Marc Stein: NBA referees expect to be locked out on Oct. 1 - ESPN The prospect of replacement refs is an interesting one. I know a lot of fans like myself really dislike the inconsistent approach that NBA referees take towards officiating. Might some replacement refs officiate the game more consistently, or will they just follow the same old mandates? This might add a little extra spice to the early part of the season depending on how long the lockout lasts.
Stern has to do this, to set a precedent that the NBA is cutting everywhere, when he goes to the players for their contribution of a pound of flesh. This is good, because I can't stand Bilbo and this will undermine his legacy as some sort of genius. Everyone is a genius in a bull market.
I wouldn't be so quick to judge. The refs (along with the players) are in a very tough spot. They will lose big time this year and for the duration of the contract years. It is a good sign that Stern recursed himself from the table. He's the type to destroy any meaningful dialog and more importantly, the way it is presented. Likewise, Stern can not afford any deviation that does not start out in a professional style. With attendance down, the fans paying hard money for seats will not tolerate mediocre offiaciating...which will happen if a contract is not signed by the start of the official season.
My 1st thoughts are that this is something good. Bring in some new guys without all the old beefs and grudges and who knows we may even get some real dirt from the old refs. In reality though, it will be settled probably sooner rather than later. The old refs are not going to leave the table for a difference of a few percentage points one way or the other.
All true but the players have been suffering from bad calls for years. And trying to have a lock out doesn't look good on their be have especially since Donaghy got caught up. The refs need to suffer for a while and learn how to call a game.
Technically, if the refs make a bad call on one team, that rewards the other team. And if they make a good call on one team, that punishes the other team. So the players haven't really suffered. It's just that some benefited when they shouldn't have, and some lost when they shouldn't have. In the big picture, it's all still even. I have a hard time seeing the players as victims. Even the guys on min contracts who only get to practice. I would trade spots with them in a heartbeat and I like my life!
I think I would leave behind the glamorous working-man's life to get paid $457,588 to stay in great shape, travel all over the US in luxury, and sit court side at NBA games.
Whistle sounds approximately for 1 foul per 8 commited during reg season and in POs it is 1:10 There has been some tests to call every foul but who wants to see free throw parade? You? Also, refs, ain't perfect. It is damn easy to demand perfectionism from others but in real life...
Not sure if those are real stats, but regardless they are somewhat misleading. You would get to the 1:8 ratio in the regular season by doing math like this: If it says Wade or James on the back of your jersey, whistle sounds approximately for 1 foul per 1 committed on you, If you are a non-superstar vet, whistle sounds approximately for 1 foul per 8 committed on you, If you are a rookie not named Griffin, whistle sounds approximately for 1 foul per 100 committed on you. etc Add them all up... 1:8
And the ladies. And the parties. And the free shoes. And people will follow your twitter. And somewhere, on some forum, someone will be claiming the coach is suppressing your fantastic talent, and that you're the greatest thing not playing in the NBA (ego boost).
