[jmkbball]

My company has season tickets courtside for the SA Spurs. I saw my first game of the season last night for the tix are normally used by clients.

In sitting down before game, a friend walked up who works for one of the teams. He's been around the game and the NBA for a while.

He recalled a time when the league was near death and explained how the league took control of the rules with the goal of generating fan interest. Less traveling, 3 second and offensive foul calls generally mean higher scoring games and that is alledgedly important to the game -- listen to any talking airhead on sports radio / tv.


While last night's game was exciting, i found myself watching the officiating crew work and talking with the team official about calls.

Last night's crew had excellent mechanics and Dick Bavetta succeeded in keeping the game exciting for the league.

Yet, he once shouted down a coach saying "that's not my primary", only to make a call a few minutes later which resulted in every single person/player/coach on the floor asking each other why he'd go out of his area to make (what turned out to be) a mistaken call across the floor.

My friend explained that every team worries about the inconsistency of officiating in the league due to 'thinking too much' (although he agreed that the mechanics are good).
However, the argument used by the league is that everyone's livelihood is at stake as long as fans find the game exciting.
He laughed and said the league will eventually do away with fouls for certain players and just give 2-minute minors.