Quote:
Originally posted by Mark Padgett
BTW - speaking of areas, I did 4 games this past weekend with Juulie (rainmaker) and we only had one double whistle, and that was on a travel where the ball handler was moving from one area into the other. That's the way it's supposed to be.
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Mark -- Thanks for the compliment. Off-ball is something I've worked really hard on, and I appreciate you noticing. Incidentally, Slorey was quick to notice and compliment the same thing. I feel ten feet high.
On the subject of areas, and blown calls, I saw a real lulu in the WNBA game I was at this week. I have to say, that I thought the refs did a fantastic job. I didn't have any criticism at all, and they handled the player emotions really well, and the coaches. But there was a missed call that was one of Mark's OHMYGOSHs. In fact, the entire Coliseum gasped. The dribbler was in the center of the pack heading up court and the last offense player (I can't call her an "offender"!) was trying to hold off the defense. She set a good screen, and the fourth defender stepped around but the last defender didn't see the screen until it was too late and WOW! They both hit the deck! I saw the impact coming and glanced at both trail and center, but THEY WERE BOTH LOOKING DOWNCOURT toward the ball. I know the action -- it's very easy to ignore that last player or two behind you when the action is fast and furious. Unfortunately, the screen was a home team player so the reaction was huge -- and emotional. (I'm not going to put this onto McGriff's -- I don't want to hear what JF has to say!)
Here's the lesson: Even the most experienced, confident and capable refs do occasionally make mistakes -- even big ones. They did the right thing and shook it off and moved on. But I'm glad I wasn't at the film meeting the next day!!