I’m Terrified. You Should Be Too.
With each passing day, it looks more and more like we’ll have replacement referees in the NBA for at least a portion of the ‘09/10 NBA season. As it stands now, referees from the WNBA, NBA Summer League and D-League affiliates would step in to fill the gap. On the surface, it might not seem like as big of an issue as it was in 1995.
I’m here to tell you it is, and why you should be panicking.
When I wrote this article, Dime readers knew right away that I respected the WNBA and it’s immense pool of talent. However, if I’m honest, I simply cannot say the same for WNBA referees and it worries me. To be fair, there are some that don’t share the same amount of anxiety I do as we enter the ‘09/10 NBA season.
In a USA Today report, Joel Litvin (NBA’s President of Basketball Operations) was quoted as saying the following about the referee situation and the potential replacements.
“These referees are sort of part of the extended family, which is what makes it different from ‘95. The vast majority are either D-League referees, they’re WNBA referees, they’ve been to our summer leagues and been trained by our managers. They’ve been to our tryouts. So unlike in ‘95, when we were selecting more or less strangers to be replacements, these are people that we know and have been working with for several years, which is a reason why we feel pretty good about how they will perform when they’re on the floor.”
This scares the crap out of me.
For Litvin to be confident in the ability of replacement referees is one thing. For him to equate them as part of their extended family and to imply that we’ll not even see a difference in the integrity of officials is downright alarming.
I’m not going to sit here and continually bash referees for an entire post (I played basketball at a high level and know how difficult it is for them), but at the same time, it certainly is a cause for concern. For example, in Game 3 of the Seattle Storm/Los Angeles Sparks series, there were 29 fouls called in the first half. Yes, you read that right – the first half. Keep in mind, this is including quarters that are 2 minutes shorter than the NBA. That’s not to say NBA referees are perfect, not by a long shot. But if there are 29 fouls called in the WNBA in one half, imagine the type of calls that we’ll see in the NBA which is obviously a more physical game.
There’s always something to complain about regarding referees in basketball, that much is certain. Though, for as much as they get ridiculed, the NBA does have the best referees in the world. With the ego’s and superstar treatment that we’ve become accustomed to in the Association, officials seemingly do a good job of setting the tone of the game early and sticking to it. I know that there are games where this isn’t the case, but as a whole, the quality of NBA referees is second to none.
In the NBA’s defense, what other alternative do they have? As Litvin points out in the USA Today article, they certainly didn’t have a plan B in 1995.
“So unlike in ‘95, when we were selecting more or less strangers to be replacements, these are people that we know and have been working with for several years, which is a reason why we feel pretty good about how they will perform when they’re on the floor.”
More so than anything, this debacle highlights an unfortunate start to what could be an epic NBA season. The amount of sheer talent on these rosters, coupled with the emergence of new superstars and exciting rookies, has generated a groundswell of excitement and anticipation amongst fans. It’s too bad that this seemingly petty issue will be dragged on throughout the season.
In any event, as someone who has covered the WNBA for the entire season, I’ve seen my share of referees that will be upgraded to the NBA when no agreement is reached. All I can say is…be afraid…be very afraid.
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September 30th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Coop says:
“Best referees in the world”? What an idiotic comment.
Why don’t you settle down until you actually see poor refereeing? Jesus.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
bballfan says:
Good article. The officiating with replacement referee will be horrible. We didn’t have TIVO and 15 different camera angles in the ‘95 season. Technology is going to expose how bad these refs really are the NBA will choke on their words, “we feel pretty good about how they will perform when they’re on the floor.” They were so desperate to find replacement that they even hired 2 referees who were FIRED from the NBA for POOR performance! Did they get blessed or anointed by a referee god, all now of the sudden made them better and more competent to referee at the NBA level now?
The NBA refs ARE the best in the world, so if it takes a few weeks of screwed up games/calls/rules/fights/injuries for the public to see, then so be it. NBA players and GM’s will be begging for the real refs, it’s just a matter of time.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:36 am
scotsman says:
@coop
right on man. as far as im concerned the NBA has some of the WORST refereeing in any american pro sport. as long as they dont go overboard with the foul calls, getting some fresh faces in there is a good thing IMO
September 30th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Soopa says:
Kinda a stretch to call them the best in the world because the rest of the world dont play by the NBA rules. Lots of hand checking is allowed in Europe for instance. So its a tough comparison.
But i share your concern regarding the new refs. Getting used to a faster game isnt easy so theres bound to be some ‘interesting’ games to begin the season. But then again, if all the games get called the same way, then what does it matter? Its all about competing on equal terms, not ref’ing perfect games.
