NBA Officiating Seems Different This Season

[cdaref]

Is it just me, or are the refs in the NBA actually calling it more by the book this year?

Seriously.

Its early, I know. But it seems to me that the calls they usually pass on are getting called and there seem to be fewer cheesy star treatment calls. And they actually are calling stuff at the end of the game.

Maybe its just me. Or maybe that new head of officiating is changing the culture of NBA officiating.

Please dont misconstrue this post. I have always had tons of respect for NBA officials. I couldnt imagine trying to ref Shaq or the athletes at that level. But to me the NBA has always had a larger dose of "entertainment" as part of the officiating philosophy--no travels or 3 seconds because it just slows down the game, reward the stars for touch fouls, and swallow the whistle in the final seconds.

This year seems much different to me. I noticed it after the first game I watched this year. And I keep seeing it game after game.

I know that as officials we often joke about NBA officiating, but it really seems that the gap between HS/College and NBA officiating philosophies has gotten smaller this year.

Thoughts? Have you guys (and ladies) seen the same thing?