NBA Wants More Respect for Game and Officials.....

[APG]

Originally Posted by Victor74

Yes the NBA does on one hand try educating fans but on the other hand sets themselves back. And the broadcasters certainly can help the NBA more in that manner. It is frustrating (and it happens in college games too) listening to broadcasters explain a rule incorrectly or suppose what the official is calling.

FOX has included the NFL's former VP of Officiating in their broadcasts which certainly is helpful. It could be of benefit if TNT or ESPN or both would do similar. Having a former official explain a controversial call or go over rules explinations would benefit the viewers and the NBA.

The NBA has done things to improve the officiating but there is a gap between perception and reality. The perception will take time to change, but it can be accomplished.

When you really think about it though, broadcasters don't really help any of the respective sports that they covers as far as rules knowledge and interpretations go. You'll either hear a fan's misrepresentation of the rule, a rule confusion for that particular level (high school rule vs. college vs. pro rules) or the rule just flat out wrong.

I do agree that having Mike Pereira for the Fox broadcasts was a tremendous add for the network. And it really works well for the NFL as its rule are very complex and nuisanced (a whole second book could be made just for all the exceptions listed in the book). I don't know how well it'd translate to basketball (especially compared to football) but it couldn't hurt.

[Victor74]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

When you really think about it though, broadcasters don't really help any of the respective sports that they covers as far as rules knowledge and interpretations go. You'll either hear a fan's misrepresentation of the rule, a rule confusion for that particular level (high school rule vs. college vs. pro rules) or the rule just flat out wrong.

I do agree that having Mike Pereira for the Fox broadcasts was a tremendous add for the network. And it really works well for the NFL as its rule are very complex and nuisanced (a whole second book could be made just for all the exceptions listed in the book). I don't know how well it'd translate to basketball (especially compared to football) but it couldn't hurt.

Yea my suggestion wouldn't be the cure all but I think it could help. And it would be a little more difficult in basketball than football. But I think it would help the broadcasters. A lot of times fans take what broadcasters say as either truth or use what knowledge they have in forming opinions. It just would be nice if those broadcasters knew what they were talking about. And that applies not only to rules and officials, but the game itself. Sometimes I don't think the broadcasters are actually watching the game, whether it is football or basketball.