Bobby Huggins Ejection

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by DLH17

It's interesting you ask. I've probably issued a dozen or so techs over the past 5 years, so maybe two or three per. I've given two Ts this season that I can recall - one to a player and one to a coach. Different teams. Different games.

More to the essence of this thread, two years ago I whacked a 6th grade competitive league coach with two Ts back to back and sent him packing.

I have no problem utilizing that Tech Tool. But, in conversations with upper level peers and evaluators, the general message is "whack 'em and walk away (using professional, but stern body language).

You either work in the most courteous place in the world or you aren't handling your business. Now, this is just my opinion, but in the various places I've officiated coaches and players earn more than three Ts per year.

I have also heard a final four official say, "I can help someone stop calling Ts, but I can't get them to start." He went on to say something along the lines of officials have to have the courage to call a technical when it is warranted. BNR has worked for this official/assigner too.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by tomegun

You either work in the most courteous place in the world or you aren't handling your business. Now, this is just my opinion, but in the various places I've officiated coaches and players earn more than three Ts per year.

I have also heard a final four official say, "I can help someone stop calling Ts, but I can't get them to start." He went on to say something along the lines of officials have to have the courage to call a technical when it is warranted. BNR has worked for this official/assigner too.

This gives me an excuse to brag a little - I do have the luxury of working in an area whose officials are scheduled by longtime assignors that have had decades of experience both as officials and assignors. My primary assignor is heavy heavy heavy on pre-season, in-season and off-season communication with his officials about how to conduct themselves professionally on (and off) the court. I'm not sure if this is or isn't the case in other metro areas across the nation, but where I am located, it's all engrained in us from the moment we start our careers.

As a result, we as officials definitely know how and when to administer a technical foul. On the flip side, we also have area league organizers and coaches that know exactly what is expected of them and their players during the season because of the relationship with the assignors and his officials. League administrators often attend annual assignor's meetings to review any number of issues.

In saying all of that, it would be fair to say that I do work in a "courteous" area. I'll also say that when there has been poor behavior, it has been a little nasty. We def don't live in some type of utopian basketball world.

For me, part of the fun managing a game is to see how calmly and evenly tempered I can be in the heat of any moment....keeping the heart rate as low as possible. Making good decisions. Sometimes I suck. Most times, I succeed.

[Adam]

I could echo DLH's post, for the most part. The metro area I work in, I've been pleasantly surprised at the good behavior of the coaches at the high school level. Below that, my experience is limited to two games with three teams. 2 good, 1 not so much.

[Judtech]

Well I am glad I finally started a good thread. I will disagree that the first "T" was warranted even though I have no idea what was said. Judging by the reaction of Huggy Bear, I don't think he knew it was coming. He was heading to talk to his team when the official went and whacked him. Then 3 seconds later ran him.
It would have looked a WHOLE lot better had the official 1) Not been in the huddle with WVU 2) Not had the whistle in his mouth the whole time - it looked like a pacifier 3)If he was expaining something to Huggy and Huggy didn't like it, then walk away to your designated spot on the floor. That way if he continues his tirade everyone and their sister will know what was going on. Also, if he earned the "T" earlier in the conversation than why stand around? When the referee left the WVU huddle, he shook his head, you can't see Huggy say anything more, then he whacks him.
Warranted or not, very ugly

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Judtech

Well I am glad I finally started a good thread. I will disagree that the first "T" was warranted even though I have no idea what was said. Judging by the reaction of Huggy Bear, I don't think he knew it was coming. He was heading to talk to his team when the official went and whacked him. Then 3 seconds later ran him.
It would have looked a WHOLE lot better had the official 1) Not been in the huddle with WVU 2) Not had the whistle in his mouth the whole time - it looked like a pacifier 3)If he was expaining something to Huggy and Huggy didn't like it, then walk away to your designated spot on the floor. That way if he continues his tirade everyone and their sister will know what was going on. Also, if he earned the "T" earlier in the conversation than why stand around? When the referee left the WVU huddle, he shook his head, you can't see Huggy say anything more, then he whacks him.
Warranted or not, very ugly

You disagree it was warranted, although you don't know what was said. That makes no sense whatsoever.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Judtech

Well I am glad I finally started a good thread. I will disagree that the first "T" was warranted even though I have no idea what was said.

