Tim Legler says NBA did not push back on officiating criticism

During an appearance on the Awful Announcing Podcast, Tim Legler stated that the NBA has never responded negatively to his critiques of officiating. Legler, emphasizing the importance of respectful discourse, mentioned that he and fellow analyst Richard Jefferson strive to provide constructive criticism. He also shared insights on league dynamics regarding player protections during the Finals, particularly concerning Victor Wembanyama. Legler remarked that he did not believe the league intentionally avoided calling fouls against Wembanyama during critical moments of the Finals. This follows discussions about officiating standards that sparked controversy last season, particularly around the departures of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson from ESPN.

• 5:30 PMYahoo Sports — Tim Legler: NBA never pushed back on ESPN’s officiating criticism during Finals