Whats the worst that can happy? LeBron getting called for a travel more every few games? Howard missing 6 more free throws each game?
September 30th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Saku 39 says:
Not worried/don’t care. 99% of the time it’s the players that decide the games.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:04 am
King says:
Sometimes familiarity leads to bad referreing. It’s nit like the replacement refs haven’t been working on Their craft for many years so let’s see how it plays out.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am
egypt says:
the nba officiating is garbage… its the only sport that i watch in which i can easily name half a dozen of the refs….the refs…not the players, not the players… but the refs…. no sport in the world should have its fans being able to quote the names of the officials… they should never be bigger then the actual game and thats what the nba has become… i wouldnt mind so much if they officiated the star player of team “x” the same way as the guy that gets garbage minutes in blowouts of team”x” as well….thats my biggest issue for sure
that being said… we are accustomed to how bad those refs are… but in comparison, the new ones we are about to see are going to be 100 times worse because they simply have never done it before on that stage….ever … the players are gonna just give it to em every single call and so will the fans… this running subplot will overtake espn and every single game until this gets fixed… probably up until the trade deadline this wont go away…
September 30th, 2009 at 10:17 am
SparkyJay23 says:
The refs need to be panicking for sure when we see the replacements refs – which could include olympic final refs – showing just how rubbish the “real refs” are.
Superstar call my ass
September 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
flegman says:
There are two things:
that would be fun, the players would cry and beg for bringing back Bavetta, Crawford, Salvatore, etc.
“original” refs can be good or bad. I think this replacement ref experiment will turn out like the synthetic ball experiment. I also think, let’s bring in some FIBA refs
the second thing is that the league claims that the NBRA should consider the economic crisis, blah-blah, not to ask for more money, etc.
The refs’ job is awful. They want more money, I understand that. While DJ Stern gets around 10 million a year. Cut his salary, cut Ahmad Rashad (wtf does he do? wtf is his job? asking dumb questions like “Mike, how does it feel to be great?”), cut Stu Jackson, etc, then you won’t have to fire ballboys, background personnel and could pay the refs, too.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
control says:
The reffing in the NBA is absolutely HORRIBLE. The game is as bad as it is now BECAUSE of the reffing. I say fire all of those asshole refs and get new ones, maybe put an age cap at 50 too, cause the current crop of refs are so old they could be great grampas for most of the league.
The refs have had WAY too much impact on the game, and as mentioned even in this article, they “set the tone of the game”. What the fuck is that? Let the god damn players “set the tone of the game”, the rules are the rules, they shouldn’t be different depending on who is playing.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see some ’star’ players suddenly having a huge decrease in stats with a new crop of refs. How good would Wade be if every time another player looks at him, he DOESN’T get fouled? How good will half of the NBA be if they aren’t allowed to take 3 or 4 steps and can’t get away with the AI “hold the ball from the bottom for 4 seconds” cross over?
Fuck the refs, I hope they starve. They let flopping have a place in a man’s game, and ruined it. There’s going to be a transition period, of course, but the game can only be improved by getting a new set of refs who are decent, but aren’t laid in place as star player bitches.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Marian says:
is see it the way control does.
nba refs have been strait crap the last couple of season. every bit of fresh whistles will be good.
go ast bill simmons what he thinks about this…
September 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
TJ says:
I say fuck the refs, let’s get some replacements. Maybe we’ll have fewer refs trying to flex their muscles and show how important they are (Joey Crawford).
September 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am
sh!tfaced says:
Damn. Need to watch that pathetic romantic shit movie, Forget Paris before I panic….
September 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
Accept my boy Bavetta…
September 30th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
bballfan says:
Control and TJ, what the hell are you guys talking about? You sound just like disgruntle fans whose favorite team can’t ever bring home a championship. If you think the refereeing awful, go watch some old school video from back in the day. The only reason why people didn’t talk about officiating back then is because there was no TIVO, there was no instant replay. Sure, now it’s easy for you say that the refs suck, after you saw the replay in super slow motion. Ever try to referee a game? I bet not. Try joining your local basketball association and start refereeing high school kids. You’ll be in for a real shocker.
