Are the NBA replacement refs really this bad?

[Mark Padgett]

One newspaper columnist's take on the NBA replacement refs.

Muzzle this, NBA: Your replacement refs are terrible | John Canzano - – OregonLive.com

[grunewar]

Wow John, tell us what you really think of the officiating!

[Scratch85]

It looks like John, and probably a lot of fans, prefer the NBA to be like WWE Wrestling and Globetrotter Basketball.

The replacement refs obviously know the rules and are capable of calling games, but they may not be familiar with the rules of the "Show". It's entertainment and big business. Let them (NBA) conduct business however they choose. The paying fans will be the judge of its' success.

[Indianaref]

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.

Originally Posted by mbyron

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

It's started.

Sounds like someone put too many beans into this columnist's latte. The NBA could send a bigger message by telling the teams to revoke the press credentials of idiots like this columnist or be fined.

[Indianaref]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Sounds like someone put too many beans into this columnist's latte. The NBA could send a bigger message by telling the teams to revoke the press credentials of idiots like this columnist or be fined.

You are underestimating the strength of the union.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

It's started.

Perhaps. This is an editorial. I'll be curious to see what comes from the regular game articles.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Sounds like someone put too many beans into this columnist's latte. The NBA could send a bigger message by telling the teams to revoke the press credentials of idiots like this columnist or be fined.

Why would you want them to? It's one thing for the NBA to muzzle players and coaches. They are trying to negotiate a union contract and they don't want "their side" torpedoing their efforts.

But what is your motivation for wanting to silence the press? You don't agree with the columnists opinion, so you want to "disappear him" somehow? Are you hoping everybody will agree the replacements do a better job and the NBA will let the current staff go? I guess I'm missing your point.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

Why would you want them to? It's one thing for the NBA to muzzle players and coaches. They are trying to negotiate a union contract and they don't want "their side" torpedoing their efforts.

But what is your motivation for wanting to silence the press? You don't agree with the columnists opinion, so you want to "disappear him" somehow? Are you hoping everybody will agree the replacements do a better job and the NBA will let the current staff go? I guess I'm missing your point.

If the replacements are that bad then the NBA better get the regular officials back. The NBA has decided to not let the officials work. They do not want to be pressured to bring them back.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by LDUB

If the replacements are that bad then the NBA better get the regular officials back. The NBA has decided to not let the officials work. They do not want to be pressured to bring them back.

From the league's point of view, you are right. I was wondering about Ref Ump Welsch's motivation for his comments. He seems to disagree strongly with the editorial, then suggest how the league might exercise some control over the guy. The attitude I got was basically, "This guy is an idiot, can't you shut him up?" I was wondering why RUW would want that to happen. What makes this editorial different than any other, normally clueless, commentary from any other sports writer about officiating on any other day?

Perhaps today is no different and he can't ever stand clueless idiot sportswriters?

[mutantducky]

refs suck and the media is always right

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

From the league's point of view, you are right. I was wondering about Ref Ump Welsch's motivation for his comments. He seems to disagree strongly with the editorial, then suggest how the league might exercise some control over the guy. The attitude I got was basically, "This guy is an idiot, can't you shut him up?" I was wondering why RUW would want that to happen. What makes this editorial different than any other, normally clueless, commentary from any other sports writer about officiating on any other day?

Perhaps today is no different and he can't ever stand clueless idiot sportswriters?

I was just thinking back to the good old days, when coaches and GM's could take away a certain journalist's credentials because of the crap they spewed, and got away with it because the NBA or other organization didn't care. Now, I know that wouldn't fly.

And you're right, I just can't stand clueless idiot sportswriters. They ought to create a special place in hell for them.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

They ought to create a special place in hell for them.

They already have such a place......they banish them to Washington DC and force them to cover the Nationals, the Wizards, and the Redskins!

Originally Posted by grunewar

They already have such a place......they banish them to Washington DC and force them to cover the Nationals, the Wizards, and the Redskins!

I have a buddy who's a fan of all three...wonder if dropping him that line would ruin his mentality before he takes his math test today.

[deecee]

That's his opinion. I don't get why we are getting so riled up about this man and his opinion and his job? If we want to dismiss every negative comment made towards us then we should do the same to every positive comment as well.

Plus we seem to always judge the NBA to "our" set of standards when it is clear that the NBA runs on "their" set of standards. I dont get all the hostility towards the league, especially since we know what it is all about.