[JRutledge]

Originally posted by IrvKostal


I suspect that all the worrying about conspiracies and favoritism for the stars is much ado about very little, but a more serious matter, IMHO, is the disconnect between the fans, the refs and the league as to just what constitues a foul. The charging/blocking foul is a major example of this disconnect. This one everyone sees the way they WANT to see it, and there's almost no such thing as a charging/blocking foul call that doesn't draw a complaint from someone.It would help greatly if the NBA would come up with some definitions here that most of us could understand.

There already is a definition of all this, it is in the rulebook. And what I understand about the NBA Rulebook, that is not a problem for most officials. But fans (which I am thinking you are) never read basic rules and you only listen to commentators that would not know a rulebook definition if it slapped them in the face. It is already clearly defined. And basically it is the same from the High School Level to the NBA level. The main difference is that the NBA has a circle under the basket. And there are specific rules that cover how that is to be handled. Do not know whatelse can be done on this one.

Originally posted by IrvKostal


There are other issues. I think a rules change is called for in the definition of, and penalty for, an intentional foul. When I see a defender wrap his arms around a player, pinning his arms to his sides, I see that as an intentional foul. The defender is NOT making a "basketball play." He's not trying to block a shot or intercept a pass, or get a rebound, etc. When Don Nelson trots out his Hack-a-whoever "defense" it's impossible to argue that this makes the game more enjoyable to watch. I believe fouls committed "on purpose", i.e., when not trying to accomplish some reasonable defensive purpose, should result in a foul shot AND possesion of the ball, just like the flagrant foul does.

There is already rules that cover this. The problem is (fans) have no clue they are being called. The NBA has a Flagrant Foul call that is like an Intentional Foul at the lower levels. But then again I am not at all an NBA expert on the specific rules differences here. So there are already rules that cover what you suggest. No need for a change.

Originally posted by IrvKostal

Yet another issue that disturbs me is the remark I hear, so often, that the players need to adjust to how the game is being called by the referees. This is absurd! A foul is (or should be) a foul, and the referees should call fouls the same way, game after game.

This comment suggest more and more to me that you are just a fan. You obviously have not real understanding of what judgment is and how it is applied. For one, it is difficult to have 3 set of officials call a game the exact same, then the next night have another set of official call the game the exact same, then then next night do the same as the first group. Sorry, it does not work that way. And teams do not play the same against one team as they do against another team. For example, you are not going to play the Lakers the same as you do the Mavericks. So just when it comes to matchups, each game is going to be completely different. Kind of hard to call fouls the same when one team is shooting 3s and outside shots all night, then the next night they are going to the cup. For one, you might have each team take a different approach to how they are going to defend a certain team. So the type of contact is not going to be the same. Hell the talent is not going to be the same. So it would be impossible to call the game the exact same, as it is for an umpire to call the same strike zone with different pitchers. Better yet all officials do not have the same strengths and weaknesses as officials, so to do what you suggest is to hope that officials can be cloned into the same thinking official. Sorry, that is not going to happen.

Originally posted by IrvKostal

Otherwise, we have the refs sometimes determining who will be the winner of game. If a physical team is being "allowed" to be physical, they're going to have an enormous advantage. If a finesse team is getting every little ticky-tack foul called, they will have the edge.

Well when a player just plays one way I would agree with you. But one thing you obviously do not understand about officiating is the fact that every player does not play the same. When Jordan was at his peak, one night he might go to the hoop or other nights he might settle for jumpshots. And because of that fact, teams would try many differnet things to stop him. Sometimes they might double team him up top, other times they would wait for him to drive. And for an official, the contact might only take place in a certain area with Jordan or Iverson for example. Then the next night the next team (with different talent I might add) might defend an entirely different way to stop those superstars. You are not going to attack the middle with a Shaq as you would with a Dallas defense that hardly puts a body on anyone going to the hole. So who do you suggest that every game is called the same way? If you think it happens by osmosis it does not. And being an official in 3 sports myself, it can be very difficult to just call the game the exact same without consideration of the different talent you see one night and the next night you see a different style of play all together. Not as easy as you suggest.

Originally posted by IrvKostal

Why is it that the refs have this much discretion? I want the players to determine the pace and flow of the game, not to mention the end result.

Why, because that is just the way it is. I would assume anyone that is in a decision making position of any kind, is going to make decisions based on the many different factors that are placed in front of them. Officiating is not an exact science and the rulebook is just a guide to help making any call. But even with that being said, it takes some experience (which all officials do not have the same level of that), judgment, the play at hand and sometimes even the players involved. If it was that easy, then it might be done. But with all the personalities, the styles of play, the types of players and the types of official, what you suggest is impossible. I have never seen a player shot the exact same percentage from one night to the next, kind of hard to expect the same from officials no matter how good they are.

Originally posted by IrvKostal

So I'm wondering how others feel about these issues. I think, as things stand, these problems are hurting the game.

I would guess you have been watching too much SportsCenter and other sports highlight shows that critiques officiating and they do not have a clue what is going on. I admit that as a HS and College official, from time to time and see things that do not make since to me when I watch the NBA. But I do also know that NBA Officials are evaluated by the league every game and every call. The problem is that the average person does not have any real understanding of what is going on, mainly because you have never picked up a rulebook and have never put on the whistle yourself. Officiating is not at all easy. It can be damn right hard. Especially when half the fans like your calls, then the other have cannot stand you call, all based on who they are cheering for. And we get paid regardless of who wins or not.

Peace