[Bad Zebra]

Pros:
- Supposedly forces you to slow down and think before you blow
- It looks smooth and professional (according to those who go without)

Cons:
- Spitting it across the floor while trying to learn, thus looking like a doofus.
- Figuring out what to do with it when reporting, thus looking like a doofus.

I don't aspire to work NBA games nor look like them. I think it's ridiculous to go without one. The lanyard is probably the most functional piece of equipment we use, right after the pea-less whistle. It's just one more thing to have to worry about getting right when there's already a half dozen other things to worry about. I've tried going without a couple times and found it incredibly frustrating. Life (and my officiating career) is too short to add this to the mix.