Jason Kidd: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Looked Upon As Champions’

Published: 6th Mar 12 10:35 am
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by Michael Terrill
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Jason Kidd: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Looked Upon As Champions’
Tyler Kaufman-US PRESSWIRE

According to sources, the Dallas Mavericks and Jason Kidd are frustrated after the loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night. Sure, they are disappointed they lost the game but they are more baffled that they continue to get screwed over by the referees.

“We don’t get the benefit of the whistle,” Jason Kidd said, according to ESPN. “I don’t think we’re looked upon as champions, but that’s a whole other story. Dirk (Nowitzki) should live at the line if they would call it the way it’s supposed to be. But, he doesn’t.”

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle has already been tossed this season for arguing non-calls by the officials and it seems likely to happen again in the near future.

“I’m in disbelief that there was a foul call on Mahinmi,” Carlisle said. “I just watched the play five times; I mean it’s a block. It’s an enormous play. And then Nowitzki gets hit on the arm at the other end and there’s no call. So, I’m at a loss. I apologize for that.”

Carlisle is referencing the play towards the end of the game when Dallas center Ian Mahinmi was called for a foul when he tried to block Serge Ibaka’s shot with 46.2 seconds left on the clock as the Mavericks maintained a one-point lead. Ibaka’s two free throws gave the Thunder the lead they would not relinquish.

“It was heat of the moment, they called a foul,” Mahinmi said. “I didn’t want to go up to the referee and him thinking I’m trying to use bad words and stuff, so it’s unfortunate for us.”

I have to side with the Mavericks on this one. There are so many fouls called every given night in the NBA and it is always the All-Stars who get the benefit of the doubt. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, all of these guys live at the line and yet the defending NBA champions cannot buy free throws.  This is not the only game I have seen this in as it has been going on all season long for the Mavs.

Oklahoma City shot 15 free throws to Dallas’ two in the fourth quarter and 33-10 overall in the game. That is an absurd difference for an NBA contest.

“Thirty-three to 10? Thirty-three free throws to 10, can I explain that?” Carlisle said. “They get to the free throw line a lot, but I don’t want to be accusatory to the officials. But, I thought our guys were aggressive enough to deserve a few more chances.”

I understand the Thunder are a very good team this season and heavy favorites to win it all, which would explain why they are getting so many calls in their favor, but I still think the Mavericks should have gotten a few more calls their way. The only thing for Dallas to do is accept what happened and move on. It is one thing to argue calls but to allow it to take away focus from the game is irresponsible.

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