[Brian Watson]

I call the game the way I see it. When I have a coach telling me the foul count is 9-2 or some other ridiculous number, it makes me laugh. Apparently he thinks I did it on purpose, but I know it is just how the game went. If you insist on being logical, and not have us attack your precious, mysterious cred, then let’s look at stats. Anyone who has ever worked with the stupid things knows they are the easiest item in the world to manipulate, yet everyone takes them for gospel.

Let’s look at a fictional example of Player A, and two separate newspapers, one from each city. Player A averages 25 points a game, shoots 60% from the floor, and 80% from the line. He runs into team B and has a terrible night. He shoots 4-14 from the field and 10-12 from the line. All told his states reflect that he scored 18 points with just under 30% from the floor and just over 80% from the line.

Now how do you look at these stats? Most people immediately jump to the conclusion that Player A had an off night. He was ice cold, injured, stayed out late at the hoochie bar, or some other cosmic occurrence prevented him from performing up to him average. This is how newspaper A reports the story.

But if you really look at the stats, could there be another explanation? Player A hit better than his average from the line (with no one in his face). If he was having an “off” night wouldn’t this stat have suffered as well? You see, could it actually be possible that Team B played great defense and just shut down Player A? That would be how newspaper B reports the story.

Same, stats two different stories. What if these were stats for refs? If I call 10 more fouls on a team is the game fixed, did that team actually commit more fouls, or did they foul near the end to stop the clock? There could be three stories in that stat, most would be wrong.

Just like the kids' attitude, what happens in the NBA will filter down to the HS level; like it, or not. If we do this in the NBA, it will happen for HS, and that would be wrong. If you truly are an official, then you know what it is like to have ignorant parents giving you an earful when you’re trying to administer a throw in. Or yelling for the infamous reach or over – the – back.

The point is, we are trained, spend many hours learning, attend multiple meetings every year, and pass tests to prove we belong on the floor. No one else has to do that. While I respect the fact most people think their $2 buys them the right to yell at the top of their lungs, we officials are above reproach. We owe no one an explanation, unless the state association wants to know what went down during a game. We are the only ones on the floor who actually know the rules, and keep up with the changes. Most parents and coaches only know what they were taught 15-20 years ago, or what they overhear someone else talking about. If you publish this garbage you will just throw gas on the fire of ignorance. If you are an official then you know you are not a “homer”, and that you are the one who hurts the worst after you blow a call. It happens, we are human, and my stomach is usually in a knot for a day or two after it happens. I feel the worst because I let the teams down. I don’t need the Sunday paper to tell me what kind of job I’m doing. I know, what kind of job I’m doing because I am a referee, and I am damn proud to say that.