Ref will get younger

[KMBReferee]

Geez, and I thought how the NBA handled the Durant call last year was bad.

Between his comments last night without having seen the video first and now this, Adams comes off as reactionary. It sounds like he's trying to please ESPN's talking heads more than actually putting the best officials in the tournament.

The best officials, no matter what age, should call the tournament. I know that may be naive, but that's how I see it.

[NoFussRef]

Originally Posted by KMBReferee

Geez, and I thought how the NBA handled the Durant call last year was bad.

Between his comments last night without having seen the video first and now this, Adams comes off as reactionary. It sounds like he's trying to please ESPN's talking heads more than actually putting the best officials in the tournament.

The best officials, no matter what age, should call the tournament. I know that may be naive, but that's how I see it.

I wouldn't say naive, NCAA and NBE I know have to worry more about the "look" of their crews, but speaking through the youth and adult wreck lens, I personally don't care how young or old my partner is- provided they can get into position and consistently make correct calls/no-calls.

I have worked with "dinosaurs" that could still beat the pack down the floor, and worked with "teenie-boppers" that had great on-court presence.

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by KMBReferee

Geez, and I thought how the NBA handled the Durant call last year was bad.

Between his comments last night without having seen the video first and now this, Adams comes off as reactionary. It sounds like he's trying to please ESPN's talking heads more than actually putting the best officials in the tournament.

The best officials, no matter what age, should call the tournament. I know that may be naive, but that's how I see it.

I personally think Adams' words of "younger" is taken out of context. Most guys peak in their officiating career in their 40s in my opinion. That is when they have it all going on. They should be absolutely proficient with the rules, should still be in good shape and able to still run the floor well, and have had the amount of experience needed to be at the top of their game. So to me that is not too young. There are too many out there that are in their latter years who can't run, etc. and are on the decline. Although I think these men have contributed greatly to the game, I would still like to see them around the game, therefore I think they should be advisors to the NCAA, certain conferences, etc. but not on the court.

[mbyron]

I'm confused about how any official can get younger. Like Merlin?

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I'm confused about how any official can get younger. Like Merlin?

One word: BoTox

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by btaylor64

I personally think Adams' words of "younger" is taken out of context. Most guys peak in their officiating career in their 40s in my opinion. That is when they have it all going on. They should be absolutely proficient with the rules, should still be in good shape and able to still run the floor well, and have had the amount of experience needed to be at the top of their game. So to me that is not too young. There are too many out there that are in their latter years who can't run, etc. and are on the decline. Although I think these men have contributed greatly to the game, I would still like to see them around the game, therefore I think they should be advisors to the NCAA, certain conferences, etc. but not on the court.

I agree with the peak being in the 40's, but I think the optimum ages are between 30 and 55 years old. At 30, an official should have 5-10 years experience. At 55, he still should have enough mobility...and smarts... to get into and keep himself in position as long as he watches and works on his fitness level. Ideally imo, you try to pair the young 'uns with the older guys to take advantage of their acquired wisdom while getting the young 'uns ready to take over from them. Of course though, you can't make hard and fast rules. Some officials might start early and have the innate ability and drive to move onward and upward in their mid-20's when they get enough experience in. And the wear and tear of those 100-game seasons in both the NCAA and NBA combined with the travel are factors at any age too. Too much and you might not be mentally prepared on a particular night, no matter your age and experience. And some officials are born R's while others might be good, competent officials but they're still career U2's.

JMO.

[btaylor64]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

I agree with the peak being in the 40's, but I think the optimum ages are between 30 and 55 years old. At 30, an official should have 5-10 years experience. At 55, he still should have enough mobility...and smarts... to get into and keep himself in position as long as he watches and works on his fitness level. Ideally imo, you try to pair the young 'uns with the older guys to take advantage of their acquired wisdom while getting the young 'uns ready to take over from them. Of course though, you can't make hard and fast rules. Some officials might start early and have the innate ability and drive to move onward and upward in their mid-20's when they get enough experience in. And the wear and tear of those 100-game seasons in both the NCAA and NBA combined with the travel are factors at any age too. Too much and you might not be mentally prepared on a particular night, no matter your age and experience. And some officials are born R's while others might be good, competent officials but they're still career U2's.

JMO.

agreed and well said and I also think you just called it the NBA and not the "NBE" for the first time!!! I think I'm going to archive this post and now I am going to shed a happy tear. haha

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by btaylor64

agreed and well said and I also think you just called it the NBA and not the "NBE" for the first time!!! I think I'm going to archive this post and now I am going to shed a happy tear. haha

Ben, believe it or not I have nothing but respect for the officials in the NBA. The league and some of it's administrators? Not so much. The problems with the NBE don't lie with the guys with the whistle imo. It lies with the league's philosophy.

Again, jmo.

[CDurham]

If they want younger then I'll be glad to sign up to officiate a couple of NCAA tournaments

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Ben, believe it or not I have nothing but respect for the officials in the NBA. The league and some of it's administrators? Not so much. The problems with the NBE don't lie with the guys with the whistle imo. It lies with the league's philosophy.

Again, jmo.

And this is different than what other levels? You work NCAA you have to do things that the Big East, Big Ten or SEC ask you to do. And the NCAA has philosophies as well. That is the case from the pro level, to the little corner of my world where one assignor wants this called and another assignor in another league wants this called. That is the life we all live in. The NBA just has a smaller staff.

Peace