Let's Go To The Videotape ...
 

Notifying the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the
game.

The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address
an official on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information, if it is
done in a courteous manner.

A captain may request a defensive match-up if three or more substitutes
from the same team enter during an opportunity to substitute.

The free throw(s) awarded because of a personal foul shall be attempted by the
offended player. If such player must withdraw because of an injury or
disqualification, his/her substitute shall attempt the throw(s) unless no substitute
is available, in which case any teammate may attempt the throw(s) as selected by
the team captain or head coach.

The free throws awarded because of a technical foul may be attempted by any
player of the offended team, including an eligible substitute or designated starter.
The coach or captain shall designate the free thrower(s).

Seeing Is Believing ...
 

I will not disagree with the philosophy, but how about a citation, please?

I am pretty sure that the rules allows the captains to do specific things. In practice we do not always speak to officials just because they are a captain. I will speak to the "leader" whether they have the title or any player that is respectful for the most part.

But I do ask for the speaking captain just so I can tell who the coach considers more of their leader.

Peace

I get your point Billy but there is a difference between what the rulebook allows and what actually happens during typical game. (Slight exaggeration added below).

Literally no one has ever done this.

I'll let any player address me if done in a courteous manner.

No player has ever asked for this.

Head coach always chooses.

Head coach always chooses.

At least two of those (notifying captains; asking for a match-up) are incorrect.

And, at least a few times a season, the captain can come in handy to help deal with a different player. It especially seems to help get the message across when you use the first name.

We use the "speaking captain" more as a liaison between us and his/her teammates, not the only person on the team that can speak to us. That doesn't mean we won't talk to any of the players, but some times things happen in which we'll go to the "speaking captain" for help.

Take a situation in which a player is getting frustrated and could become a problem. We'll try and talk to the player, but the player clearly doesn't want to listen to us. In that case we'll go to the "speaking captain" and tell them to calm their team mate down. Sure, we may go to the coach instead or in addition to the "speaking captain", but there are cases in which having one "go to" player can come in handy.

I have a much easier time picking out the actual leader on the floor than remembering which players were captains before the game started.

I'll start asking for the speaking captain when A) they change the rules to allow only the speaking captain to speak, or B) there's a coin flip. Till then, seems utterly pointless. Frankly, the entire captain's meeting seems pointless, but the rules call for it. And of course, if your particular Rome calls for asking for the speaking captain, then ask.

Agree. Speaking captain? Who cares. I don't ask and if I have a partner who does ask, I'll have forgotten it by the time the captains meeting is over.

I just fulfill the requirement by asking "Who's speaking for red?"

I agree. I do not care to remember honestly beyond asking initially. I do sometimes write it down in the book and that is about it. It is mostly ceremonial so they feel like we are doing our job or give them importance, but it is really not that important to me.

Peace

Wrong. I notify the captains before every toss I make.

Isn't that outlined in the Mechanics Manual as part of the proper procedure???

I'll get dinged for that one, unless one considers blowing my whistle as notifying the captains. :)

Because walking to the center circle with the ball in your hand is not signal enough that the game is about to start?