Nbe?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

Protecting the quarterbacks is one thing that comes to mind. The NFL has a perception that people want offense. That's all well and good, but I don't mind seeing a good defense too.

I think it's more subtle in the NFL than in the NBA. The NFL has meathead football fans who get pumped no matter what. It's hard to be a meathead basketball fan, IMO.

You might say it's apples and oranges, but at the same time, the NFL is king for a reason. The on-field product is a better one than what the NBA puts out.

The thing is, the real money is made "on the margins" from people who only care to watch an exciting game. You're going to be there no matter what, Johnny C. Lately, however, is more fickle with his dollars and time.

[Texas Aggie]

I actually thought the E stood for "embarrassment." To me, it does, as I don't consider it entertainment. Its an embarrassment in part because, contrary to what some on here think, the officiating is engineered toward a certain outcome. That may or may not include specific games, but the documentation is all over the place for the league orchestrating things like extending series, changing playoff crews to favor a style, etc. I don't blame the individual officials much, but I do question whether they can be true to their convictions when they call the way they are specifically told, ways that are often anti-competitive.

Sure, college supervisors tell me what to wear, when to be there, how to handle certain situations, but all guidance is with the understanding that the teams play the game and advantages within the rules are on them.

What's sad is that some of these so-called rules are filtering down to the lower levels.

[Mark Padgett]

"National Basketball Entertainment", like "World Wrestling Entertainment". IOW - it's a comment on how the game isn't "real" basketball but just entertainment. Of course, the players are exceptional in their skill set - incredible athletes, but they "get away" with lots of no-calls because the purpose of the league is to "entertain" the fans first and foremost. The officials are also great, but they are "informed" as to how to call the game.

That being said, there's probably not a contributor on this board who wouldn't step up to work that league in a New York minute.

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

The officials are also great, but they are "informed" as to how to call the game.

That being said, there's probably not a contributor on this board who wouldn't step up to work that league in a New York minute.

John,

I can say, with FIRST hand knowledge that this statement about being "informed" of what to call is blatantly incorrect. Yes, there are supervisors and a director of officials and we have guidelines and rules (who doesn't), but I have never been told to call something that is not specifically covered in the rules. All levels are "informed" on how to referee. In college it's so sporadic, bc one supervisor has a pet peeve about this and another about that so you better call it the way they want if you want to maintain yourself in that perspective league.