Or if you make the call at the end of the game (like, say. UConn v Iowa WBB semis) you get accused of trying to put one team into the finals for ratings. Which, given to eventual ratings .... It's a no-win.
I gave up on the Sixers game after 3Q so I don't know the specific calls referenced. But the best explanation I've heard (from Jay Wright about the UConn-Iowa call) is that at the end of the game most refs shift to a "gained advantage" methodology (though saying that no ref would acknowedge it). If the "foul" did not yield a clear gained advantage on the play, then it shouldn't be called. I guess I can live with that, given there can't really be an intellectually consistant way of resolving "it's a foul that was called all game" vs "te players should decide the outcome" throngs.
I gave up after the 3Q because it is just sad watching Joel trying to impact the game when he doesn't fee he can compete physically right now. I don't watch a lot of NBA any more (seem to relate better to WBB for the last 20 years), but I did really enjoy the way the Sixers were playing at the beginning of the year -- the way they were moving the ball, and moving without the ball, playing anticipatory help defense etc. It was horrible watching them last night -- at least to my eye.