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Utah Jazz: Accept it! The Bulls deserved the series

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nike17 | 12:15 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

First of all Bulls fans, get over yourself, because the Jazz are 10 times closer making it back then the current Chicago Bulls now. Second, yes, Michael Jordon is probably the greatest player of all time, hands down, but he isn't the only great player in NBA history. Now, whether or not the refs gave the game to MJ is up to what we all beleive. Both sides have reasonable arguments. I think game 6 should have been a Utah victory. And who would have won in game 7 is up on the air because no one knows because it didn't happen. Arguing about it isn't going to change it either. I am glad that cetain refs are being caught and punished for it. But come on. It has been 10 years. There is no point dwelling on it because nothing is going to change. Both parties need to stop bringing it up and focus on the current utah jazz and their run hopefully to the finals!

Unknown | 12:31 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

This article was so pointless. i agree with all of you opposing what the article said. Games when players such as Kobe Bryant get to the free throw line as much as the jazz team put togther is only one example of the lopsidedness of the NBA. And it is so true that everyone knew who was going to make it to the finals this past year. It all comes down to MONEY! Fans wanted to see the star of the NBA going out on top, so yeah. if there was a game 7, Bulls would have won. It doesn't make it fair. Utah was the better team, but that doesn't matter, not to Stern. It all comes down to him and what he wants.

Eye Dee Ten Tee | 2:02 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

don't mention the shove please don't mention the shove.

You mentioned the shove.

Great.

My therapist will be thrilled. He was wondering how to pay for his new boat.

Comments continue below

Observer | 6:16 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Amy Donaldson and Chuck Gates should be let go from the D-news.

Gretzky | 7:36 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

my father was at that game and was an outstanding official of high school and some college ball games and he saw the thrown game antics by the NBA officials. now that the NBA has been caught throwing/tampering with games last season via its officials we KNOW that the NBA championship was STOLEN from the Jazz. it's all part of the scam that the NBA is. NBA bball is not worth watching. the olympics prove it as well. since when does Kobe Bryant EVER play team ball in the pros yet he actually looks like a team member and team ball player in the olympics. he knows the NBA is rigged and just plays along with the "game." the Jazz were indeed robbed and victimized.

Chirs | 7:58 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Being a Jazz fan, why wouldn't we still talk about the '98 Finals. Jazz fans will always be upset about the two missed shot clock calls. Most importantly, that was John and Karl's best chance at winning a championship, and that is why this game will always be talked about, debated, and discussed. There is no statute of limitations on how long fans can play "what-if."

I Still Want To Know... | 8:31 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

... why people are so bugged by this, even after 10 years. Come on, people. The Jazz have a team NOW. They're playing at least reasonably well NOW. Hopefully someday in the here and NOW they'll go to the Finals again. Why don't we support the Jazz NOW and move on?

We can see NOW, as ever, that NBA refs miss calls--even at important times. It happens, people. All the darn time! It's part of the game!

Also, as pointed out earlier--it's unfortunate that the game's outcome rode on that final play. But it shouldn't have come down to that. The Jazz should have played smarter earlier, which would have entirely changed the complexion of the game, especially the final moments. Few complain about the officiating on the game's final play when you're up by 10.

Let's move on. Dwelling in the past on this is pointless and just makes the Jazz fans who do it look dumb.

Ross | 8:47 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

The Jazz deserved the championship just as much as the Bulls did. That is the way competition for championships in sports is, it generates lots more loosers than winners. Both excellent teams, with a little help from whomever or whatever, one team wins and the other is added to the ash heap of loosers.

Anonymous | 9:11 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

the Jazz choked and lost

SECONDPLACEVILLE!!! | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

1998 was a year of broken dreams for SLC. Not only was the NBA Finals, game 6 rigged against our Jazz, but we also had to watch in horror to see the Utes also choke in the NCAA finals that same year. 1998 suxed!

Anonymous | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

I still don't think Stearn and the NBA really understand the Donaghy situation. There is not much proof that he ever gave a game away. What he did was tell his gambling croonies who was going to ref a game, and from that information, they could figure out who was likely going to win the game.
In other words, the bias of a ref toward a team or player was influencing the calls.
Bavetta, along with other refs, will never be ones accused of favoring Utah.

