What is that league teaching its officials?

[Altor]

I think, if you go back and look, the complaints are about the NBA "rules" and the way the officials are told to enforce them. They are complaints about the administration of the league and how it is not really basketball, but rather entertainment (à la WWE).

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Altor

I think, if you go back and look, the complaints are about the NBA "rules" and the way the officials are told to enforce them. They are complaints about the administration of the league and how it is not really basketball, but rather entertainment (à la WWE).

You might be right in theory, but that still is a ridiculous characterization. Officials in all pro leagues are told to call things a certain way. Just like if you work in a D1 conference, you call the game how the supervisor wants you to or you do not work. And the WWE is completely made up and fake. Everything from what the individuals say to what punch is thrown is choreographed. The NBA is not that way and the rules are there to make the average person watch. They are not for us who work high school and college to approve. And by trying to get on the NBA for the rules, you can make the leap that the officials are not doing their jobs either. Do you think NFL officials do not call the game the way they are told? Now can people keep making that characterization? Of course this is a board that allows that thing. I just think it is sad that people get upset about one type of characterization and do not see the same thing in this characterization. Because the NF decided tomorrow to change the rules to some NBA rules, then we would have to deal with it or stop officiating basketball.

Peace

[Altor]

Your response still worries about what people say about the officials. That is NOT the basic complaint that I've read on this forum about the NBA. Most people agree that the officials are doing what they are asked to do. The complaint is that what they are asked to do by the league is not officiate basketball.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Altor

Your response still worries about what people say about the officials. That is NOT the basic complaint that I've read on this forum about the NBA. Most people agree that the officials are doing what they are asked to do. The complaint is that what they are asked to do by the league is not officiate basketball.

I get what you and others are saying and the criticism of NBA rules and the way officials are directed to call the games but I still agree with Jrut's post and think you may be missing our point a bit.

To compare the NBA to the WWE IS ridiculous. WWE is completely choreographed and is not real competition. It is purely entertainment. The NBA, regardless of what you think of the rules and their application, is a competitive professional SPORT. It's a very slippery slope when you make this comparison because it is not a far leap from what you are suggesting to then begin to say the competition is not real and that outcomes are fixed. Which, of course, is why Stern is so aggressive in fining players and coaches for their public comments about the officiating. When you state that what they are being asked to do is not officiate basketball you are also suggesting that they are complicit in whatever it is you think the NBA is other than basketball.

And they are officiating basketball. Just because you may not agree with all of the rules does not mean its not basketball. I think its very disingenuous to suggest that we, as high school and college officials, have this "true and pure" sport of basketball while the NBA is something foreign. The NBA is basketball played at the highest level. The rules are designed to create freedom of movement and allow players to display their talents and athleticism. Are there rules perfect? No. Are there things that people, including myself, dont agree with? Absolutely. But that is just our opinion, just like others may have opinions about some of the rules in college and high school.

This is what was behind my initial post. It just irritates the hell out of me when people constantly complain about NBA officiating and rules because it does not take long before all of the "entertainment" and conspiracy theory BS comes up.

[Tio]

Agreed...

We should be nothing but supportive of our colleagues regardless of the level they work.

[bradfordwilkins]

WWE is completely choreographed

A little off topic -- but as a former professional wrestler (and theater major - so I know what choreographed is haha), I can attest to the fact that 95% of our matches are never "choreographed" -- the outcomes ARE decided and we'll talk through how the match will end so the "referee" knows when to count to 3.

So that's what I take from what people are saying on here when they call it NBE -- I think it is a slap in the face to our colleagues, essentially calling the league rigged and thus them cheaters. I know (or HOPE) that's not the intention -- but like you VATerp, thats how it comes across to me.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

...but as a former professional wrestler ...

Did you ever "wrestle" anyone famous?

[bradfordwilkins]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Did you ever "wrestle" anyone famous?

I worked mainly with WCW, so worked with a lot of those guys -- Meng was one of my trainers (big Samoan guy), Billy Gunn, Eddie Guerrero (RIP)... in a battle royal got knocked around by a lot of famous guys hahah.

And while the punches are pulled, a chair to the head is still a chair to the head, getting slammed on your back is still being slammed to your back, etc.