Juules,
I think playing in the League does give them a certain edge.
They understand more about the way NBA basketball is played and therefore what needs to be called and what doesn't.
On the other hand, just being a player doesn't guarantee success. I attended Coast to Coast Referee School a few years back and Gerald Henderson (Boston Celtics) was giving it a go. Apparently he figured out it wasn't for him.
One other factor to the negative. This summer at Camp, a story was told about Leon Wood. Basically that because he was an NBA player and he still played in pick-up games,
his growth had plateaued, because he was thinking like a player when he refereed. I don't think Leon plays pick up ball anymore!
Eli,
any thoughts on the subject?