It’s definitely a different game. We’ve just got to adjust to it
NBA players are used to getting easier calls, and less fouls during the course of an 82-game season. FIBA games are officiated a bit differently than the NBA, although the rules are similar.
Carmelo Anthony chimed in and tried to explain why he feels there is a difference in how the games are officiated.
You can’t pinpoint it. In the NBA, the refs see the same guys over and over. In international play, they don’t see us like that, and they don’t know our tendencies.
FIBA officials are less tolerant of complaining, so players are encouraged to talk to them instead of yelling or arguing. They also aren't very open to hearing from anyone other than the head coach from the sideline.
There is no star treatment here, no one player raking in the majority of fan viewership, and the game itself is focused on team play rather than relying on individuals to carry the load.
FIBA also seems to allow more physicality than what players are used to in the NBA, and there is no bargaining to sell calls, but simply a game of the best playing the best.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has to coach with NCAA officials and FIBA officials, thinks it's best not to overreact against them, and feels the players need time to adjust instinctively to what's happening on the court.
Those officials, it's an honor for them to ref in the Olympics, and it's an honor for them to ref our game. By doing something, we might disrespect them. You don't want to do that with anybody.
They're not cheating us is what I tell the guys. Don't ever get into that. They're not cheating us. We just have to react to it differently. Over 10 years ago, we all were saying, ‘We're getting cheated.' We've not bought into that for a decade, and we're not going to do it now.
Team USA has to adjust and man up to the rules of the game. They can't expect calls even if they feel they are fouled and must push through until the end if they want to win.
It's a true saying that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that never comes easy.
That's what Olympic competition is about, isn't it?
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