The refs qualified Lietuvos Rytas to the TOP 16
Yesterday, we all saw the power of the referees in action. Their work was incredible because they made the miracle: a bunch of young teenagers from Lithuania smashing NBA and NCAA stars from Torino. Yes, of course, there will be voices who will say that the Americans from Torino played not so organized, that they made many turnovers or other excuses. But the difference was not made by turnovers. It was made by the hostile referees.
From the first minute of the game, the refs punished with fouls Torino squad more than necessary. The goal was to destroy the best formula of Torino, forcing the Italian team to play many minutes without one or two important players. When Torino came back a bit, the refs bite them a bit and Rytas gained another comfortable lead. Till the last quarter when Torino tried the impossible: the comeback. And they did it, but they entered the overtime without 2 important players, already eliminated with fouls: Marco Cusin and Jamil Wilson.
If you take a look at the free throw stats you will see the same inequity during the whole game: 14 free throws for Torino and 28 for Rytas. Just the excellent 3 points percentage maintained Torino in the game: they finished with 17 from 28.
I wonder how the experienced players from Torino could not defend the youngsters from Lithuania. How Rok Stipcevic who one week ago scored 0 points against Lietkabelis, yesterday scored 31 points and had 41 index rate? The same Stipcevic who was very weak against Fraport Skyliners 3 weeks ago and had just 1 index rate. Now became a hero like Lebron James? All depends on referees sent by the Eurocup to sink or to propel teams. This is the cruel reality. And everybody knows that “this” Lietuvos Rytas has the worst roster in decades!!!
If Rytas have lost against Torino, there was still a hope for Mornar Bar, but like this, they have to win against Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt today and next week to beat Rytas away with 24 points, which is impossible! Good job, referees, you are simply the best, because you simplify the qualifiers!
Graţian Cormoş, info@brainbasketball.net
