[JRutledge]

I make a huge effort to not give a T at all. If I can handle the situation without resorting to that, I try to do that. It might not be everyone's way, but that is the way I look at it.

I look at Ts for the most part as failures. If I had to give one, it is because I did not do something. At least that is how I feel.

Tonite, I had a game that had a supposed stud on the visiting team. I guess everyone treats him like he is a superstar, but "I am not the one" as they say. So Mr. Superstar thinks he can say anything in any tone to me or my partners. Well I confront the kid and basically tell him that he needs to show some respect, and what he is complaining about is not going to be tolerated. Well, I was trying to give him a break instead of just giving a T for something that could be handled by the coach.

So the first opportunity I go to his coach and say this. "I will say this to you and say this to you once, number 23 is a child the last time I checked, and he will show me respect if he wants to still be on the floor. Now I am telling you this so you can handle it. If you cannot, then I will."

The coach agreed and we had no other incident the rest of the game.

Now in my opinion, if I did not give the coach the opportunity to handle it, it would have been precieved as I was picking on him or that I had a short fuse. But I wanted the coach to be givin a chance to handle it, and in the end he did.

Now I realize that everyone does not agree with this, but I feel like the coach cannot say that I gave him an opportunity to teach his kids. At least that is what many of them complain that officials do not do around here.

Any thoughts?

BTW, I am talking about conduct Ts, not just Ts that have to do with the book or anything that is obvious that cannot be ignored like 6 players on the court or reaching thru the plane and touching a player. That is not what I am talking about here.

Peace