Are refs and coaches too buddy-buddy? Some say yes.....

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I don't officiate in the NBA or the WNBA (but have friends that officiate in both leagues) but as a high school and college official I do believe that the relationship between coaches and officials at the college level is different than at the high school level. At the college level officials see coaches multiple times over a season and over seasons as well and it is a relationship between professionals. And it is my opinion that the relationship between NBA/WNBA coaches and officials are of the professional type of relationship.

At the high school level it is my learned opinion that too many coaches are not capable of having a professional relationship with an official. Far too many high school coaches have no clue of the rules and mechanics and treat officials terrible. I can go on and on about high school coaches but I think most of us understand what I mean.

MTD, Sr.

[truerookie]

It is my belief all working relationships outside of your personal home should remain professional. The concern is not the officials it's the individuals.

[BillyMac]

People only see what they are prepared to see. Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

Reality doesn't bite, rather our perception of reality bites. Anthony J. D'Angelo

There is no truth. There is only perception. Gustave Flaubert

Reality is what we take to be true.
What we take to be true is what we believe.
What we believe is based upon our perceptions.
What we perceive depends upon what we look for.
What we look for depends upon what we think.
What we think depends upon what we perceive.
What we perceive determines what we believe.
What we believe determines what we take to be true.
What we take to be true is our reality. Gary Zukav

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. Henri Bergson

I don't care how careful one is to separate a personal relationship with a coach, from a professional relationship with a coach, it's all about perception, and an official can't control what other people perceive that relationship to be.

I'm not saying that it's impossible to have a personal relationship with a coach, after all, both coaches and officials have a common bond, a love of basketball. All I'm saying is, as Sgt. Esterhaus, on Hill Street Blues, used to say, "Let's be careful out there".

[JRutledge]

When you work games of coaches for years and sometimes come up together with those coaches, it is not usual for coaches and officials to have a relationship with each other. And we all know that coaches are often nice to use in the off-season because they think we are going to give them something when the season starts. I just came back from a camp where coaches were present from all over the country and they knew many of the clinicians because they had worked their games as players, assistants and head coaches.

This is not usual or unprofessional.

Peace

[canuckrefguy]

Just saw that ESPN story with Jake O'Donnell, Mike Mathis, etc.

Boy did they rip Dick Bavetta something fierce.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

Just saw that ESPN story with Jake O'Donnell, Mike Mathis, etc.

Boy did they rip Dick Bavetta something fierce.

DETAILS!!!