Caught the Rockets/Pacers game tonight. Best seats I've ever had, 5th row. Sitting so close for the first time, I noticed that each official had something attached to their waist. It looked like an oversized beeper, but I couldn't tell what it was. Can anyone help me out?

Precision Time. It stops the clock when the whistle is blown and allows the officials to manually start the clock, independently of the timer.

Are you implying that NBA Officials are wearing belts?

the belt of the pants! not an acutal belt. Shoot- NBA officials got rid of the belts LONG before NCAA and HS did.

I keep trying to go to an NBA game. and defintly not to see the players. A bit off topic I got invited to join an NBA evaluator at a Spurs game if I was in San Antonio. Right now I can't justify a weekend trip there. But I thought that was pretty cool. NBA officials are held under LOTS of observation. Even WNBA. They have 2-3 hour pregame meetings over LUNCH. Not to mention watch countless footage of other teams and officials. The NBA handles thier officiating crews much like the NFL does it seem.

Am I the only one that thinks these beepers would be useful in another 5 page thread on this board and others LOL :) have a happy holiday season everyone :)

Beepers are used to call their moms to come pick them up when they're done.

I would not attend an NBA game if you drove,paid for dinner, parking,concessions, and we sat on the team bench.

NBA basketball is a joke to the game in which the rules were written.

In SA!
 

ace,
I live in SA and would LOVE to attend a game and sit with an NBA evaluator. Hook me up!

I agree. Look at this stuff they do in the NBA.

1- The 3 point shot
2- The 3/10ths rule
3- The 30 second TO
4- The 3 man officiating system
5- The flex rotation
6- Limiting the number of players on the FT
7- V-neck shirts
8- Precision Time (Developed by a former NBA referee)
9- Red lights behind the backboards
10- Bouncing the ball on throw-ins

I hope none of this ever trickles down to high school ball. ;)

good one, I was talking about the style of play.

I think there is alot to learn from NBA refs. Nobody works harder than they do. They are constantly being evaluated and must work diligently on improving their skills.

The fact that they officiate a different game than what we see at the college and high school level does not take away from their ability. It's like the old adage that we hear on this board: do what your assignor wants. NBA officials DO what their assignors want.

If the NBA wants to play "street level" ball and ignor the basic rules of the game such as:

lets issue passports for as much traveling that goes on.

hockey clothing for all the pushing an shoving under the basket.

repelling ropes for all the hanging on the rims for no reason.

and on and on... This is all fine untill high school coaches and players feel that they should be able to play the same way. I think this is the point that CLAY is trying to make.

my point, thank you TSP.

Yeah but if you drove, paid for dinner, parking, concessions, and we sat on the team bench, I'd go. :)

IMHO, NBA officials are the best officials in the world period. Not only do they have to be almost perfect mechanically, if they kick a rule they have to write a check worth about 3 high school games. They work around 15 days a month but it is an all day job for them. They meet, work out, log on to their site to look at plays (mandatory), ref the game and then go over the game. I'm not happy all the time about how the game is played but it is entertainment. Millions and millions of dollars are involved with every game and we can't think for one minute that any Joe Blow could be the official for this. It is a tough game to call. For instance, there is no NBA player that can really stop another NBA player defensively. That alone makes thing interesting when you think about help defense, pass/crash, hand checking and block/charge situations. As far as traveling, well I agree they should do something about that. For the people that think Shaq should get called for charging consider the fact that if you called the game the way it was meant to be called he would probably shoot 40 free throws a game! Even at 50 percent that is a lot of points from the line. So a game plan could be give it to Shaq and Malone for the first two quarters and after all of the other team's big men foul out then Mr. Bryant and Mr. Payton could have there way. It wouldn't even matter at that point whether Shaq fouled out of the game. Would that be any fun to watch. More importantly, would someone pay $25 for a nose bleed seat to see the stars foul out? They have to charge so much so they can pay KG his money. Did you know he probably makes $400,000 every two weeks after taxes? That is some serious dough!

I would pay for a trip like that in a heartbeat. I have the upmost respect and admiration for the NBA refs.

