SAN ANTONIO – Joey Crawford’s ejection of Tim Duncan during a regular season game in 2007 remains one of the most bizarre incidents in Spurs and NBA history.
Crawford gave the Spurs future Hall of Famer two technical fouls because Duncan was laughing on the bench during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
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Crawford believed Duncan was defying his calls on the court and then allegedly challenged Duncan to a fight after the incident. It’s a moment that to this day remains with Crawford everywhere he goes.
Crawford announced earlier this season he is retiring this season after nearly 40 years of officiating.
In a recent interview with ESPN, the Associated Press and USA Today, Crawford spoke about the infamous ejection.
Here is an excerpt of Crawford’s interview with ESPN.com:
“I would just say to him, if we got down to it, the nitty gritty, we are sitting there having a couple of beers, I would say, ‘Hey, I made a mistake.’ But you know what, in reality, I can't go anywhere without somebody asking me about Tim Duncan. He is known for his great stellar career. I don't know what I am known for. I guess it's throwing out Tim Duncan. What are you going to do? It is part of my career. I don't hold anything against him. It is just part of what happened.”
Crawford was suspended for the rest of the season and ultimately spent time seeing a sports psychologist.
Crawford says his last 10 years after the Duncan incident were better than the first 30.
“The Duncan thing is always a big thing, I regret that. There are numerous interactions that you have with players and coaches, that you get back into the hotel and say, ‘Why did I say that to him? Why did I do that? That was dumb! Stupid!’”
Crawford became public enemy No. 1 in the Alamo City after Duncan’s ejection, but he remains one of the more accomplished officials in the game.
Crawford has officiated more than 2,500 games in the regular season and another 344 in the playoffs. He has worked more postseason and NBA Finals games than any current official.
Crawford added he and Duncan have never reached out to one another about the ejection, but it was a moment that changed his life and he has used it a positive throughout the rest of his career.
Just for old times' sake, video of the incident is posted below via YouTube: