Quote:
Originally posted by Oz Referee
Do you believe that it is more difficult for an American referee to progress to International (ie FIBA) competitions than a referee that has learnt FIBA rules & mechanics from the ground up?
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I am not a ref, but this question seems fairly easy to me. It should make little difference to a ref that they did not start with FIBA rules and mechanics. In general, it is the same game. In the details, it is very different. But these differences exist between HS and college ball, and even more dramatically between college and pro in terms of mechanics, rules, and how you interpret the rules. Nobody starts out in the US reffing at the NBA level or under NBA rules. The best refs end up reaching the NBA and learn that method. Yes, there is an adjustment time, and you an see the difference between an experienced NBA ref and a rookie.
I am sure that any competent high level US ref could switch over to FIBA if they chose to and be as good as anyone at the international level. Top D1 college ball in the US is close to or above the level of most international league games. I don't want to sound parochial, because I do recognize the great strides that many countries have made in basketball. It is night and day from 20-30 years ago. But regardless of what you say about the world catching up, every pro league I know of outside of the US picks up NBA and CBA castoffs and puts them in the starting lineup every night. And many of the top intenational stars come to the NBA to play the best competition, to further develop their high level skills, and to make a little cash! That alone should tell you that no matter how close it looks, it isn't there yet in the rest of the world. And refs that can handle high level ball here can do it anywhere.