[williebfree]

I understand your "ruminations" of intent, but I think that the "timing" of when a team decides to use a TO is not our concern as an official.

The reality is that each team is allocated three 60 second (Full) time-outs and two 30 seconds time-outs for use at their discretion. Would you argue that a team that ends the game with unused TOs as an unintended dis-advantage?
As officials, we should not concern ourselves with the timing of their use.

Your statement: "Granting the time-out in these situations seems similiar to a boxer being saved by the bell. Some like the rule and use it, while others detest and have expressly prohibited it." sums up the reality that there are two distinct schools of thought on this issue.


Bottom line: My stance on this issue is that if a team has the unique opportunity (and opts) to request a TO simply "to prevent an imminent turnover" in 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 different situations throughout the game; so be it.

P.S. An additional thought: Is it in the intent of the game for a team to continue a full-court press when they are up by 48 points with 17 seconds left. (Occurred in a game I recently officiated.)

[Edited by williebfree on Jan 2nd, 2003 at 09:11 AM]