| Union chief would welcome suspended referee back |
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| Written by Admin |
| Saturday, 19 May 2007 09:05 |
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -NBA union chief Billy Hunter said that the players would support the reinstatement of referee Joey Crawford, who was suspended after he was accused of trying to pick a fight with Tim Duncan during a game. ``We hated to see Joey get canned,'' Hunter told a sports lawyers' convention on Saturday. ``I think in all probability Joey will be back. We've expressed our willingness to work with him.'' Crawford ejected Duncan from a game last month after calling a second technical foul on the Spurs star while he was laughing on the bench. Duncan said Crawford looked at him and said, ``Do you want to fight?'' NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Crawford, who has worked more postseason games than any active ref at least through the NBA finals. Crawford was cited for ``improper conduct'' and ``inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game.'' Stern said Crawford's actions ``failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees.'' Crawford said Duncan swore at him. |
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