Herr | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

You people who wrote this are invited to leave town.

it's a show | 9:40 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

You completely debunked your entire article with the "its a show" line. Claiming it was a fairly called game, then going on to say "its a show and the superstars always get the benefit of the call." There should be no hierarchy in professional sports. If Kobe fouls Ronnie Brewer he should be called for it, not go to the line 20 times in one game just because he has a bigger endorsement. In its current state, NBA officiating is messed up and needs a total reform, and in your quest to defend it you completely proved yourself wrong.

Reader | 10:04 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Why is this this still being discussed ten years later? No amount of rehashing it will change the results.

Jordan Fan | 10:25 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Michael Jordan would never have lost to the Jazz. Get over yourselves!! He was the greatest.

Long since forgotten... | 11:02 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

but, thanks for the reminder, just in case.

Anybody who was an NBA fan during the Jordan era knew about the "Jordan rules."

Phantom calls on missed shots (ala Kobe today) and protecting superstars from ticky-tac fouls (Karl and John received similar treatment) were part of the game that was understood by everyone.

Bottom line, the Jazz didn't take care of business at home in the 1998 playoffs. They allowed the Bulls to stay close instead of making plays to create some space where one or two calls wouldn't change the outcome.

Besides, it's a game. Holding onto a 10-year-old loss is just sad. Get over it. The Jazz lost, fair and square.

Unless actual proof of an NBA conspiracy comes to light, Jazz fans just need to accept the loss, and move on.

rsb | 11:10 a.m. Aug. 18, 2008

I will never accept it. Michael Jordan pushed. He did it in the 126-123 3OT game also when he pushed the referee. He had a history of pushing. I bet he even pushed other things here and there. The controversy may die in the hearts of some, but I still cry once every June, when I think about what may have been.

Hawaii | 12:21 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

The best thing that could have happened for NBA came this past season with the convicted ref. When he made his claims of other refs being involved it changed the playoffs from there on. Did anyone notice how much cleaner and fairer the calls were while Stearn was denying the whole thing. The NBA is a scam and we as fans are the suckers.

Geeeee! | 12:22 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

This article is only one in a recent string of articles here in the DN that is highly questionable. Where is the competent reporting? What is the definition of journalism?
Shame on you Mr. Cannon and the DN for allowing such flagrant mediocrity. Alas, shame on the academic institutions that provide breading grounds for people to spew forth such flatulence and call it news. I pity the poor souls who wrote this article for dwelling in ignorance. Please examine your paradigms and correct them.

Very concerned citizen

Linus | 12:33 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Don't call me a whining Jazz fan. Truth is, I used to be an NBA basketball fan. Boston was my favorite team all-time. But I don't go to, or even watch NBA games anymore. The officiating is a farce. Games are a farce. The money being funneled to spoiled bullies is obscene. These are not heroes. Many of them are not even good citizens. And the worst of them are criminals. Nevertheless, they are role-models for our next generation. It all makes me sick.

You defenders of the NBA, and of that stupid game 6, deserve to be duped out of your time and money!

Champions win | 12:39 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Yes, the Jazz were robbed, and we should not forget it. But, simply put, champions win. Champions find a way to make up for circumstances beyond their control.

Jordan and Friends knew they had the officials on their side. The Jazz knew they were at a disadvantage. In those days, you had to plan for five or ten extra points to get around Jordan and the referees. The Jazz didn't do it.

By the way, I'm not blaming Jordan. It wasn't his job to call The Shove. Besides, he could have missed the shot, but he didn't. Given the opportunity, he won himself another championship. Good for him.

We fans complain, and rightfully so. I've never heard the 1998 Jazz themselves--aside from Bryon Russell, who was there--complain about The Shove. They're competitors. But we're fans. And not just Jazz fans--a good cross-section of NBA fans were livid over that call.

I'm not bitter, but I wish we could all go back in time and have the Game 7 that should have been but never was. Win or lose, it would have been a game for the ages.

Ben | 1:16 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

What about Luc Longley camping in the lane for 7-seconds, without a whistle? He did it the whole game/series....

