Quote:
Originally posted by 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.
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I'll admit I've missed a few. I'll even admit that
there might be one or two I might call differently if given
a second chance that occured during a critical point in a
game. But I truly do not think that I ever cost a team a
game. As you say, there are many variables to consider,
and it's just too easy to blame a loss on one missed free
throw or missed call. However, there is such a thing
as "stepping up" when the pressure's on, and for a referee
that means to stay cool, increase your focus & keep calling
the same game you've been calling all along.