You got to know the rules...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

The players do determine the outcome of a game. They commit the violations and fouls. The officials just call those violations and fouls. If they don't call 'em, then they aren't violations or fouls.
"Let the players decide the outcome of the game" is a phrase used by coaches and fanboys. Translated, it means "don't call anything on my team, just my opponents".

Amen.

Officials do not make calls that decide the outcome of a game. Players commit fouls and violations; officials view those infractions, judge the action, and then apply the rules of the game to what they had viewed. The rules then determine the penalty. Officials are on the court to be the only unbiased arbiters of the game. Officials are not concerned with who wins or loses, but only fairness and safety. Everyone else in that gym cares about winning, and therefore cannot look at the game objectively.