NBA Reinstates Joey Crawford

by Anschad

http://fortheloveofsports.blogspot.com/

According to Basketball News and Hoops World, NBA Ref Joey Crawford has been reinstated into the NBA by David Stern. This comes as a surprise because Crawford said that even if he was reinstated by Stern he would never referee another NBA game.

A flurry of publicity surrounded the suspension of NBA referee following a showdown with San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan. It was with much less fanfare that Crawford was reinstated. Basketball News has learned that NBA Commissioner David Stern, satisfied that Crawford has learned his lesson, has reinstated one of the NBA's most respected referees. Crawford was suspended for the season after he had words with Duncan and then ejected him during an emotionally-charged game in Dallas against the Mavericks. Duncan was fined $25,000 for his part in the incident. "Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted," Stern said at the time. "Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities."Now an agreement has been reached, and Crawford will once again patrol the NBA hardwoods.

Here is a good quote by Joey C. about this situation given when he got suspended for the rest of the season, "I told him (Stern) I would throw Duncan out again if he did what he did,” Crawford wrote. “So if my employer does not think that was acceptable, then I have a problem.” And remember this one about Dick Bavetta from ESPN's insider :

> "Crawford also blasted fellow referee Dick Bavetta in the e-mail obtained by ESPN.com, hinting at divisions among referees between those who do and don’t support Bavetta and writing that maybe Bavetta will wind up as the crew chief in Game 7 of the NBA “which is a travesty in itself you even being in the finals.”

What a great man, I can't wait for him to be back in the NBA throwing players out of games, especially throwing superstars out for laughing. Joey Crawford to Tim Duncan... "you wanna fight about it..."   http://fortheloveofsports.blogspot.com/