RE: rsb | 1:41 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

You're either gifted with a sense of extremely subtle sarcasm or you REALLY need to get a life. Sorry to say, I can't figure out which one.

Bottom line: The Jazz lost, and there's nothing we can possibly do about it. So what's that I hear? Hey, the alarm clock's ringing! It's 2008 now and time to get up--or was that grow up?

Fernando Arias | 5:33 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

If it's a "non-issue", then why are journalists endlessly re-visiting it?

The truth is there are many poorly officiated games any season. Some referees, like Joey Crawford or Steve Javie, make a specialty out of letting games spin out of control.

I'm convinced the NBA is trying hard to get its refereeing in better shape, but there is no obvious fix to the problem.

As to the idea that "Jordan can't lose" being an explanation, I think it takes away from his teammates and to the Chicago Organization that assembled those teams around him.

Think about it this way, Steve Kerr and Jeff Hornacek were in my mind essentially interchangeable players (Hornacek was taller and a craftier defender but Kerr was healthier and quicker - they both were among the greatest shooters of their time). Kerr was seventh or eighth off the bench. Hornacek was a starter who got his number retired.

Four blind mice | 5:49 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

So, let me get this straight ... you had four college officials evaluate the job done three NBA refs? Talk about the blind leading the blind. Between the whole group, that's what, seven good eyeballs?

I challenge anyone to point out a more egregious botching of a 24-second clock call in the history of the NBA than Bavetta's wave-off of Eisley's 3-pointer. Game after game, I have seen replays of buzzer beaters and no matter how close they are, it is amazing that NBA refs consistently get them right. That they would screw up two in one game -- both favoring the Bulls -- is probably unprecedented. Eisley's shot was a good 10 feet out of his hand when the horn sounded.

And what, pray tell, did these college refs say about the play where Jeff Hornacek was knocked to the ground (I think by Ron Harper), and literally stole the ball while laying on the floor? He got up and dribbled many steps up court before Dan Crawford whistled him for a foul.

All that being said -- I don't think the fix was in. The NBA would have loved a Game 7. The refs were simply incompetent.

mavs fan | 8:42 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

Im from dallas. Not the biggest Jazz fan in the world. But I remember this series very well. The NBA makes sure big market teams win. Bill Russell said Jordan pushed off! Eisley made a 3pointer with 1sec left.
Game 6 of laker/kings was fixed. Game 6 of laker/timberwolves was fixed. San Antonio bucked the system by just being too much for the NBA to deal with. The Jazz got robbed. John and Karl should sue! Larry should stand up to the league and demand instant replay. Thats the only way to stop this sort of thing.

In My Opinion | 11:49 p.m. Aug. 18, 2008

My biggest criticism at that time was that Sloan did not step up during the series and complain in the media the way Phil Jackson did every time the Bulls lost a game. The Bulls had no answer for the Jazz so they were forced to play illegal defense in order to try and contain the Jazz pick and roll offense.
Had Sloan done his job as coach and complained through the media, shined the spotlight on the refs, and taken the fines, they would have had to call at least some of the illegal defenses that were being committed on almost every play. That was the only way Phil Jackson could even compete with the Jazz and he knew it and so did the NBA.

What's Next? | 12:20 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

1) This game is 10 years old. Most of the players in the game are retired. What's Next? a rehashing of the 1972 Gold Medal Game? (Look it up people)

2) If this series was rigged, wouldn't have the NBA wanted the series to go 7 games for even more money.

3) And, if the NBA was as real as the WWE, wouldn't the Laker, Clippers, and Knicks be the best teams in the league?

Ashamed of fellow Jazz fans | 8:53 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

As a disappointed Jazz fan, I went back and tried to watch the game tape after the fact. Trying to be as objective as possible, I had to admit that there were a number of calls that went the Bulls way but more so that went the Jazz's way.

We're all disappointed that even after 10 years, the Jazz lost but it wasn't the ref's fault. The players missed a lot of shots they should have made, turned the ball over when they shouldn't have and ultimately didn't do all they could to win. To blame the refs or anyone else is just a crutch.

