[theboys]

I'm a virgin - be gentle.

Before I ask my question, I have to admit, I've been a voyeur on this site for a couple of months. I have learned an incredible amount, and am, hopefully on my way to recovery from howler monkeydom. I hope I'm at least only a growler monkey now.

Anyway, my question is, and I mean it in all sincerity, have you as an official ever looked back on a close game, and felt like you cost a team a victory with a call or no-call. I mean, players look back at a single moment and consider themselves a goat or a hero based on one play (Horry v. Divac on Horry's 3), even though its never true that one "incident" can cause a victory or loss. I just wonder if officials feel that way.

And, please don't take this in an accusatory manner. Although I've disagreed with officials in the past (and wrongly most of the time!), I like to think I've never blamed a loss or been given a win by officiating. Trust me, I know players and coaches make a lot more mistakes than officials.