While Celtics and Magic Roll, Stern Fumes

There are three things we have learned during the NBA playoffs: the ghost of Tim Donaghy past still haunts David Stern, the rumors of the Boston Celtics' demise have been greatly exaggerated, and the Orlando Magic may need to find a cape for Jameer Nelson.

The Ghost of Donaghy

The ghost of Tim Donaghy past has resurfaced and David Stern has had enough. Although it has been three years since the Donaghy mess, the NBA is still working to protect the reputation of its officials. Even before Donaghy, there was criticism of NBA officials that included favorable calls to superstars, a perception that the NBA wants certain teams to advance in the playoffs and the officials work to make sure this happens.

NBA officials also look vulnerable as coaches do their best to work the officials both on the court and off the court in any way the coaches can. This year, Phil Jackson took the first salvo by making comments about how often the Thunder's Kevin Durant gets to the free-throw line.

NBA Commissioner David Stern has had enough of referee criticism both past and present. Stern has made it public that criticism won't be tolerated and is not only making players and coaches pay fines, but he is now threatening to give out suspensions.

Orlando forward Matt Barnes and coach Stan Van Gundy were each fined $35,000 for being critical of how referees were treating Dwight Howard. Barnes said referees needed to "stop calling such tic-tac fouls on him." Van Gundy's said he doesn't "see the other great players in this league on the bench all the time with foul trouble, especially on marginal calls." Van Gundy has since said he is done talking about the referees. After hearing this, Stern smiled and said it was the best news he'd heard all day. In Orlando's Game 3 win, Howard fouled out with three minutes to play, but the Magic went on to win.

The USA Today reports Stern going after former coach Pat Riley retroactively saying, "I wish I had it to do all over again. Starting 20 years ago, I'd be suspending Phil Jackson and Pat Riley for all the games they play in the media. You guys know that our referees go out there and knock themselves out and do the best job they can, but we've got coaches who will do whatever it takes to work them publicly."

Stern went on to basically say, "And if someone wants to try me in the rest of the playoffs, you know, make my day. Because the game is too important and I don't think that the people who trash it are respecting it, and we'll do what we have to do — the players and coaches alike — because they give the impression to our fans that the referees somehow have an agenda.

Stern is right to go after coaches and players who go after the referees, but is it too late? The league has made it a point to market stars and most people would agree that the stars get the calls, so is it too late for Stern to try to make referee-bashing a thing of the past? It is most telling that Stern would like to retroactively punish Riley and Jackson for comments made on the officials. The fact that it is being acknowledged by Stern that coaches play these games in the media is refreshing. Hopefully, Stern's comments will go a long way into cleaning up all of the urban myths about the NBA being one large conspiracy theory to get certain teams and players in the championship.

Celtics' Demise Exaggerated?

Boston has a little left in the tank. Maybe the Celtics aren't completely done, as has been reported by many. Even with Kevin Garnett missing an entire game due to suspension, Miami couldn't beat Boston in Game 2. Maybe, however, Boston's sudden playoff exuberance could be credited more to its first round opponent than being able to just flip the playoff switch. Boston has won nine of its last 10 games against Miami. Then again, beating the Heat three straight games is no small feat considering Dwyane Wade is still one of the best in the game.,

If Boston can put the Heat away quickly, it may allow the Celtics to put more in the tank. In a recent interview on Boston.com, Paul Pierce said, "It's very important, if we're able to get Game 4, it'll give us some days rest. We're an older team, sometimes we need that rest." The Celtics last two postseasons have seen all series go six or more games and four of them went seven. The Heat have not advanced past the first round since they won the Finals in 2006.

If the Celtics can finish the Heat, the next opponent will be the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. Assuming the Cavaliers beat the Bulls, the Celtics will need a full tank to take on LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Nelson Lifting the Magic

The Orlando Magic can win in the playoffs when Dwight Howard struggles. Jameer Nelson's 32 points in game one helped offset Dwight Howard's foul troubles and Vince Carter's 4-of-19 shooting. Game 2 saw Vince Carter catch fire as he scored 19 points, while Dwight Howard was limited to 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 28 minutes due to foul trouble.

Dwight Howard fouled out of Game 3 with 3:32 left and Charlotte leading, but Jameer Nelson again had a huge night with 32 points. Game 3 also saw Howard's replacement, Marcin Gortat, go 3-of-4 from the foul line, even though he was shooting 64% from the charity stripe during the season. Gortat has played 60 minutes to Howard's 82 through three games.

Last year, Nelson missed the first three rounds of the playoffs, and the Magic went to the NBA Finals with Howard carrying the team. In this year's playoffs, the Magic have found a way to win without relying on Howard. In addition to Nelson's scoring, Rashard Lewis is now playing like Vince Carter. Lewis' ability to drive to the hoop late in the game and clutch free throws after getting fouled have been very Vince Carter-like.

Of course, it is doubtful that Orlando would like to continually invent new ways to win. Howard will need to get back to his old high-scoring ways and start to stay out of foul trouble as the playoffs go forward. Magic fans would rather see Howard on the court and Gortat on the bench.

It will be interesting to see if Boston and Orlando can finish off their first-round opponents and to see if anyone else is willing to test David Stern's mettle.