Quote:
Originally Posted by All_Heart
It usually isn't to difficult to get the game clock when a team first gains control. I work hard to check the game clock right when they gain team control (or when the ball is touched during a throw-in) in order to have a number in my head that I can use to fix the shot clock if it is accidentally reset when it shouldn't have been.
Or in this case lets say that I checked and the game clock was at 40.5 when they gained possession then I know that I can put 5.5 on the game clock if the team still has control when the shot clock expires and the game clock shows anything but 5.5. You could also go to play-by-play for information if for some reason you didn't get the game clock time at initial possession.
You could also check to see if someone at the table could write down the game clock (when you are under 2 minutes) every time the shot clock is set or reset. This way you have information that you could use as a backup to your memory  |
(Noting that we're talking about a difference of fractions of a second when the end of the game is near and the shot clock expires just before the game clock does expire or nearly expires.)
You're still left with your judgement of control vs. the shot-clock operator. The two of you could be off just a little...especially on a turnover or rebound. I'd say that if you're within a second or less at the end, the clock is probably not incorrect....just a difference in judgement. I'd only make a change if is obvious that they didn't operate it correctly.
Also consider that the shot clock operator only has to push a buton when they want to reset the clock upon seeing a team gain control (ignoring the the throwin case since it is the easy case). You, on the other hand, have to see at two events, the team gaining possession and the game clock. Your synchronization of the two events is likely to have more inaccuracy than the shot clock operator.