NBA Replacement Refs
 

I have not watched an '09 NBA pre-season game yet. How are the replacement refs doing? They are coming mostly from the D-League and WNBA with a smattering of college guys. This list of replacement refs is updated daily and includes photos and game assignments.

Steve Anderson
Riel Banaria
Dan Beauchamp
Scott Bolnick
Michael Bobiak
Michael Borgelt
Lorenzo Bronson
Nick Buchert
James Buntin
Deldre Carr
Marcus Clayton
Sir Allen Connor
Andre Crawford
Greg Dandridge
Mike DiRenzo
Jerrald Drummond
Edward Gaines
Carlos Gonzalez
Tim Greene
Eric Hanspard
Michael Henderson
Wilson Holland
Don Hudson
Ivan Jackson
Byron Jarrett
Larry Killips
Karl Lane
Roberto Marquez
Tre Maddox
Jose Martin
Glenn Mayberry
Corey McCray
George McDaniels
Marty McEachean
William Mensah
Victor Montgomery
Jaime Morales
Matthew Myers
Brett Nansel
JT Orr
Robbie Robinson
Hector Sanchez
Kevin Scott
Garrick Shannon
Brian Shelley
Lamont Simpson
Clifford Sims
Jeff Smith
Kevin Sparrock
Crathman Stephens
Tom Sterner
Ben Taylor
Scott Twardoski
Art Vaulk
Kurt Walker
CJ Washington
Ken Washington
James Williams
Jeff Wooten

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

So....if you give this guy an argument, he lops your head off with his sword? :eek:

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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?"

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. :eek: 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. :cool:

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

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

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.

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.

No. Of course not. Don't be silly.

He has people to take of that for him. ;)

More "comments" on how the replacements are doing.....
 

"West missed a game that featured a total of 55 fouls called by replacement officials, with Cleveland shooting 41 free throws to Charlotte's 24. Larry Brown got a technical in the final minute of the third quarter for arguing a call on a Bobcats player, and continued to ride the officials the rest of the game.

"They're learning,'' the Charlotte coach said about the replacement officials, who are working preseason games while the regular officials are locked out. "They're trying to get better. This is not an easy game to officiate. All you want as a coach is consistency, but this is not an easy thing for them. We have the best officials in all of sports, and this is the way it is.''

Entire article is at:

Shaq's Debut Overshadowed by Delonte West, Replacement Officials -- NBA FanHouse

Seems like Shaq is the only one giving the regular officials their due and realizes their importance to the NBA game and the game itself. This carries over into realizing the importance of all officials at all levels and their contribution to the game.
Once again, don't let the NBA drag other experienced officials in the farm system or in the amateur system into the controversy to do their bidding for them. Let them negotiate. If they need people to officiate during negotiations, let them get people off the street and put them through a 2 week training course (since they think so little of officials just think officials are just a necessary evil and expense anyway). The replacements can work until the strike is over and then decide if they really like officiating and could sign up with their local officiating group and then later apply to be a regular NBA ref and go through the minor league system themselves.

I have a friend who is a WNBA ref and was asked and he turned it down. So they dont have to. As far as D-League Officials, I would think they would want to work for the experience!

It's not as simple as that. At least one NBA ref is a D1/D2 supervisor. And there are current and former D-League refs on his conference staffs whom the NBA has working in the pre-season. How do you think this NBA ref will treat those D-Leaguers when the lock-out is over?

The 5 replacement officials listed below will work their first NBA preseason game tonight. The original post has been edited to include them. The later additions to the replacement roster are not on the D-League and WNBA rosters and come from the d1 ranks and other pro leagues.

Jerrald Drummond, Tim Greene, Marty McEachean, Hector Sanchez, Art Vaulk

I read that some reporter said the NBA was having trouble finding replacement refs, since it was hard to find people who can quickly make snap judgments of total objectivity. So...they decided to hire Paula Abdul. :D

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.

This list is not complete. I have a friend who is working and his name is not on the list yet...

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. :confused:

When your friend works a game, he'll be added. The original list came from an NBA email listing 44 officials. Other officials are being added as their game assignments are posted on the NBA web site.

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

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.

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.

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.

Yes the 2 refs fired in 2007 (Mike Henderson and Robbie Robinson) are included in the none of the above. The posted list of refs has grown and will continue to grow as the NBA provides more information. Replacement referees who did not work d1, wnba or dleague in the most recent season are likely to have done so in the past or recently worked other professional ball. For example, Tim Greene is a career navy vet from Philadelphia who has worked Japanese professional ball and in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas as part of a referee camp.

Robbie Robinson worked games in the Southern Conference last year, if I'm not mistaken.

And I know he participated this summer in a NCAA D1 camp.

Yea. statsheet has him working the following 8 d1 games last year. I've updated my nba preseason info.

