I had two interesting conversations during a game on Monday evening.
First, there was an offensive rebound, put back and foul. I report and see that the home coach has come to the edge of the box, a sure sign he wants to talk.
"Tony, how is that not over the back?"
"Coach, he's 6'9". I can't call a foul on him just because he's taller than your guys. If he pushes on a rebound, I'll get it."
"What if one of my players puts a butt into him?"
"As long as they don't ride him out of bounds like 52 did while ago, I've got no problem with it."
Second play, the 6'9" kid dunks, pulls up and hangs on the rim. Two whistles but I beat the C to the it. Whack! Visiting coach has gotten up, so I stay tableside and back down to him as he comes to the edge of the box.
"Tony, didn't his momentum cause him to do that?"
"Coach, he caught the ball in the paint and went straight up. He didn't have any momentum."
"But if he had let go, he would have fell."
"I can't help that coach. He put himself in that position. All he had to do was dunk and come down. He chose to do the chin up."
A little later, I completely miss one, made the call but didn't see the whoel play.
Same coach, "Man, I wish I had had you guys last Friday," in reference to a game he lost."
"Okay, I missed that one. I admit it."
He couldn't help but smile and that was it.
I don't mind talking with or listening to a coach who's willing to talk to me in the same manner he wants me to talk to him. That's cool. In fact, I kinda enjoy that type of interaction. Don't show me up and I won't show you up.
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"...as cool as the other side of the pillow." - Stuart Scott
"You should never be proud of doing the right thing." - Dean Smith
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