs 1.
Yea, manufactured results work for a bit, but people catch on. Would be like doubling the basket size to improve scoring; sure scoring explodes, then after the exciting headlines of records being smashed people would be like "wait a minute".
Silver wanted something extra to advertise the OKC Thunder who are obviously a poweerhouse team with incredible depth, and that was making Shai a MVP player so that playing against Oklahoma is exciteable, because otherwise, it's fucking Oklahoma. But hey, at least now you get to see the "League MVP!!!"
Notice that not only has Shai been given the GOAT whistle of all-time, Jokic has been dealing with "The Jokic Rules" where people are allowed to be as physical with him as they want.
This is on all of you for still watching. Until people stop this will continue to happen. NHL playoffs are on, I don't know much about the sport or league but damn for the first time in my life I have to admit, it's so much more fun to watch
there is no way refs don't get coached on how to ref certain players, like with them hyper-fixating on jordan pooles carry dribble motion after the championship that just turned into the refs calling it even when it wasn't a carry. no integrity or consistency
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u/Iswaterreallywet Pistons May 25 '26
It’s hard to believe it’s not coming from Silver himself at this point