[bleurose]

As an "old-time" official (back to the 80s), I believe this isn't a myth (as in something that was never true but has taken on an aura of truth because people simply keep repeating it) but rather something that at one time WAS true and has since been changed. I distinctly recall several situations back in the 80s when throw-ins were administered either at the division line (other than if the violation was near the division line or in the case of a T or starting a period) or the free-throw line extended (I think that free-thrown violations were administrered from the free-throw line extended for the longest time until about the early 90s).

What I used to see happen back then was old-time officials would simply refuse to go along with the new rules (back then, officials organizations didn't have as much sway over their officials, at least in the case of my organizations) and so the old rules were continued until enough people made a stink and everyone finally moved on.

On the one hand, I have always found some of the rule changes and mechanics changes a bit of a pain in the butt and often failed to see the real need for them, but as they say, "resistance is futile" LOL. And sometimes, the rule changes do make sense (and make for a better game) although one change that I do NOT like is the new one with respect to trail administration of a free-throw from the table side of the court instead of opposite the table side.

This one particularly bugs me, not so much because of the need to now be close to the coach (I am fine having that "under the radar" chat with a coach after a foul call) but rather because it takes the trail official away from being able to see the bench clearly and be aware of what is happening when players are entering the court or reporting. The lead has enough to do at the end line to administer the free throw and this mechanic change means that the official has to look away at times (NEVER a good thing to do in a heated basketball game) in order to be able to see what is going on.

This is a GREAT mechanic for 3-person crews because there is another official who can look AT the table area, but in 2-person crews, I think this will cause more problems than it solves. Then again, I could be wrong.