For the longest time I said I wanted to officiate basketball and the NBA isnt basketball so I said I never want to officiate it. The more and more games I call the more and more I'm liking the sport. I get alot of critiques from older officials, some of whom have almost made it into the NBA. One even declined his invitation because his sons high school carrer was really starting to take off. I've learned quite a bit about what goes on in NBA officiating and I'd consider it an honor to join those ranks of one these days. I'm young enough to where I could pull it off I think :-D. even though I like to officiate womens basketball - i'd still would love to run out onto the floor 30 minutes before tip off infront of a sold out/packed Arena. You get that in college too... :sigh: I hope i can make it up the ranks one of these days.

While the traveling rule is almost the same as the NCAA/NF traveling rule, the NBA rules for establishing a pivot foot differ slightly (the "two-count" idea). The rule is called correctly, but it looks different from what most of us are used to calling.


The NBA has recognized that rough play had become a real problem around the league. In my opinion, they've worked very hard to clean up a lot of the banging that used to go on unchecked. I think the game has become more fun to watch in the last two or three seasons.

If there's no real danger to damaging the rims, then what's the problem with hanging on them? I agree that we don't want to see it in our games, but at that level, with that equipment and with the desire to be entertaining, I can see letting it go.

I was fortunate enough to go to camp this summer where a LOT of NBA officials were observers. Their insight and ability were unparalleled in my experience. If you don't like the game b/c of the way the rules are written, fine. But (again, in my opinion), you should not blame that on the job that the officials do.

I had the great fortune to work a minor pro league for a season, and believe me when I say that it was the most challenging level of ball I've ever participated in. Different from NCAA/Fed? Absolutely. But a GREAT experience. As always, just my opinion.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ChuckElias
[B]
While the traveling rule is almost the same as the NCAA/NF traveling rule, the NBA rules for establishing a pivot foot differ slightly (the "two-count" idea). The rule is called correctly, but it looks different from what most of us are used to calling.

------------------------------------------------------------

Chuck, Could you explain what is the difference in traveling.

Even so, many traveling infractions are still ignored.

I once saw Dominque Wilkins, trapped in a double team near the top of the key. He pivoted over and over, until he was standing in the center circle when a timeout was finally granted.

Hey, traveling is missed at all levels, I grant that. But it's not like the NBA is saying to ignore it. Hard to know what to say about your Dominique example from -- what? -- 10 yrs ago.

Not sure when he retired, but I still see examples of players taking 4 steps on spin and post moves to the basket. That's traveling, in any league. IMHO, it is ignored when a player is going to the basket.

Rule 10, Section XIV-Traveling
a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.

b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.
The first count occurs:
(1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it.
(2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it.
The second occurs:
(1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot.
e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot.

f. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player's hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
g. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.
h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.
i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.
PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

Chuck, he asked you to explain, not copy and paste. :D

I'll attempt to address some of it. I'll defer to Chuck to check behind me, since he's actually officiated these rules.

The NBA rule allows for a pivot in situations where the NFHS rule does not. It's associated more with where the feet are, as opposed to whether the land simultaneously or not.

It's not traveling to fall to the floor with the ball. It is traveling to catch your own airball.

Many of the other restrictions are the same. Lifting the pivot when starting a dribble is no different than the NFHS as I read it. This is probably the call that is not made the most often.

I have great respect for NBA officials. But they still ignore a lot of traveling, IMHO. I don't think I'm alone in that thinking.

Ok, I was hoping that the underlined sections would explain the "two-count". Tony's right about allowing a pivot in situations where NCAA and Fed would not. For example:

A1 catches the ball while airborne and lands on one foot. A1 then jumps off that foot and lands on both feet simultaneously.

In Fed rules, A1 may not pivot. A1 has no pivot foot. That's the "jump stop".

However, in the NBA, A1 would (probably<font color = red>*</font>) be allowed to pivot on either foot. In the above example, when A1 landed on one foot after catching the ball, that was his "count of one". When he then landed on both feet, that's his second count of the "two-count". The pivot is not established in the NBA until the second count; so A1 may still pivot. If his feet are "parallel" to the basket, then either foot can be his pivot. If one foot is closer to the basket, than only the rear foot can be the pivot.

