Jordan's 63 pt game - Game 2 of 1st round 1986 Eastern Conference Playoffs

[jdw3018]

I believe '88-'89 was the permanent switch to 3-man.

The NBA also used 3-man officiating for one year in 1978-79, but tossed it after that year. It was a strange experiment where the 3rd official was limited to only making certain calls. I don't believe there was any rotation or switching with the 3rd official - he was in one spot on the court the entire game. I wish I could remember what he was allowed to call, but I can't. I'll look for it.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

I believe '88-'89 was the permanent switch to 3-man.

The NBA also used 3-man officiating for one year in 1978-79, but tossed it after that year. It was a strange experiment where the 3rd official was limited to only making certain calls. I don't believe there was any rotation or switching with the 3rd official - he was in one spot on the court the entire game. I wish I could remember what he was allowed to call, but I can't. I'll look for it.

This explains what I saw in a replay of a game from the '79 Finals (Bullets/Sonics).

The "Slot" official never changed positions. He was always the "C" and always opposite the table. The lead would rotate to his side sometimes in the front court but the 'C' stayed put and the lead always went back tableside in transition as the new trail.

The lead and trail were the only ones to switch on fouls.

[Cajun Reff]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

This explains what I saw in a replay of a game from the '79 Finals (Bullets/Sonics).

The "Slot" official never changed positions. He was always the "C" and always opposite the table. The lead would rotate to his side sometimes in the front court but the 'C' stayed put and the lead always went back tableside in transition as the new trail.

The lead and trail were the only ones to switch on fouls.

wow, this would be great for the guy who got the C on any given night. he would only have to run about 50 feet all game long and never switch.

Sign me up for that job

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

This explains what I saw in a replay of a game from the '79 Finals (Bullets/Sonics).

The "Slot" official never changed positions. He was always the "C" and always opposite the table. The lead would rotate to his side sometimes in the front court but the 'C' stayed put and the lead always went back tableside in transition as the new trail.

The lead and trail were the only ones to switch on fouls.

Yep. I really wish I could find where I read about the limits on what the slot could call. Hmmm...

[jdw3018]

Found one quote. This is from Earl Strom's "Calling the Shots", so it's nothing official, but it quotes, "The third man could only call things like three-second violations, out-of-bounds plays, and goaltending, and so..."

[loners4me]

Tuesday night and nothing on TV...come on, what about American Idol? Randy, Paula and Simon are quality programming.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

Found one quote. This is from Earl Strom's "Calling the Shots", so it's nothing official, but it quotes, "The third man could only call things like three-second violations, out-of-bounds plays, and goaltending, and so..."

Earl is my idol (no reference to that stupid show in the post above) and in his book he also mentions that one year, the league (on the recommendation of coaches) had him and Mendy Rudolph work every game of the finals.

Amazing.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Earl is my idol (no reference to that stupid show in the post above) and in his book he also mentions that one year, the league (on the recommendation of coaches) had him and Mendy Rudolph work every game of the finals.

Amazing.

No props to Sid Borgia????

[tomegun]

If I'm not mistaken, the pro 2-man mechanic is different than the normal 2-man mechanics. The officials always officiate to the left of the ball, but the lead does go strong side. That may be why you saw an official running across the court in transition.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The "Slot" official never changed positions. He was always the "C" and always opposite the table. The lead would rotate to his side sometimes in the front court but the 'C' stayed put and the lead always went back tableside in transition as the new trail.

The lead and trail were the only ones to switch on fouls.

I flew to Barrow, Alaska a few weeks ago and was working a game one night with a couple guys that hadn't worked much 3-man before. During our pre-game, one of them spoke up and basically said, we like to have the C be on the far side of the court so that you're not standing there with your @$$ in the coaches face. He was totally serious. Needless to say, we had a serious discussion about rotating and switching based on where the ball/players were on the court, NOT to avoid standing in front of the coach.