2009-03-07 College Of Charleston 67 Western Carolina 48 Chattanooga TN
2009-02-28 Elon 66 North Carolina Greensboro 74 Greensboro NC
2009-02-07 Appalachian State 77 Elon 63 Elon NC
2009-01-31 Davidson 55 Samford 52 Birmingham AL
2009-01-24 College Of Charleston 63 Citadel 72 Charleston SC
2009-01-17 Davidson 89 Georgia Southern 68 Statesboro GA
2009-01-10 Georgia Southern 87 College Of Charleston 100 Charleston SC
2008-12-29 Davidson 79 College Of Charleston 75 Charleston SC

Add the following to the list of NBA replacement referees

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

http://phillyref.com/basketball/nbar...n_stephens.jpg

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!

Greg Dandridge??? That's great for him. Just saw him this week.

His claim to fame? He was my co-conspirator the only time I've ever had a Blarge in a regulation game. :o

Also, NY@Boston tonight is featuring a semi-regular to our forum.

Jurassic is working? Kewl, what time is the game on?

Although he did say semi-regular, and I know Jurassic eats lots of prunes, I don't think that's who he meant.

I'm sure that he means Ben "pro-philosophy" Taylor.

BTW there's a rather high number of names on this list from the State of Nevada, especially given the relatively low population of this state.

Add Michael Bobiak and Corey McCray to the list of NBA replacement referees

Add Dan Beauchamp and Mike DiRenzo to the list of NBA replacement referees

Add Tom Sterner to the list from the Thunder/Hornets game. Do not have a #
Add Monty McCutchen to the list from Bucks/Bulls game. do not have a #.
Will Assume Monty McCuthen is not the same person as Marty Mceachen

The Bucks/Bulls NBA boxscore has Michael Bobiak , Michael Henderson and Corey McCray as the officials. Can you provide a reference with MuCutchen or confirm that you saw the game and who the other 2 refs were?


The Thunder/Hornets NBA boxscore has Tom Sterner, Andre Crawford and Jeff Wooten as the officials. I've added Sterner to the list of NBA replacement refs. His assignment is interesting. He apparently replaced Marcus Clayton at the last minute since Clayton was on the NBA assignment list the morning of the game. Tom Sterner has also been an NBA assistant coach with multiple teams and I didn't find any other internet references to him as a referee.

I've been googling the teams that play with the words Bucks vs Bulls box score and then I click on the ESPN address. This one was
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks - Box Score - October 10, 2009 - ESPN. Obviously the one you showed me did not have Monty McCutchen. I have no idea which is the better resource. Hope I have not caused you any problems. It would be much easier if the USA Today boxscore would have the officials like they normally do, but that is not the case

I appreciate the second look and the help. Monty McCutchen worked last season as a regular NBA referee. If he is still on the NBA roster and worked a pre-season game, he would be the only one to cross the line. For now, I'll go with the NBA.com boxscore and assignment list over the ESPN boxscore that listed Monty McCutchen. I'll keep an eye open to see if he pops up elsewhere.

Add Eric Hanspard, Ivan Jackson and Larry Killips to the list of NBA replacement referees

Add Roberto Marquezto the list of NBA replacement referees

http://phillyref.com/basketball/nbar...to_marquez.jpg

so why do we need a list of replacement refs?

Good Question ..
 

I've been wondering about that for about the last fifty posts, or so. Maybe some are keeping track of their college level colleagues who are trying to move up a to the next level. Others may be keeping a list of scabs to give the cold shoulder to in the future.

The NBA pre-season is past the halfway point (67 of 120 games played). The following 10 officials were on the list of NBA replacement referees, but have not yet officiated. They have been removed from the list. Most likely, at least some were offered but declined the opportunity. If these or other additions officiate a pre-season game, they will be added to the list.

Brent Barnaky
Jose Carrion
Kane Fitzgerald
Keith Kimble
Marat Kogut
Jamie Luckie
Mike Price
Clarke Stevens
Josh Tiven
Tony Turner

Ben Taylor sure made some noise tonight. :D


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Updated: October 18, 2009, 8:12 PM ET
Tel Aviv coach refuses to leave game

<script type="text/javascript">var stobj = SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:"Knicks%20game%20delayed%20when%20coach%20wo n\'t%20leave", url:"http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4574912", published: "2009-10-18" }); stobj.attachButton(document.getElementBy</script><cite class="source">Associated Press
</cite> Strange Scene in Knicks Preseason Game