Are you serious? I'm with Mr MSN on this one.

Originally Posted by Judtech

Judging by the reaction of Huggy Bear, I don't think he knew it was coming.

Irrelevant. All that matters is you don't know what was said.

[Judtech]

Look how do you expect me to type coherently and particiapte in a conference call. Geez.
Here is what I was trying to say:
The first one could possibly have been avoided had the official changed his location or behavior.
It did not appear to me that Huggy said anything after the official left the huddle and went to the give the "T". Was he getting a T for something he said right before he left the huddle or afterwards?
My main point is this: It looked bad for the official to be in that huddle having a conversation with a coach then non chalantly go over and "T" him. There were a lot of things I am sure the official would do differently. (Not sure about Huggy though, he'd probalby do the same) THere was a better way, IMO, to handle the whole situation.

[Adam]

Assuming Huggy said something when the official was in the huddle, should he have made a grand show of the T?

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Assuming Huggy said something when the official was in the huddle, should he have made a grand show of the T?

He should have ended the conversation right there and then T'd him up.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Judtech

The first one could possibly have been avoided had the official changed his location or behavior.

And howinthehell do you know what behavior the official used, or what Huggins actually said to the official? Do you know if Huggins started the conversation with a question, didn't like the answer and then went off on the guy?

Nope, you don't know a damn thing about what really went on, but you're still adamant that it had to be the official's fault and not Huggins.

You ain't one of us, podner. That's for sure.

Sad.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

And howinthehell do you know what behavior the official used, or what Huggins actually said to the official? Do you know if Huggins started the conversation with a question, didn't like the answer and then went off on the guy?

Nope, you don't know a damn thing about what really went on, but you're still adamant that it had to be the official's fault and not Huggins.

You ain't one of us, podner. That's for sure.

Sad.

Never said that it wasn't Huggy's fault. My point is that it is never a good idea to get into a huddle with a team. Of that I AM adamant. If the official gave an explaination, it would be obvious very quickly whether a coach likes it or not. At that point why not try to de- escalate the situation and walk away? Give a stop sign? What is wrong with that?
I watched the game, watched the video, and can judge how it looked, which is all I am doing. Have no idea what was said by either of them, never claimed I did.
And I am sorry I made you sad. I really am a pretty upbeat person. Even when wearing polyesther and be criticized by fans/coaches/announcers etc. Life is too short to be sad!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Judtech

I will disagree that the first "T" was warranted even though I have no idea what was said.

Remind me that if we ever do a game together, I shouldn't turn my back on you. Ever.

Sad!

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Remind me that if we ever do a game together, I shouldn't turn my back on you. Ever.

Sad!

WHy do you say that? If we were actually working together and YOU were the official in the huddle I would have probably been nearby to show support. If you whacked him out of the huddle, I would have watched to see what his reaction was, and I would be the one who tossed him. We would also have gotten together and discussed the situation, said some moderately funny comments at the coaches expense, and then gone on. Of course, you might be right because if you actually TURNED your back on me and a player/coach/fan did something uncalled for I would be able to see it and help you out!! (Unless you were one of my middle school teachers, I SWEAR they had eyes in the back of their heads!)

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Judtech

If we were actually working together and YOU were the official in the huddle I would have probably been nearby to show support.

The same way that you're supporting an official that called a "T" on a coach, and you're stating that the "T" was wrongly called BEFORE you even found out from your partner WHY the "T" was actually called?

No thanks, I'd rather work alone than have support like that.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

The same way that you're supporting an official that called a "T" on a coach, and you're stating that the "T" was wrongly called BEFORE you even found out from your partner WHY the "T" was actually called?

No thanks, I'd rather work alone than have support like that.

Gee willikers. I believe I clarified my position that it could have been handled better. I retracted the statement, and will do so again,that the "T" was not warranted. See if we were working a game together there would be a whole lot more information. In a game we would actually BE partners, while in this case we are only couch potatoes from across the continent. While not actually BEING at the game I am going to go out on a limb that the crew discussed this play after the game, and information was exchanged about what was said and they probably analyzed if there was anything they could have done different or better. Is that so wrong?