Can someone please explain why Toronto doesn’t advance the ball and call a timeout on their last possession? They had around 15 seconds on the clock so it would take, what, 3 seconds to get over half-court? Why not bang a TO and draw up a play?

Howie Kendrick: still in the game

I booed and then cheered.

That’s what will make the Raptors team so special for Toronto. Not that they won’t be a good team next year, but Toronto has to put in the work every night. I compare them to the 2011 Mavericks. You have an absolute stud (Kawhi/Dirk) surrounded by great role players (Lowry/Ibaka/Green/Chandler/Marion/Kidd) who work…

For me, it all depends on what level you’re working.

Suspended for what? Bortuzzo is nothing short of a plug out there but let’s not act like he went all Bertuzzi on him. 

I officiate AA/AAA youth hockey and when you see a kid who just gets it, it’s truly amazing to watch. I’ve been lucky to see a few kids grow into NHLrs from my area and it’s not surprising at all.

I wouldn’t argue Tuuka by any means but Tory Krug has been so god damn good this playoff.

I mean, my team has only been in the NHL playoffs 3 of the last 10 years so I’m watching from a pretty level perspective. I don’t think the quantity of bad calls or non-calls is a problem. It’s the quality.

To your first point, no it does not but you will see it called that way the majority of the time. But here’s an embellishment-only call a few years ago and make sure your sound is on:

Agreed regarding gamesmanship. I put embellishment and gamesmanship in the bend-but-not-break category and I really don’t mind those. But when players commit cut and dry penalties and they don’t get called (this trip, Meier handpass) or the rules are enforced incorrectly (Eakin hit), that’s not an accident, that’s…

I’m on board with a lot of this. Where I differ is that the officials’ job, in any sport, is to monitor the game and keep it fair and within the rules.

Everything looks more conspicuous in slo-mo. 

Oh I’m with you, completely. I mean, youth AAA hockey isn’t the NHL and is infinitely easier to manage, but you’d think if I can do it at my level, the “best refs in the world” should be able at theirs.

I don’t even believe it’s a case of more things going called/uncalled. It’s an open secret that once the playoff start, there’s a new standard. Players, coaches, fans and broadcasters know it.

Even if it was embellishment, the referee should take both guys and kill play. I officiate at a relatively high youth level (look at me), and personally, I’ll make a close/controversial call rather than let it go. Making calls sets the tone and standard for the game. In cases where everything is going uncalled, as an…

I’m the conductor of the “Jennifer Lawrence is wildly overrated” train. Feel free to hop on!

HE NEEDS TO GET RID OF THOSE SIDEBURNS!

This is a good find.

Well where were you?*