I have three favorites that I enjoy watching work. My favorite NBA referee is Tom Washington, he has to be one of the coolest officials that I have ever met. Plus he has to be one of the best conditioned officials in the league and I like to watch him just glide up and down the court. He seems to be getting deeper into the playoffs this year and I hope to see him in the finals. My favorite NCAA men's official is Ted Valentine. He seems to be the best at taking charge when the circumstances calls for it. I have to admit that his cocky attitude is something that I admire, he always seems to be a true leader out on the court. I also enjoy watching Violet Palmer work, I like watching her run the floor and she sems to be one of the most relaxed women officials who I have ever watched on television.

Unfortunately, my favorite official of all time is no longer with us - Earl Strom. Read his book, "Calling The Shots" and you'll know why he was my favorite.

Of course, my second favorite official of all time is me. :p

Bert Smith is a stud.

I'm about 3/4 through "Calling the Shots" - what an amazing ref and an amazing time to be around basketball.

Runner-up for my favorite ref is Mark Padgett, but only when he's reffing backwards in fishnets and high heels (thankfully this is rarer than a complete solar eclipse).

Favorite ref (of the TV variety) is Reggie Greenwood. He has great presence :p, he takes his time with the table crew, he has fun with the crowds, and he's amiable off the court.

Bert is the man.

NBA guys
 

My 2 favs are Bennett Salvatore and Danny Crawford-both have an incredible demeanor on the floor, are classy men, and control player's (and their own) emotions unbelievably well when things heat up.

Plus, ESPN reported them as being 2 of the top 4 officials in the league, according to a survey of coaches!

JR first lent me Earl's book, "Calling The Shots" and I very much enjoyed it. Although I did watch NBA basketball growing up, I knew nothing about the officials. I didn't start paying any attention to NBA officials until maybe 5 years ago. Having said that, I can see clearly how Earl would be a favorite.

For me, the NBA is Joey Crawford, Violet Palmer, and the African-American official who is built like no other NBA official I've seen. His "V" torso is huge!!!

NC2A is Ted Valentine and I like to watch Phil Bova's way to move around the court - it's funny.

However, I know that I would love to see Dave officiate a game.

We have a local official named Mike Eden who has some of the best mechanics I've ever seen. And he's a great guy, too.

Also, NFL: #85 Hochuli. And the NHL: Ray Scapinello.

That would be Tony Brown. He says he owes it all to genetics and "Chick fil-A" :D

I have a few, but my top 3 for NCAA is:
Donnee Gray
Reggie Greenwood
Ted Valentine

My Favorite NBA Refs:
 

There is this one Ref who is short, combs his hair to the back and runs on his toes and maybe is Italian. He makes officiating look effortless, has good presence and is always serious.

Joey Crawford: always smiles and interacts with the players well and knows the game.


Dick Bavetta: Not good on looks but has that been there, done that approach, because he's been in the league a while and everyone knows it and respects him.

Danny Crawford. Too cool for words.

Z

Woodee
 

Sounds like Scott Foster to me!

Two things.
 

Danny Crawford in the NBA. Never changes his facial expression or body language despite what is going on around him.

In the NCAA Men's side, I have several. Ed Hightower I have liked from day one. The way he handles the game, the respect he gets from players and coaches.

Teddy Valentine because he takes little crap.

Ted Hilary, he should calls his game.

Peace

Hey Rut
 

Do you think Ed Hightower supported Ted Valentine during the famous Bobby Knight game? Or did you see another side of him. I haven't looked at Ed Hightower the same since that game.

Wasn't good all the way around.
 

I did not see the game. I have no idea and neither does many here. I know the year after that happen, Ed Hightower (at an IHSA Rules Meeting) talked about it and was very supportive of Teddy in his comments and did not have the same words toward Knight. I think that situation was a no win for anyone that officiated that night. So I cannot honestly give an opinion about that, because I did not see all the situations that developed. I for the most part have seen the famous shot where Knight walked by Valentine while walking off the court. I know Tommy O'Neil said at his camp during the classroom session, "it is not the responsibilty of the non-calling officials to calm down an irate coach." So if that is what you are refering to, maybe that is why neither Tommy or Ed did things that others wanted them to do? The bottom line is it appears that it was not a good situation for any of them.

Peace

Hey Rut
 

Isn't it true that Ed Hightower was the "only" one in the crew who did not get punished. Did you ever read about the out burst between Ted Valentine and Ed Hightower in the locker romm? Also, I have a picture that shows Ed Hightower consoling Bobby Knight. I know I would love to have Ted Valentine as a partner, seems to me he will have his partners back!

Re: Hey Rut
 

The only punishment I know of that came out of that game was the comments Valentine said to Referee Magazine. I am not aware of any other situations that game out of that game.

I have no clue what happen specifically that night. I heard that was the perception others got out of the game, but I have never seen or had that explained. I think Hightower like many other offiicals try to calm down a coach from getting further Ts. I have done this myself for most of my career and have been taught accordingly. But I am beginning to back off from that philosophy.


Well I saw both up close and personal at the Big Ten Tournament this past year. Both are very good officials and do a good job. I have watched Hightower at the last 4 tournaments alone. This year was the first time I ever saw Valentine in person. I would go to war with both of them. I think both are at the top of the profession and are well respected by both coaches.

Peace

Favorite Official: Violet Palmer. With Nan Fink and Melissa Barlow running a close second.

I'm surprised no one said Billy Crystal, or whatever that character's name was. Don't we all dream of tossing Magic Johnson?!?

Hey Rainmaker.....................
 

It was Scott Foster who tossed Magic Johnson and he almost lost his life trying to get to the locker room after the game.Everybody and their mothers were throwing stuff at him on his way to the locker room. After the smoke cleared Magic Johnson said he deserved to get tossed for bumping Scott Foster!

Mickey Gordon (played by Billy Crystal) is my favorite from the "I only play a ref on TV" category. Just a classic line:

It was Kareem's farewell game.

I believe there was a neat scene where he called a travel on Barkley and waved off the shot like an early Steve Javie.

Barkley looked/stared him down like he's known for. Neat scene.

It's a good movie - the approach they take with the movie basically being a dinner conversation stroll down memory lane is interesting.

[Edited by JugglingReferee on Jun 11th, 2003 at 08:04 AM]

Juulie,

Do you mean Nan SISK? ;)

You mean the announcers on tv are so bad that they can't even pronounce her name correctly?!?! Sheeezzz.... ;)

name of movie
 

I am having brain freeze...What was the name of the movie with Billy Crystal acting as the ref.

Re: name of movie
 

It was called "Forget Paris"

TerpZebra

Terp is correct.

See http://us.imdb.com/Title?0113097

Debra Winger is the leading lady. There are about 20 NBA players who appeared int he film, as well as a hockey player too.