Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stern admits policy change after 2002 series

Sacramento Bee The Spokesman-Review

LOS ANGELES – In a brief interview Thursday evening at Staples Center, NBA commissioner David Stern officially acknowledged the league strengthened its process of reviewing referees because of dissatisfaction with the officiating in Game 6 of the Kings-Lakers 2002 Western Conference finals. But he denied any of the questionable calls resulted from anything more than poor judgment.

The league currently evaluates every possession of every game.

“Yes,” Stern replied, when asked if the Lakers’ controversial victory over the Kings in 2002 prompted the closer scrutiny.

During a 30-minute news conference held moments earlier, Stern said of Game 6: “There is a box score. You can watch it. You could look at it again and you could see what we call the correct, incorrect and non-call correct. We could go back and look at it. My guess is, it won’t be pretty, but it won’t be dishonest and it won’t be illegal. Of that I assure you.”