<font color = red>*</font>(In reality, however, the player is usually allowed to use the forward foot.)

Is that better, Tony? :)

I heard that the NBA is looking for some Canadian officials. I'd apply, but i'm too young. Last I heard they pay $200,000 per year, anyone know if this is true??

Yes, much better! But I still don't think you'll traveling called if he pivots on the wrong foot after a jump stop.

;)


Ah, no, I don't think so. Unless things have changed, they're paid based on their years in the league. While the top dawgs make very good money, rookies do not start at $200K. I'm not sure the vets even make that. In fact, I doubt it seriously.

Well even if their not bringing in $200k i think its a pretty good way to make a living doing what you love. Does anyone know what a D1 Mens Official makes per game??

Major conferences can make over $1000 a game (Big Ten, Pac-10, Big 12). Some of the smaller conferences or Mid-Majors, might make around $600-$800. And that fee has travel and lodging included. It is not a flat salary, it depends on how many games you do or are assigned. And it is the same for all (without the travel considerations).

Peace

Wow!!! I think university level ball in my area makes $85 per game.

Starting is around $100,000 per year, but that is after getting accepted into the NBA. The NBDL pays about $250 per game.

D

I was told that the highest paid official in the NBA makes close to $300,000 per year. Also add in the playoffs. I heard they make $75,000 if they make it all the way to the finals and they give the officials who don't make the playoffs $15,000. They have perks also like two uniforms a year, jackets which change almost every year, a laptop ( I think this is accurate, they used to get a video playback device to look at plays), a traveling bag, first-class tickets (can be traded for coach but you must claim) and $295 a day per diem. That is pretty good. One thing I don't know, what are they required to do/where are they required to be during the off season?

I agree, which is why I added the "asterick" to my post. But this isn't as big a conspiracy as one might think. Nowadays in college, they also use the "two-count" a LOT when they shouldn't. (By "they", I mean D1 guys on TV.)

If A1 catches the ball in the air and then lands on his left foot followed quickly by his right foot, almost NOBODY calls a travel when A1 pivots on his right foot. Even tho, by NCAA (and Fed) rules, the left foot is the pivot foot in that situation.

So yes, NBA officials may allow a player to pivot off either foot when they really shouldn't; but that happens at every level.

Denny is very close on the starting salary, and Tommy is very close on the "benefits".

I agree with Clay. I would not go to an NBA game. Even for free, I have no desire to watch druggie pseudo-athletes who can't shoot a jump shot, speak the English language or play defense anymore. Also, the rules are a joke. If you ever think that pro athletes are overpaid and want to do something about it, then don't watch or attend. I don't blame them for taking the money that we so willingly give them. We pay teachers 25K and our school builings are crumbling, yet we build 250 million dollar stadiums and pay these illiterate druggies millions. But........ that's America's priorities these days.

end of rant

Forksref,

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!

Forks, you related to John Rocker, by any chance? Jeez, could you possibly squeeze in another stereotype?

Don't insult 370 athletes, based solely on the Trailblazer's roster! :D

You mean not all NBA players are like ours?!? I saw better shooting at our girls' Christmas tourney!

Wow, that is harsh. All of the players in the NBA aren't like that. What if someone held you back because of the way you talk or look or you're not squeaky clean. Just a thought.

I also think Kobe is innocent!

Let's not go there!!!! :p


Maybe it's time for our annual tax post. I nominate this as the first piece of advice.

I am wondering do you say that about Baseball players, who many never attended any college at all? I realize that there are many NBA players that leave early and do not graduate, but most attended someone's university. But I did not see any comments about MLB, which towns have done the very same thing, but no drug and illiterate references. I wonder why? You know why? :rolleyes:

Peace

JR

My comments can certainly be applied to any pro sport. Glad that you recognize the universal problem. I didn't mention MLB because this is a basketball forum. As for baseball, I don't think any home run records (post-Aaron) have any credibility due to steroid use. You know, drugs? MLB is just now starting to address the problem. So their records are a joke.