NBA Official Keeps Spare Whistle in Pocket!

[JugglingReferee]

Antawn Jamison passes ball directly into referee?s face (VIDEO) | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports

[Adam]

As long as he's not switching it from one pocket to the other every time there's a change in the arrow.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

As long as he's not switching it from one pocket to the other every time there's a change in the arrow.

What if he switches whistles every arrow, and alternates which pocket keeps the spare?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

As long as he's not switching it from one pocket to the other every time there's a change in the arrow.

I still don't understand the antipathy towards this practice.

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I still don't understand the antipathy towards this practice.

Some people just have a constant desire to criticize other people for things that have zero effect on anything that really makes a difference.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by fiasco

Some people just have a constant desire to criticize other people for things that have zero effect on anything that really makes a difference.

And other people just have a constant desire to criticize those people for doing that.

Pot, meet kettle.

[letemplay]

One vote for the lanyard.

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

And other people just have a constant desire to criticize those people for doing that.

Pot, meet kettle.

And other people just have a constant desire to criticize people who criticize people who criticize.

This is a fun game.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I still don't understand the antipathy towards this practice.

The same as the antipathy for those who go without a lanyard, I suppose. Honestly, I think the whole thing is funny. I won't use the pocket trick, but I see a few JV officials in my area who do. Since I haven't inquired, I don't know if it's a bad thing or not here.

I would add facial hair to this category; things that don't really matter but can affect the image you present. Some areas don't care. Other areas, once you've established yourself it won't matter.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

The same as the antipathy for those who go without a lanyard, I suppose. Honestly, I think the whole thing is funny. I won't use the pocket trick, but I see a few JV officials in my area who do. Since I haven't inquired, I don't know if it's a bad thing or not here.

I would add facial hair to this category; things that don't really matter but can affect the image you present. Some areas don't care. Other areas, once you've established yourself it won't matter.

The alternating pocket trick comes into effect during Rec league season here. For HS games, its not needed as usually the table knows what they are doing or learn quickly after being corrected.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I still don't understand the antipathy towards this practice.

Because it is used as a crux for many officials to assume what the arrow direction should be pointed. And I have seen personally many officials that use this trick forget to move the whistle at all or at the right time. But they cannot make sure the arrow is being switched properly or remember when the last time we actually switched the arrow and why. If I had not seen it used in epic failure so many times, I probably would not be as adamant about the practice being silly. We are not football officials, there are not multiple things in our pocket as a normal practice to do our job. If I did not have to replace a whistle or lanyard, I would not even go into my pocket for anything during the course of a game. An AP situation can theoretically happen 10 times in a game and then you have a guy digging in their pocket and constantly have to adjust themselves and their pants just to fix their pocket properly.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

As long as he's not switching it from one pocket to the other every time there's a change in the arrow.

Hey? You talkin' to me? You gotta a problem with that? And what's wrong with wearing a black belt? And we point to the floor when a shooter is stepping on the three point line. You gotta a problem with that, too?

[Adam]

Well, if nothing else, he's proven he doesn't ball watch from C.

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Well, if nothing else, he's proven he doesn't ball watch from C.

I would hope he proved that a long time ago to get to where he is.

As for the facial hair, I always officiate clean shaven, but that's because I don't grow a good beard. I worked with a guy this past season who always has a beard, and he keeps it very neat. I know for a fact that he's well established in the community, so it may not matter for him. As others have alluded to, his officiating speaks for itself.

[letemplay]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

I would hope he proved that a long time ago to get to where he is.

As for the facial hair, I always officiate clean shaven, but that's because I don't grow a good beard. I worked with a guy this past season who always has a beard, and he keeps it very neat. I know for a fact that he's well established in the community, so it may not matter for him. As others have alluded to, his officiating speaks for itself.

A guy around here has the affectionate nickname of "Mr T", both for his bearded appearance... and his whack-a-thons