How can you say things like, “fuck the refs?” These people dedicated their lives to work on their craft as professional referees. The NBA wants to make major chances to their pension and you go saying things like “fuck the refs?” Boy, sounds like you guys are really unhappy.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Boofrog says:
Great article. This season is going to be completely different with WNBA refs. You’re a fool if think refs don’t influence nearly every aspect of the game. When was the last time a charging call didn’t either energize a team or sap all their momentum? Calls change the rhythm of the game, and that’s just the beginning.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Ben York says:
All I’m saying is that if you’re complaining about the refs now, just wait until the replacement ones come…
September 30th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
control says:
bballfan
I have played basketball at all levels and HAVE reffed a few high school games and tournaments. The major attribute that is essential to a ‘good’ game is being completely neutral to the players in the game. The refs should be part of the background, akin to the basketball or backboard and rim. They are a piece of equipment that just keeps the players honest without judging or being biased against particular players. That essential attribute is lost in the NBA right now, COMPLETELY.
Look at Ron Artest (I’m not a fan of Crazy Ron’s BTW) in the play offs last year. The refs were against him so bad, they should have been wearing Lakers jerseys. Sure he’s a lunatic, and has a reputation, but he was judged more harshly than everyone else unfairly. Look at Kendrick Perkins as well, I HATE the guy, I think he’s a piece of shit, but the refs seem to hate him more and will assign horrible fouls to him consistently (though it’s probably Doc Rivers paying the refs off so he can get Perk off the floor).
You tell me to go back and watch some old school video, and see how bad the reffing was then…well some of those refs are the SAME GUYS. Just 50 years OLDER. Some of these refs are so old that it’s a wonder they have the mental facilities to get dressed in the morning or eat their food without help. They shouldn’t be DICTATING the results of a game at this level.
As long as the new refs coming in know the rules of basketball, and STICK by them for EVERYONE, instead of giving this bullshit ’star treatment’, then I’ll be happy. Every call a ref makes is going to have 50% of fans saying it’s the wrong call, but this game would be worth watching if it were fair and unbiased.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
POPPI GEE says:
It’s like 5.9 in one hand and half a dozen in the other, and you can lead a horse to water, unless he is a pimp. And that pimp won’t even miss that water till his well is out of pimp juice.
The old refs sucked and the new ones will too and it’s not even that they will suck so much more. It’s really just a simplistic nature of some different weirdos.
We all have been complaining about refs and will continue. These refs coming in could be near perfect but won’t catch any breaks and still be blamed for so much because that is what people do, and it’s the refs role so to speak and it really won’t matter none in the whole scheme of things.
Ultimately the game is the game even if you took strangers, or affiliates of other leagues to ref. They will be critizied and make mistakes no matter what and we as fans will and players will be the first to jump down their collective throats.
I don’t think NBA refs are the best at all. Personally I feel dudes that desire too who have played in the L. should ref the game.
Anyway old or new, the main thing is that the game continues and never stops. If you stop watching or suddenly dislike a major portion or the game itself because of refs then something is wrong with the disliker. Old refs were crooked and new ones will be too.
Let the games begin!
September 30th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
bballfan says:
Control,
Some good points you had. But you have to remember, refereeing basketball is the most difficult sport to officiate HANDS DOWN. The speed and size of the players make it extremely difficult. That’s why we will never see a perfectly officiated game. Just about every single call is subjective because most of it deals with contact. What makes a great referee is his ability to distinguish between legal and illegal contact. If they called a foul every single time contact was made, the game would take 5 hours to play, there would be ZERO flow to the game, and just about everyone would be fouled out.
Take a simple block vs. charge play. In theory it sounds easy…it’s either a block or a charge, right? But who makes that determination of what the right call is? Some may say it’s a charge, some with a different vantage point say it’s a block. Other’s with a different angle of the play say it’s a flop, while others think it’s a no-call. If you showed that play to 100 people, you will NEVER have all of them agree on the same thing, I guarantee it.
Also, the players are so crafty that they are able to fool the refs into giving them a call. Fisher is a perfect example. So is Rick Hamilton. He’s the type of guy that would cut off the ball, then grab his defender (making it look like he’s being held), then he’ll scream trying to get the refs attention hoping he’ll get the call. It’s such a difficult thing to referee.
If you honestly think these referees are awful, then I can’t wait for you to see what kind of disaster you will see on the court starting tomorrow when the replacement officials hit the court. They brought on 2 x-NBA referees who were FIRED FOR POOR PERFORMANCE. They brought back people who haven’t refereed in years who are out of shape, dont know the rules, don’t grasp the concept of game management, don’t have the proper conflict resolution skills to deal with these sharks (players and coaches). I’ll be interested what you have to say after you’ve carefully watched a few games. Lets stay in touch.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMAO@ post #1.
Dime is really trying to keep this story alive. No one really gives 2 squirts of piss about the NBA Refs. If 75% of the country thinks the athletes are spoiled brats, then what do you think they’ll say about the Refs? Exactly! In the words of The “Real” Tyrone “f^k these punk ass refs yall, they don’t be dishin dope dimes do they yall!!
