NBA Finals Officials

[Victor74]

I'd put the following into the Finals
17 Joey Crawford (crew chief)
43 Dan Crawford (crew chief)
13 Monty McCutchen (crew chief)
48 Scott Foster (crew chief)
9 Derrick Stafford
24 Mike "Duke" Callahan
57 Greg Willard
55 Bill Kennedy
41 Ken Mauer
14 Ed Malloy
23 Jason Phillips
49 Tom Washington
alternates: 33 Zach Zarba and 10 Ron Garretson

To answer someone's question of why not Leon Wood in the Finals, I don't believe he is ready. Generally, Finals officials are also crew chiefs, which Leon Wood is not. And the pool of officials for the Finals can and does change every year based on who the twelve best officials are. Ron Garretson has fallen out of favor since his Finals appearances.

I didn't consider Marc Davis because of his involvement in two technical foul (one being Rajon Rondo's rightful ejection) situations. He comes across as quick with the whistle and a bit over zealous with a slight ego. I also didn't consider Bill Spooner because in games he serves as crew chief, he appears to let things get to the point they can get out of control (lacking game management).

I put Zach Zarba in as an alternate because I recognize what a great, young official he really is. I don't think he is ready for the Finals stage yet but will gain a lot from serving as an alternate. I expect within two years, he'll get a Finals game. Ron I put in as alternate almost out of default. It could very easily have went to Tony Brothers.

No matter who is assigned the Finals, it is nice to see the NBA move from giving seniority a thought in who gets Finals. They now are recognizing the better officials and assigning accordingly. Not ten years ago, Dick Bavetta would be in the Finals just because he has been in the NBA longer than most any of the players themselves.