NBA Replacement Refs

[dahoopref]

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?

Yes they do have a choice. I know of one highly respected D1 official who was on the fast-track to the NBA. He said "no" and chose not to work as a "scab" because many of his mentors are NBA refs. Because of his decision, he may never reach his goal of working the NBA.

The NBA administration did not look highly of him turning down the offer to work during the lockout. After the lockout is over, it will interesting to see if he gets invited back to work the D-League.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

Yes they do have a choice. I know of one highly respected D1 official who was on the fast-track to the NBA. He said "no" and chose not to work as a "scab" because many of his mentors are NBA refs. Because of his decision, he may never reach his goal of working the NBA.

The NBA administration did not look highly of him turning down the offer to work during the lockout. After the lockout is over, it will interesting to see if he gets invited back to work the D-League.

If what you say is correct, then essentially they don't have a choice. They either work the NBA games or risk losing their D-League/WNBA jobs.

My idea of choice as it pertains to this scenario is "can they choose not to work NBA games now and still remain in the D-League and WNBA programs?"

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

If what you say is correct, then essentially they don't have a choice. They either work the NBA games or risk losing their D-League/WNBA jobs.

My idea of choice as it pertains to this scenario is "can they choose not to work NBA games now and still remain in the D-League and WNBA programs?"

This is exactly the reason for my question. That doesn't seem like much of a choice unfortunately.

[JMUplayer]

If they replacement refs do a solid job even @ 95% of what the original refs were making don't you think the NBA would be fine with that?

When you're at the top there are always people below you that want the opportunity.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

Yes they do have a choice. I know of one highly respected D1 official who was on the fast-track to the NBA. He said "no" and chose not to work as a "scab" because many of his mentors are NBA refs. Because of his decision, he may never reach his goal of working the NBA.

The NBA administration did not look highly of him turning down the offer to work during the lockout. After the lockout is over, it will interesting to see if he gets invited back to work the D-League.

How do they have a choice if the NBA was not happy on their decision? That sounds like if they want to keep their job or standing, they have to work. If they want to give it all up, they do not work. Technically they have a choice, but it is the end result of that choice that is going to matter.

Peace

[riverfalls57]

The T-Wolves had their first preseason game on Sunday against the Bucks. 73 fouls called, 41 on Milwaukee. The Bucks were 26-38 from the line and the Wolves were 50-56. The Wolves averaged about 23 FT attempts per game last year. The Minneapolis paper commented on how whistle happy the replacement Refs were.

[tballump]

There is usually a gag order issued concerning the criticism of replacement officials to the press in any sport where there is a job action by the officials. Teams are going to respond positively to the press or face the consequences. There is usually some communication given about deportment during the game also. So, "nice game" if you are one who is always searching for this comment from coaches and players, doesn't mean squat during a strike situation.

[dahoopref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

How do they have a choice if the NBA was not happy on their decision? That sounds like if they want to keep their job or standing, they have to work. If they want to give it all up, they do not work. Technically they have a choice, but it is the end result of that choice that is going to matter.

Peace

I agree with you on this JRut, and I never said it was an easy decision; but it was his decision to make. I'm sure him having close ties and friendships to the his mentors of current NBA refs had a LOT to do with it. It was definitely a hard spot to be put into but he made the best decision for his situation.

On a side note: I was told that John Adams is not looking too highly on the D1 refs who are working the NBA games right now. Take it for what it is.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

I agree with you on this JRut, and I never said it was an easy decision; but it was his decision to make. I'm sure him having close ties and friendships to the his mentors of current NBA refs had a LOT to do with it. It was definitely a hard spot to be put into but he made the best decision for his situation.

On a side note: I was told that John Adams is not looking too highly on the D1 refs who are working the NBA games right now. Take it for what it is.

Well it is not much of a choice when the choices are:

1. Potentially ruin your career
2. Get no respect from your possible future colleges and ruin your career in the process.

I do not consider those good choices.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Is the "Micheal Henderson" on the list the same guy that was previously employed with the league, and wore #62. He was involved in an incident that caused all the other refs to wear their shirts backwards one/multiple night(s).

[wanja]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Is the "Micheal Henderson" on the list the same guy that was previously employed with the league, and wore #62. He was involved in an incident that caused all the other refs to wear their shirts backwards one/multiple night(s).

Yep, same guy. Some of the refs who stuck their neck out for him probably are not happy. See an article on the lockout including a recap of the incident.

[Raymond]

Well, Bill Kennedy, Leon Wood, Danny Crawford, Ken Mauer, Eddie F. Rush, Derrick Stafford, and Joey Crawford should have no problem at all with this year's replacement officials.

Originally Posted by from article

1995 Lockout by owners. The pre-season and the start of the regular season was covered by replacement officials. Bill Kennedy and Leon Wood are two of the current NBA referees who were replacements according to a New York Times article.

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1983 Lockout by owners. NBA referees Danny Crawford, Ken Mauer, Eddie F. Rush and Derrick Stafford started as replacements.

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1977 Payoffs strike by referees. 28 out of 30 regular NBA referees participated in the strike. Richie Powers and Earl Strom did not. Current NBA referee Joey Crawford was hired as an NBA referee during the strike.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by wanja

Yep, same guy. Some of the refs who stuck their neck out for him probably are not happy. See an article on the lockout including a recap of the incident.

Here's a breakdown of where they officiated during the 08/09 seasons.
Development League 27
NCAA D1 Men 28
NCAA D1 Women 27
WNBA 13
None of the above 4

From the article linked above by wanja. Who are the 4 "None of the above" and where did they come from? D2? HS?!?!?! Couldn't be... I'm guessing 2 could be the two fired by the NBA in 2007.

[wanja]

Add the following to the list of NBA replacement referees

James Buntin, Greg Dandridge, Wilson Holland, Victor Montgomery, Jaime Morales, Crathman Stephens (pictured below)

[Back In The Saddle]

Setting aside what are obviously some very real hard decisions some of these guys have had to make...

I think it would be completely awesome to get to work even a single NBA game as a replacement. Even if some of these good folks never get to work another NBA game, they will always be able to say that they've worked one. It's way more than I'll ever get to do.

My congrats to every one of them. I hope they have a great experience!