[MN BB Ref]

I've been a very frequent visitor and a not so frequent poster here for the past three years. In that time I've gleaned many tips and tricks that I've added to my officiating toolkit and I know that I'm a better official for having been here and having had the opportunity to share in the experiences that you've all had. For that I am very grateful.

However this isn't one of those moments where I feel proud to be part of this group. In re-reading this thread a few times, I feel that LoudBottom came in here asking a very legitimate question in a very respectful way. Instead of responding in kind, many of our members have resorted to insults and been generally mean. I realize that you feel that you should be protected here because this is "The Official Forum". However your negative responses did nothing to improve the image of officials with the general public. Instead we come off as being thin-skinned and beyond reproach. Thats an image I'd rather not have associated with me or my profession.

In response to LoudBottom, I understand what you are asking and I can understand why you may feel that way. I uphold the belief that most (99.999%) of officials are completely impartial and would never want to be part of any "fix" in a game. I think in the case of the officials that you mentioned, they probably call a game that is counter-productive to the type of game that Detroit tries to play. Officials sometimes do have their eyes open for certain things and will be more apt to call it than another official. The other officials on here are welcome to disagree with me, but I've worked with way too many officials to dispute this with me. Because of this, their officiating may hinder the play of certain teams even though the officials are 100% ethical in their duties and administration. Perhaps this is the case with Larry Brown's team.

As for an official deliberately calling things against Detroit in order to influence the game's outcome, it is possible, but like so many of you have stated previously, it is highly unlikely this is the case because it would be career suicide. With all the work and luck that it takes to make it to the NBA, I would never risk throwing this away by being partisan...EVER. Have I been tempted to whack a coach sooner than usual because he rubs me wrong, or a player because of their attitude...sure. Have I done it? I don't think so.

Hopefully in the future when we get a "fan" in our midst that questions the possibility of impropriety we are able to take a little bit of a step back and answer them with the same dignity we show on the court. If they do become unruly and rude, lets let the moderator and or administrator take care of them instead of dishing out our own form of vigilante justice.

Just my two cents worth...for what its worth. Thanks for listening/reading.