September 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
control says:
bballfan
I am not disagreeing with you. In fact, I agree with you as far as basketball being the hardest sport to officiate. There is more speed in power in basketball than in any other sport. That is WHY we NEED some new blood in the officiating pool. Putting it plainly, most of those guys are too old to do the job correctly.
The current crop of refs also slants towards certain ’stars’ in ALL situations, regardless of what happened. Look at LeBron or Wade, if there is a charge/block situation, they will get the call over anyone else damn near 100% of the time. That has nothing to do with angle, point of view or anything other than the star is the star so he gets the call, period. That bullshit has to stop.
As far as the players being crafty, it’s not about being crafty, it’s about the ref being stupid as shit. There’s no way that you can watch a player like Manu and actually think “oh yeah, he did get hit hard enough to look like he got shot by a sniper” and think that giving him the call is a good idea.
Honestly, Anderson Valgina should take his 50 million, and give at least 30 of it to all of the refs in the league to resolve this whole labour dispute. The refs let him get away with his pussy ass flopping bullshit. If they didn’t let him get away with that shit, he wouldn’t even be in the league, because it’s not like he has a single identifiable basketball skill.
Or maybe Wade could Ebay that championship ring the refs gave him, use the proceeds to get over this issue.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
doc says:
Yall think NBA referees are the worst.Wait until some replacements get out there.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
fan says:
New refs don’t mean no flopping and star calls not being whistled. That comes from up top. It’s not going anywhere as the Star is the faces of the league. It is a Star’s league baby. I do think some of the refs are a little old and the game has changed. So I’d like to see them mentor some new blood. The pettiness of the whole thing is just immature. It definitely seems to be overshadowing a very upbeat and promising year of beautiful basketball up ahead. I can’t wait to see the new rooks performing. I really like this class overall. Not a lot of stars but definitely starters in the future. Rose,Rondo,Durant,Roy, and so on emergence was a blessing in disguise for the league. I hope the new blood keeps pouring and aiming to be better than before. Take the game and respect. Be better than your hero. It’s a motto to follow.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Chilirey says:
they are just probably going to take the preseason off & sign 2 weeks before tip off….
September 30th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
tja says:
im from europe but i wouldnt like to see it, that the refferees in the nba are officiating in the same way as here according to traveling and reaching in and stuff like that but other than that i also think the superstar treatment BULLSHIT has to stop.
somehow the nba thinks it is their duty to direct after their own screenplay to produce thrilling games and seasons, and to create stars, but there is so much talent and skill, why not let the players fight till they collapse, im sure there is a lot to see, and in that way legends are born.
i also think its stupid that after a dunk a player isnt allowed to even LOOK at his opponent, the sport of basketball includes competition and sometimes humiliation, but i understand that the league is more a family getaway nowadays and have to accept it, which wouldnt be the biggest issue.
the refferee replacement doesnt sound good, nevertheless i would say: wait and lets see, judge them after some weeks. so not only the refs should judge game situations objectively, but also we should, and after articles like that (no offense you have good reasons to be terrified ben) i fear that a lot of people will scream after every single whistle (“didnt i tell you?”). if they in general are crap let us all drag them to the guillotine and (due to the lack of other choices) call for the (very)old ones…
September 30th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
the cynic says:
didn’t billy crystal throw out kareem in his farewell game in that movie? Hopefully we can get some classic ejections this year, like Duncan being tossed for laughing on the bench
September 30th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
pilight says:
The worst part about using the WNBA refs is that they left most of best ones off the list. The best refs in the W are women, but none of them are going to be used.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:40 am
bballfan says:
plight,
Did you just say the best refs in the W are women? You have completely lost your mind. When the NBA hired the 2 women years ago, 1 of them was decent, she’s improved and gotten into the playoffs the last few years. The other, Dee Kanter, during her tenure was rated the worst official by the Coaches, GM’s, Owners, Players, NBA management, and thus was fired for her weak performance.
The women officials in the WNBA are horrible for the most part. The only reason they have men working in that league is to save the integrity of the game, and because the women are so weak. Wake up to reality…women don’t belong in a men’s game. Tough shit.
The NBA was desperate finding replacements to cover games, and out of desperation, they STILL didn’t ask any women to work. What does that tell you?
Does everyone else agree with me or do they think they should bring on women to the replacement staff?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:09 am
Chicagorilla says:
Terrified? lol, that’s a bit extreme man. Terrified is usually reserved for extreme moment of fear like 9/11 or the Attack on Pearl Harbor, not replacement refs.