The bravado of NBA referee Joey Crawford fails in comparison to the respect he has justly earned over his thirty one years of NBA experience. Or perhaps his ego does indeed exceed his popularity and impeccable judgement as an official. So, why in the word did he metaphoris into Travis Bickle and challenge the league's gentle giant, Tim Duncan to a dual. My goodness, I was waiting for the ever popular, "you talking to me", line that seemingly will live on forever-unlike Crawford's career. He has been suspended indefinitely by commissioner David Stern thus, it doesn't appear Joey C will return to officiating in the National Basketball League.
I heard and read the harsh criticisms of the commissioner regarding this matter and honestly, I think they're all wrong. We ask professional athletes be everything under the sun but human. Media, fans and management alike demand professionalism at the highest level even amidst beer throwing fans, vulgar laced taunting and unsportsman like conduct that sometimes borders criminal assault. "Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?" Crawford yelled to Duncan and as he ejected Duncan from the game. I guess Big Joe had enough of the non-verbal antics of the benched Duncan and tossed him like a used tissue. In case you just returned from Mars, Tim Duncan is the crucial piece to the Spurs and Crawford's actions had an impact on the game. This is why the league took swift and immediate action. I think Joey Crawford is an outstanding official but, this time he crossed line and therefore he should accept the consequences of his actions just like any other employee of the National Basketball Association.
Now, I'll ask this question again. Why in the world would Phillies manager Charlie Manuel seek to put the hammer down on WIP AM sports talk host Howard Eskin. Manuel in response to Eskin's post-game question on getting tough as motivation to the 3 and 9 ball club. "I think they see me angry more than you think they do. I think you probably don't see me angry. I can show you I can get angry, if you want to," Manuel boasted to Eskin. "Why don't you drop by my office? I'll be waiting on you. I'll be waiting on you. I'll walk down there right now."
Whoa! Pull it back Chuck, twelve games into the season and you're threatening to open up the can on a sports talk guy--I take this as a heat of the moment blow-up and give you a pass however, I expect more from the skipper of the "team to beat" in the east.
Steven Seagal look out, there's some new bad men in town and they come in the form of Joey Crawford and Charlie Manuel. You talking to me! Travis Bickle lives!!!!!
