"Really, Malloy?"

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As one of our readers commented, Doc Rivers’ technical fouls last night were not the first times he’s gotten into it with referee Ed Malloy.

Their strenuous relationship actually dates all the way back to March 12, 2003, when Doc was still coaching Andrew DeClercq, Pat Garrity, and the Orlando Magic. Oddly enough, Doc was coaching against the Jazz that night too. (Associated Press via St. Petersburg Times)

The Magic appeared to be fading early in the second half, as the Jazz opened a 13-point lead. But Orlando came back after official Ed Malloy slapped DeClercq with a technical for staring after a noncall, then hit Magic coach Doc Rivers when he came off the bench in fury. Stockton’s two foul shots put the Jazz ahead, 77-65.

“It was the worst technical foul I have ever seen in my entire life,” Rivers said. “It was the young guy who was intimidated the entire night. He really was.

The worst technical foul Rivers had ever seen, eh? He must not have known of Joey Crawford back in 2003.

But personal feuds shouldn’t play a part into how a ref calls a game. You just know that Malloy was waiting to ‘T’ Doc up all night long: “Intimidated? Me? I’ll show him!”

Referees need to get over themselves. Contrary to most refs’ beliefs, people don’t go to games to watch the zebras blow their whistles.