NBA Replacement Refs

[wanja]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Out of curiosity, do these D-League and WNBA officials have a choice on whether or not they want to be replacements?

Interesting question -- I don't have an answer. One of the contract issues is that the NBA wants to use WNBA and D-League refs for some regular season NBA games as part of a development program.

[SAK]

Originally Posted by wanja

Interesting question -- I don't have an answer. One of the contract issues is that the NBA wants to use WNBA and D-League refs for some regular season NBA games as part of a development program.

Is that to say that the WNBA is also a developmental league for referees?

[wanja]

Originally Posted by SAK

Is that to say that the WNBA is also a developmental league for referees?

In fact, that has been the case. The following referees officiated in the WNBA before getting a shot in the NBA.

Mark Ayotte
Matt Boland
Tony Brown
Derrick Collins
Pat Fraher
Dee Kantner
Bill Kennedy
Courtney Kirkland
Ed Malloy
Tommy Nunez, Jr.
Violet Palmer
Jason Phillips
Eli Roe
Kurt Walker
Zach Zarba
Gary Zielinski

[Indianaref]

Just a prediction, as we get close to season opener, watch the media reports on how bad the replacement refs are.

[bas2456]

All indications thus far are that the replacements are doing well.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Just a prediction, as we get close to season opener, watch the media reports on how bad the replacement refs are.

Disagree. Every team's media office will be threatening to cut off access to players in response to stories like that.

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Just a prediction, as we get close to season opener, watch the media reports on how bad the replacement refs are.

So far I haven't heard a peep like this. Matter of fact, I overheard a local sportscaster comment he thought the replacements were doing better than the regular officials. The anchor asked if he'd been watching the movie "The Replacements" too many times. The sportscaster said no, and shockingly he said he was telling the full truth.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SAK

Is that to say that the WNBA is also a developmental league for referees?

I seriously doubt it. And that in itself might help those feelings of the current NBA Officials. Now if these were simply officials from the high school to college ranks, you might have a different reaction.

Peace