[stripes]

Originally posted by Love2ref4Ever
Bktballref, and Stripes you guys are allright. you helped me take another look at this matter, and I hope you guys have also taken another look. Stripes, Sandy may not have had the NBA look, but neither does everyone officiating in the league. Also Bktballref, the term "diamond in the rough" was given to me by one of the persons who gets "paid" handsomely to travel around the country for the NBA and look for new officials.And as far as a "code of silence" is concerned the NBA has very strick rules for there officials. There are some things that are forbidden and unless one of these officials shares this information with you, you mwy never know.Trust me on this one though, it does exist!

Originally posted by Stripes
Remember that the NBA is very image conscience. All of the officials they hire now fit a certain body type--broad shoulders, small waist, tight butt, etc.--very athletic look (BTW, Ms. Katner and Ms. Pamer fit this "look"). Ms. Ortiz DeValle, however, did not meet this at all. I remember seeing her photo (in USBL uniform in the newspaper) and thinking that she must be kidding herself if she thought the NBA would be serious about her, based on physical appearance only.

The key words in my post were "All of the officials they hire now". Certainly there are officials on the staff who do not fit the criteria, but that cannot be said of the new officials.

I am not sure what you want me to take another look at. As far as I am concerned, the NBA, as a business, should be able to hire the most qualified individuals to work for them without regards to any outside source giving them a standard or criteria to uphold. Business should be able to decide for itself what is best for its long term (and short term) concern. The NBA has way too much money at stake to make a string of poor business decisons--that includes staffing. They will hire or fire in their best interest. As I have no desire to work professional basketball, it doesn't affect me in any form.