Never confuse the dissemination of fact with 'whining'. It isn't prudent. Even for a Duke aficionado.A whole lotta whining going around... Im just saying
Bottom line...
An entire crew CANNOT miss a call so obvious. ...
There can be only 2 explanations.
1. The officials are incompetent to a degree that simply can't be tolerated.
2. Money changed hands in a fashion so suspect, a call to the FBI is in order.

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was livid in her postgame news conference following her team's loss to Los Angeles in the decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday night.
After congratulating the Sparks for winning the WNBA championship with a 77-76 victory over the Lynx, Reeve lit into the officiating.
"It's really unfortunate that players continually put themselves out there, playing and competing at a really high level," Reeve said. "Whether it was the 8-second call in L.A. or the game today, doesn't matter, OK? The game today, it's not fair to the players. It's not enough just to apologize or send out a memo that they got something wrong, OK? These players are so invested, and something must be done about the officiating in this league because it's not fair to these great players we have
More of a tongue-in-cheek organized crime (which I happen to have a modicum of experience with) reference, than politics.No politics![]()
That entire game you mentioned was a poorly called game in favor of LA. That game and game 5 proves LA can't beat the Lynx without plenty of ref help. But you need to understand that the WNBA in a business and LA needed something to get fan support there. Lynx winning was getting bad for this league. So the business decision was to spread the excitement to this huge base.the refs missed a much easier call in game 4. all they had to do was count to 8 for a back court violation. that allowed 2 points and greatly impacted the end of that game. the shot clock violation tonight was a much harder call. both teams had chances to win with bad calls going on. the sparks ended up prevailing. i have to say i am very very happy for parker. she has had a ROUGH year with losing Pat, which was much harder on her than the olympic snub. glad to see her really smile and mean it. it's been awhile.
Sorry. But that one play cost that team the game. Don't know which game you were watching. But that one play happen under a minute left.
That would have put the lynx up 2 points with under 50 seconds.
So tell me again. What game was you watching?
"One play don't cost you the game?" like hell it don't.
Whenever folks use language along the lines of, "the refs stole the game," I am reminded of Notre Dame fans. 'Tis the classic losers' lament. Sure, the refs can play a part, as do turnovers, missed shots, etc. The Lynx don't have any excuses. Congrats to L.A. on a gritty performance!
Guys, the rule is in the last two minutes, it has to be reviewed IMMEDIATELY, before play continues.
The refs gestured for review, then gave Minnesota the ball who inbounded it. At that point it was no longer reviewable.
Reeve was not clear on this because she then called time out to ask them to review it, using her final timeout and preventing them from advancing to half court after Nneka's final shot.
I don't mind the blown call on the shot, mistakes happen like that. To not know the rule that in the final two minutes it has to immediately go to review and instead let Minnesota inbound and blow that rule, is inexcusable.
I don't care what no says. That basket when the clock went to zero should have never counted.
Simple explanation---The WNBA in conspiracy to make up to Parker for not playing in the Olympic --gave her a WNBA Championship as door prize!!! If one is a conspiracy--isn't the other??malevocalist- - I agree with you, 150%, you're preaching to the choir!
The Linx were robbed of a Championship!
Yeah the problem was the review, if you watch the mens games, there have been many reviews on whether it's a 3 or 2, or after the shot clock. This was a huge mistake as you are playing the game thinking there will be a review and the 2 will be removed and then that doesn't happen. It has nothing to do with any other calls. It is a really sad situation and these finals will be forever questioned.
Although I'm not sure it is quite as bad as you say (it isn't good, I agree), and I don't really have an issue with who reviews them (it isn't always "retired" refs and it isn't always ex "refs", although it can be). But your last point is extremely well taken. And 50 is being charitable at the top end. Some are pushing 60, for sure.I complain about WBB both college and WNBA have the worst officiating of any sport! Incompetence is not even strong enough to describe what happens in every game!
One of the main problems are the supervisors evaluating the refs, both in college and the pros are retired refs, that have been working with their "Friends" for over 20 years or so and retire to be the supervisor of a Conference or a league! How do you tell your best friends that they stunk up the court and embarrassed themselves in that game by making horrible calls?
Another problem especially in college is the refs work 5 to 6 games a week all over 1/2 the country, with air travel, hotels, meals, plus the games themselves! It has to take a lot out of 30 to 50 year old refs both mentally and physically!
From the WNBA site:
October 21, 2016
NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2016 – Renee Brown, WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations, issued the following statement today regarding a play late in the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Sparks’ 77-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday at Target Center:
“After reviewing postgame video, we have determined that Nneka Ogwumike’s shot with 1:14 remaining in regulation time should not have counted due to a shot-clock violation, and that the referees improperly failed to review the play under the instant replay rules.”
No that was the NCAA rule, this is the WNBA rule.After the Louisville game Baylor fans were told to suck it up, that bad officiating is part of the game and that you have to know how to win despite poor officiating. Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner were deemed as failures for not winning that game. It doesn't seem that the same rule applies to Reeve and the Minnesota players.

did we want Maya to win another title it that bad or just didn't want CP3 to win one.
the Lynx screwed up when they lost game one, bottom line!