Is it me, or are referees making more and more bad calls that affect both the tempo and outcome of the game? During the NBA Playoffs we have seen a number of blown calls and technical fouls overturned by the league office after the fact. During virtually every game even television viewers can hear fans in the stands voice their displeasure over blown calls.
But when it comes to fans, Americans are tame compared to their European contemporaries like this guy who climbed on top of the backboard to cheer on his team. But apparently, American officials aren’t nearly as incompetent and fans as demonstrative as the zebra crews and fan-bases in Europe, as evidence of this wild and wacky video taken during the Greek League Finals.
During Game 3 of the championship series between 7 years running champion Panathinaikos and Olympiacos the refereeing crew was so horrendous that the fans in attendance started to have serious issues over numerous blown calls. But instead of just voicing their concerns, the fanatical fans decided to throw some M-80 firecrackers inside the arena aimed at the officials. But apparently their aim was bad since the explosives landed directly under one of the teams benches, which forced security to get decked out in full riot gear to attempt to regain some law and order at the event. After nearly an hour break the game resumed until a few more incendiary devices were again launched towards officials. Eventually the game had to be called for safety, with Panathinaikos taking home their 8th straight Greek League Title.
Check out the video of what is being termed as the “Night of Shame” for Greek basketball. I’ll bet this night of infamy all but assures that former NBA players and current stars for Olympiacos, Josh Childress and Linas Kleiza, who are on the fence about returning to the NBA for next season, will most probably be making a return trip to the US. Childress last played for the Atlanta Hawks and Kleiza with the Denver Nuggets. With Joe Johnson’s possible free agent move, Childress could prove valuable in the backcourt next season.
It’s a long video, so watch as an explosive lands under the players’ bench at the 2:55 mark and a fireball gets launched across the arena at 4:10, which forced the game to be forfeited.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
