[mountaineer]

when Michael Jordan drained his many "buzzer beaters" to win playoff games, in leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships, I don't recall him getting Laker-style help from the referees

Actually, he did, to the extent that he almost never was called for blatant offensive fouls, while lesser lights were whistled if they dared to look at His Airness.

I agree with the writer, however, regarding this year's playoffs. For reasons unknown, the league made noted wife-beater Jason Kidd its darling, so the Nets had to beat the Celtics (luckily for Stern, the Celtics cooperated by playing like crap), and the thugs from L.A. were given carte blanche to beat up on the Kings without consequence. Granted, the Kings' inability to hit a free throw didn't help their cause - who can say whether that ineptness was intentional?

[Rev DMV]

Actually, he did, to the extent that he almost never was called for blatant offensive fouls, while lesser lights were whistled if they dared to look at His Airness

Good point and missing from the article.

Again it's home town officiating. The Kings had it in Game 5, the Lakers in Game 6. The Kings had their chance in Game 7 and tossed up the bricks. Also as someone else pointed out this isn't new.

[fury86]

Isn't Rod Thorn the Nets' GM, and wasn't he the NBA's Director of Officials before? I can see where people could get suspicious -