NBA Game last night- questions

[Tee]

Sonics/Lakers game last night at the Key- several things caught my attention:

What is the purpose of the switch(?) the officials wear on the back of their belt? Time maybe? Seemed to turn it on as the chopped in the ball. Did not notice them turning it off on whistles- which would be impracticle...

Some strange mech.- Why toss the ball to the FT shooter, instead of bounce it? Just to be different?

Never closed on fouls, much less bird dogged. I can understand the non point, but how about the occasional close? It is possible I missed one or two, and that they did it, anyone know their mech?

Damm! there was a ref that was taller then me... he looked about 6'9" or so, Black, and fairly built (not skinney) Who is he, and where did he play?

Overall it seemed like they were doing stuff just to be different from HS or college guys. But they did a pretty good job overall, Hugh Hollins was crew chief/Referee.

"The unorginal Tee"