Officiating to the score vs. officiating the game?

[FlasherZ]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

I don't know of an official that would try to make a game closer with call selection. The odds of it happening are slim to none and slim is about out the door.

It doesn't take much of a change in play style to result in more or less fouls being called. It's a perception vs reality thing that is hard to see from the stands.

I was on the floor behind the basket with roughly the same view as the lead, so definitely not "from the stands" - and I don't believe the style of play changed, even subtly. I didn't have any investment in the game.

I have had some partners who bristled at me calling violations against a team that was down by 20+ points, as if it were "piling on" to call them. I guess it could be a subliminal, psychological thing for some; I don't know. This is one of those "softer" style things that doesn't seem to get much attention.