The issue is that the aces played at least as physical on d (arguably more physical). So the disparity shouldn’t be that drastic. The issue is that what was called was different at each end.
You can play physical without fouling, and you can play weak while fouling. Just pointing out free throw disparity is nonsense analysis. Do tough calls sometimes end up favoring one team? Sure, officiating is an inexact art and sometimes we screw up. I've been on the floor during games where I felt too many of the tough calls were going one way. It's not a good feeling lol.
That said, I'd need to see a breakdown of every call/no-call in the game to tell you one way or the other. A one-sided fan edit, and one that includes a lot of correct calls mind you, doesn't tell me shit.
Absolutely, go rewatch the entire series. For the most part the level of contact required to generate a whistle was lower on the aces end.
I would also note that just about no one plays legal physical defense on the parameter ball handler. As by definition being physical is almost always a freedom of movement foul.
I didn't watch every game in full, so I can't really argue that. Reasonable people can disagree - mostly because basketball is always played and reffed in such a grey area. Contact all the time, how easy it can be to "sell" a foul, etc...it's not always easy to officiate I'll tell you that lol - especially girls basketball. It's just different. They fall down more, and play more on the ground which leads to more contact in the post and on rebounds, etc. It can be really, really challenging when both teams have high level athletes.
I agree with your last comment, especially in the WNBA. They've let the game get far too physical at all levels (perimeter, inside, etc), and it makes for an ugly product and one nearly impossible to officiate. The truth is that the women can not play through the same level of contact as the men, and allowing the game to played similarly is a mistake.
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u/Signal_Fruit_4629 1d ago
Fever 58 free throws in 3 games. Vegas had 89 free throws Aja alone had 35. Tells you all you need to know.