Maccabi coach Pini Geshon was ejected and refused to leave the court in their game against the KnicksTags: NBA, New York Knicks
<style type="text/css"> .beta-opt {border-width:1px 0 0; border-style:solid; border-color:#ccc; padding:8px 0 0; margin:0 10px 4px; height:1%; font-size:11px; clear:both; float:left; width:95%;} .ie6 .beta-opt {margin:0 5px 4px;} .beta-opt label {float:left; width:180px;} .beta-opt input {margin-left:10px;} .beta-opt input.btn-enable, .beta-opt input.btn-disable {background:url(http://assets.espn.go.com/broadband/...red_enable.png) 0 0 no-repeat; border:none; height:18px; width:82px; cursor:pointer;} .beta-opt input.btn-disable {background:url(http://assets.espn.go.com/broadband/...ed_disable.png) 0 0 no-repeat;} .beta-opt p {padding-bottom:0; margin-bottom:0; margin:0;} .beta-opt p a {padding-right:8px; font-size:10px; line-height:24px;} h4.inline-header {font-family:helvetica,arial; color:#444; font-size:12px; letter-spacing:0.3px; line-height:25px; margin:0; padding:0 0 0 10px;} </style> <script language="javascript"> function setCookie(c_name,value,expiredays){ var exdate=new Date(); exdate.setTime(exdate.getTime()+expiredays*24*60*6 0*1000); document.cookie = c_name+ "=" + escape(value) + ((expiredays==null) ? "" : ";expires="+exdate.toGMTString()) + ";path=/;domain=.go.com;"; document.cookie = c_name+ "=" + escape(value) + ((expiredays==null) ? "" : ";expires="+exdate.toGMTString()) + ";path=/;"; } function getBetaCookie(c_name){ if (document.cookie.length>0){ c_start=document.cookie.indexOf(c_name + "="); if (c_start!=-1){ c_start=c_start + c_name.length+1; c_end=document.cookie.indexOf(";",c_start); if (c_end==-1) c_end=document.cookie.length; return unescape(document.cookie.substring(c_start,c_end)) ; } } return ""; } var cname = "releaseCandidate"; function setBetaCookie(){ var betaState = document.beta.state[0].checked? "true" : "false"; setCookie(cname, betaState, 100); window.location.reload(false); } function setBtns(){ var betaCook = getBetaCookie("releaseCandidate"); if (betaCook != "" && betaCook == "true"){ document.getElementById("enableBtn").className = "btn-disable"; document.getElementById("betaPlayerStatus").innerH TML = "Enabled"; } else { document.getElementById("disableBtn").className = "btn-enable"; document.getElementById("betaPlayerStatus").innerH TML = "Disabled"; } } function clickButton(button){ if (button.className == "btn-enable"){ setCookie(cname, "true", 100); document.getElementById("enableBtn").className = "btn-disable"; document.getElementById("betaPlayerStatus").innerH TML = "Enabled"; } else { setCookie(cname, "false", 100); document.getElementById("enableBtn").className = "btn-enable"; document.getElementById("betaPlayerStatus").innerH TML = "Disabled"; } window.location.reload(false); } window.onload = setBtns; </script> Learn More » Report a bug » Feedback »


Strange Scene in Knicks Preseason Game
NEW YORK -- NBA or Europe, regular referees or replacements, the rules are the same: Two technical fouls is an automatic ejection, and anyone ejected must leave the floor.
Maccabi Tel Aviv wanted a pass on that rule Sunday.
The New York Knicks' 106-91 victory over the Euroleague team featured a bizarre delay in the third quarter when the visiting coach refused to leave after he was ejected.
The game was halted about 8 minutes when Pini Gershon continued to linger near Maccabi's bench -- a delay that included a rabbi trying to intervene by asking the NBA's replacement referees calling the game to allow Gershon to stay.
"I explained that this is not a regular game and the kids are watching and [it's] important that there will be peace and forgive him," Rabbi Yitchak Dovid Grossman said of his discussions with the officials. "If you forgive him, I can speak to the children and say, 'You also forgive. If you have a fight, you forgive.' But he says this is the law, that you must obey."
Gershon eventually left after a lengthy discussion with the referees, his assistant coaches and NBA security personnel. A security official said Gershon told them he didn't care if the game was stopped before he eventually agreed to leave.
"He likes the crowd, the crowd likes him very much," Maccabi's Yaniv Green said. "They're coming to the game to see him even more than they're coming to see us. He's quite a character, like you saw today."
Nate Robinson scored 19 points, and David Lee added 14 points and 12 rebounds for New York.
Former Michigan State player Alan Anderson scored 20 points for Maccabi Tel Aviv. D'or Fischer added 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Apparently frustrated by the officiating, Maccabi picked up four technical fouls, including two on Gershon in a 53-second span of the third quarter. Strangely, the second came after he screamed at official Ben Taylor in front of his bench following an offensive foul called on the Knicks' Al Harrington.
With fans chanting "Macc-ab-i!", Gershon didn't seem to be listening to any of the basketball officials. Once the appeal from Grossman, founder and dean of Migdal Ohr, failed, Gershon finally exited.
"I've never experienced that before, but I mean there's a first time for everything I guess," said Robinson, who approached the Maccabi bench in an attempt to figure out what was happening.
A Maccabi official said Gershon would not comment, and the NBA is not allowing the replacement officials to comment during the preseason. The regular staff is locked out during a labor dispute.
Wilson Chandler and Harrington, back after missing the last game with a knee injury, each scored 11 points for the Knicks, who also beat the Israeli team in a 2007 exhibition. Maccabi visits the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
The 2007 game drew the largest crowd for an exhibition at Madison Square Garden. That was a night contest, this game began at 1 p.m. ET, a more convenient time for Maccabi's fans overseas but it left the upper section of seats empty.
Maccabi's roster featured Maciej Lampe, a second-round pick of the Knicks in 2003. He was traded early the next year to Phoenix, where he would later play for Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, in the deal for Stephon Marbury. Lampe finished with 14 points.
Darko Milicic didn't play for the Knicks in the second half due to an upset stomach.
Proceeds from the game will benefit Migdal Ohr, the world's largest orphanage.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press