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Originally Posted by ajmc
Don't know about the NBA, or the so-called validity of the "studies" you reference, but to suggest there is some sort of preference given to the "home team" in any sport requires that there be a deliberate attempt, on the part of game officials, to favor one team over another.
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Wrong. No, it doesn't require a deliberate attempt of any of that you suggest. People are humans, and as such are suspect subconscious actions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajmc
That would also suggest that there be some level of expectation, and associated pressure exerted by each "home team" to receive some level of preferential treatment, as well as an acceptance of such behavior by, whatever league or conference, was managing the contest.
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Wrong. I bet every coach that I know well enough to initiate this conversation with would say without a doubt that they DO NOT WANT preferential treatment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajmc
Those, with actual officiating experience, understand that responding to game situations under game conditions is largely an instinctive reaction to what is observed based on repetitive training that to a large degree blanks out sounds and circumstances aside from the focus of attention. Other than mentally confirming what has been seen, or not seen, there is not a lot of analysis of which team, other than differentiating between offense and defense, is doing what.
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I will agree that more experienced officials will not be affected by teams. In other words, I do agree that part of the growing process an official goes through is to be consistent and that it's plausible that some officials will lean towards not throwing a flag against a team when on that sideline.
Off the cuff comments by sideline observers, who have a distinct interest on decisions that are made during a contest, have the same level of validity as comments directed at a hammer, made by a carpenter who has just smashed his finger afixing a nail.[/QUOTE]
Cute analogy and I agree re: the validity you mention surrounding this claim, but since the hammer doesn't have free will, and humans do, these off the cuff comments are not 100% ineffective.