via cache.gettyimages.com

I know the refs are a sensitive subject with Mavs fans, but apparently of all the refs that have caused you trouble over the years, none is worse than Dan Crawford.

  *As we pointed out before Sunday’s Game 1, in Mavs playoffs games worked by Crawford from 2001-to-2005, the Mavs record was 0-8. (Those years, Dallas was 41-37 in games NOT worked by Crawford.)

    *Now we’re updated to this additional info: Since 2001, the Mavs are 53-50 overall in playoffs. Dallas record when Crawford is NOT working the game is 52-35. Dallas’ record when Crawford IS working the Mavs game is. … 1-15.

   *Want more? The one Mavs win under Crawford’s watch was in the 2006 Phoenix series, a Dallas blowout victory. Also in 2006, in the NBA Finals, guess who worked Game 3 against the Heat, when Dwyane Wade was allowed to shoot as many FTs (18) as the entire Mavs team made, all leading to Dallas’ two-point loss? That would be Danny Crawford.

   And in Game 6, when the Mavs lost by three points?And Wade shot 21 free throws, two fewer than the number shot by the entire Mavs team?

   Danny Crawford strikes again. 

   Seriously, Danny Crawford is the damned Grim Reaper. 

    *And then there is the statistical likelihood of what it all means (thanks, Ole and Butternut and my man Nick Reed):

   Dallas’ playoff winning percentage without Danny Crawford is 59.77 percent. 

I wonder how much you guys actually believe in referee conspiracies.  Do you think all of this stuff is just coincidental? Do you think it's officials just being inconsistent in their calls? Or do you think Stern and the league office sends certain officials to certain games to just be stubborn about the whole matter, regardless of what prior evidences shows are unfair advantages given to other teams?