Kudos to Amy and Chuck. You can obviously see that many of us still care, even if you were criticized for writing the story and trying to get some independent input about the officiating.

Those who can't see past their Jazz colors will never really believe the truth. There was no conspiracy, the better (as much as I hate to admit it) team won.

GO JAZZ!

RE: In My Opinion, What's Next | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Hey, "Opinion"--as I also said to "rsb" above, you're either gifted with a sense of extremely subtle sarcasm or you REALLY need to get a life. Sorry to say, I can't figure out which one with you, either.

In case you ARE hopelessly confused--plenty of us Jazz fans are just as happy Jerry Sloan would rather coach basketball than create a media circus. Whining in the media about the calls you get or don't get (cough/SHAQ/cough) is highly counterproductive and only makes YOU look like an idiot.

"What's Next," applause for bringing up the 1972 hoops gold medal game. I say that as long as we're bringing up past sports injustices and rubbing fresh salt in our own newly re-opened wounds, we go to war with the Soviets next until they reverse that call. (Sure, they're still the Soviets--aren't they? I ENJOY living in the past!)

MC Welk | 9:49 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

How about the relentless (uncalled) hand checking on Stockton. Oh about the game when the Jazz were down by 4 late and running out on the break and Rodman tackled Malone and they called a foul on Malone. I do have a problem and I do have too much time on my hands. In other news they got some amateur judges to go back and review the ice dancing results in Salt Lake City. Weak.

Re: David Farnsworth | 12:51 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

David - if they lost game 6, MJ wouldn't be "pulling off 2 straight wins in Utah."

but anyways as a Bulls fan I actually wanted to see the Jazz win once MJ was retired... but it was too late for them. I like the team now too though so I wish them luck in the upcoming season.

But I still can't believe articles are still being written about this.

Spizzy | 12:31 a.m. Aug. 20, 2008

This is directed at the joker who is puzzled at Kobe getting more calls than an entire Jazz team. Question: Have you ever taken any stats course? Have you ever played basketball? If so you would know that:

- if you drive you are more likely to get fouled than if you shoot.
- if you are guarding a player who is more superior athletically, you are more likely to foul him coz that will be one of the few ways to stop him.

i.e. Kobe is far more superior than anyone on the Jazz team, as he threatens with jabs, head fakes, etc, while intending to get to the rim/penetrate, the odds are he will get fouled a lot.

Jeez, get a clue!

Ashamed | 8:10 a.m. Aug. 20, 2008

For those of you who keep commenting on not believing the article was written--it did what it was intended to do. It got attention to the paper and a lot of us talking about an article.

I still say kudos to Amy and Chuck!

PS--the handchecking went on against both teams and wasn't called on either end--can't complain about that

Justice is Blind | 6:40 p.m. Aug. 20, 2008

What a couple of gasbags! I sat at the first Jazz game that Bavetta officiated the next season and he apologized to Jerry Sloan twice. As easy as you can read Jerry Sloan's lips, I could read Bavetta's. Clearly Dick's conscience was bothering him. For a lot of us who want a fair shake in life, we remain hurt and do not want the mistakes to occur again. The reason people do not forget the halocaust is because they do not want to ever see it happen again. People need to be reminded until such time as we are sure that travesty's do not repeat. I admit the comparison to the Jazz rip off to the halocaust is a bit over the top but it illustrates the point. The officiating this last playoff changed once Donaghy went public. Koby didn't get the favortism. It makes a difference when the game is called fairly!

Just A Game! | 5:01 a.m. Aug. 21, 2008

No, Justice is Blind, your reference to the Holocaust isn't just "over the top"--it makes no sense, has no relevance whatsoever, and will probably disagree with a great many people--if anybody else is still reading these comments, that is. I'd dig that foot out of your mouth as fast as I could if I were you.

A Jazz GAME is just a GAME, people. Nobody DIED over it. Nothing can be done about it now. There are MANY more important things in life to worry about. Why don't we move on and do ourselves a BIG favor?

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APPhoto/Scott Cunningham, Nba Photos

The Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan makes the game-winning shot, on a play Jazz fans still question whether or not it was a push-off, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against Utah at the Delta Center.