NEW YORK (AP) _ NBA referee Joey Crawford was reinstated by
commissioner David Stern on Monday, five months after he was
suspended indefinitely for improper on-court conduct.
San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan contended that Crawford
challenged him to a fight during a game against the Dallas Mavericks
on April 15. Crawford ejected Duncan while the player was laughing
on the bench. Stern cited a pattern of similar acts in suspending
Crawford.
``Based on my meeting with Joey Crawford, his commitment to an
ongoing counselling program, and a favourable professional
evaluation that was performed at my direction, I am satisfied that
Joey understands the standards of game management and
professionalism the NBA expects from him and that he will be able to
conduct himself in accordance with those standards,'' Stern said in
a release.
Crawford enters his 32nd season as an NBA referee. He has
officiated more than 2,000 games during the regular season and 266
in the playoffs, including 38 in the NBA final.
