[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by ODog

Not speaking to your instance in particular, but unless the shot-clock operator is amazing (and at the HS level or below, that's a toss up at best, getting worse as the level drops), you cannot use the shot clock as any sort of barometer for a 10-second call, nor should you.

I certainly agree that the clock is not THE barometer -- in this case, the shot clock was consistent with my perception that it was not 10 and with other quick counts. (''Twas against the other team, btw.)

Originally Posted by ODog

Again, not speaking to your example in particular, since these are HTBT situations, but the "attitudes" of the players (casual, leisurely, etc.) are never relevant when it comes to violations. Hell, if LGP was established and the defender remained within 6 feet, both players could turn their backs to each other in indifference and 5 seconds could still be called.

Something else that's never relevant: What "everyone else in the gym" thinks. This is probably why more and more coaches, fans and parents are reportedly losing their minds on a regular basis. Because their views on all calls/non-calls are always irrelevant, more often than not invalid and absolutely never taken into consideration.

Thanks for the lecture, I really didn't know that refs don't make calls based on what fans think. Glad you could clarify. I didn't think it was within 6 ft -- but it would have been a non event in my mind if it weren't for the collection of seemingly quick counts. (Whether they are technically core t or. It, I don't recall seeing a five second call made in favor of a passive defender at five and a half feet before.)

Originally Posted by ODog

Of course. We're in agreement on all fronts. And I'm also agreeing with the speculation that the officials in So Cal's post likely were inexperienced and/or trigger happy.

But his post seems to come from a fan's perspective, with a fan's concept of the rules, so it's only fair someone stands up for these boor bastards () and plays devil's advocate.

Undoubtedly I have a fan's perspective -- as I said, it was my son's game. But I won't agree to fan's perspective of the rules, which I think would be obvious from my posts in general. The reason I come here isn't to trash refs, but because I like knowing the actual rules (though I have to be judicious about explaining the, other parents around me). I reffed BB (untrained except for reading the rule book) for middle school games in my youth, and may do it when my kid graduates -- currently I only do soccer and my marriage can't handle another sport, too....

The backcourt count was also in favor of my son's team. When I muttered "that wasn't 10 seconds, but we'll take it" while the other parents were cheering, a dad "explained" to me that the 10 second count starts before the shot clock (this was after a made basket) because it starts while the player is still throwing in the ball.