Good Call, Bad Call

Posted by Tammy Rasmussen on October 15, 2007

Ok, I’m sure to get some feedback but here goes. I asked my husband where they get some of the refs and he just kinda laughed at me. I don’t understand some of the calls. It’s hard enough when I’m trying to catch every play being made but then when a ref makes a call on one team and then totally ignores it with the other it raises questions.

I read that the NBA has between 60-70 referees. Now, my question. Is there a referee school? Not really. What I found is that the NBA goes around and watches the refs at college games. They then pick whom they feel are the top and then they have a ref camp where they go and continue to watch and learn. From there the better ones begin reffing for D league games and work their way up.

Obviously some aren’t learning as well as others. One calls traveling one doesn’t. One calls foul and again one doesn’t. I’m confused. I hear things like “stupid call ref, wake up”, or “what? Are you blind?” Now, I realize that as a fan you don’t want a foul called on your team even if they deserve it but, when a call comes out of the blue and even the opposing team states it was a bad call it raises eyebrows.

Recently I’ve heard in the news about a NBA ref by the name of Tim Donaghy who plead guilty to two felony charges in NBA betting scandal. While checking further I noticed that the FBI is checking in to several games that he officiated in last year which I believe was 13 games 5 which were Jazz games. It was also reported that Donaghy plans to give 20 names of other refs whom have allegedly participated in some sort of wrong doing.

So what happens if they discover that some of these games were officiated wrong? I’m sure there is nothing that can change the outcome of the game now but what if? I’m sure most refs really do try to make the best calls from what they see and I’m sure occasionally a call gets missed or a bad call is made but for those few that are making bad calls on purpose something serious needs to happen to them.

All it takes is a single call that can affect the outcome of a game and possibly prevent a well deserving team from going to or even winning the playoffs.

Something to think about don’t you think?

3 Comments

thisGuy on October 15, 2007 said:

The whole ref scandal definitely opened my eyes. Those mobsters are sure some bad dudes.

Linda McFarland on October 15, 2007 said:

I’m sure that sometimes what is seen on the floor is not the same as seen from the seats. I also believe that there are certainly some refs who are better than others!! After this last scandal I think refs will be a little more aware of what they are doing to prevent an FBI search of how and why they make certain calls. We can only hope they get better!!!!

eric on October 16, 2007 said:

In the 1st or 2nd game of the GSW series, does anyone recall when Richardson or whoever stepped on Kirilenko’s foot and the refs called a foul on Kirilenko?! That is really the worst call I’d ever seen! Some refs are better from others for sure.

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