The 2.1 seconds at the end of Game Four of the Spurs / Lakers series has been guaranteed to live on. The NBA league office has added to the controversy by declaring a non call at the end of Game Four as a foul:

“The league office on Wednesday reviewed the final play of the San Antonio Spurs’ 93-91 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals and acknowledged that a two-shot foul should have been called on Derek Fisher for impeding Brent Barry.”

link: League acknowledges Spurs’ Barry was fouled

It is surprising that the league offices should involve themselves in this referees’ decision. The non call was not challenged by the San Antonio Spurs. The league’s involvement undermines the instant judgment call of the referees who were on the court. The opinion of the league office does not change the results. The narrow win by the L.A. Lakers stands. It seems that the NBA would have been better served if the league office had recused itself from making any statement whatsoever and allow the referees’ call to stand on its own. With its statement of opinion, the NBA office has fueled discussion of that long 2.1 seconds for years to come.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
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