What % of the calls made by NBA refs are either totally missed, wrong or let go?

[Alleyoopster]

Over the past couple years it's been obvious that players like Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller got no sympathy from the refs. If a call appeared close, it almost always went against them.

Marcus Smart's quickness and tendency to flop has totally baffled the refs and many of us... especially on charge calls. This year he's cut back on the flopping and their judgement seems to have improved.

Isaiah, had similar issues. Oftentimes he'd create contact (when shooting the ball) and the refs tended to give the foul to his opponent. Other times, he'd get creamed when going to the hoop and they'd be a no-call.

This year Kryie seems to be on the losing end of many of the refs' decisions. This includes both offensive and defensive calls.  (Maybe he just complains more? Thus, it's more obvious.) I haven't been able to determine which other player(s) the refs are regularly making poor calls against. Maybe some of you have noticed a pattern?

We don't talk a lot about it. But, these missed calls, wrong calls and non-calls surely affect the outcome of a lot of games in the NBA. The good news is the refs have been consistent in the arbitrary nature of rule enforcement. And, to be fair they do get a lot of calls right.

One of things I find most annoying is that refs seldom over-rule each other even when everyone in the building can see a particular call is wrong. On the positive side they do collaborate when they are not sure about something.

What's interesting, is that since the implementation of the no-arguing-with-the-refs rules implemented a number of years back, most players go with the flow with these frequently made bad calls or no calls. I applaud the players and coaches who don't waste a lot of energy worrying about them.
 

[keevsnick]

I may be in the minority here, but in general I think the referees are pretty good. They have a very tough job. Sitting here we have the benefit of getting to see numerous replays slowed down to frame by frame speed and even then we cant always agree. Plus, it always seems worse when you have a rooting interest. The one thing that does both me is super star calls, the game should be played the same way regardless of star status, but that's more of a league issue (I think its a directive). Overall, there are always gonna be some missed calls, but it seems more often than not the missed calls even out in the end (maybe on purpose via make up calls). I would also like to see refs swallow there whistle a little more in the home stretch of games, and also DON"T GO TO REPLAY FOR EVERY INSTANCE OF CONTACT, a flagrant foul should be FLAGRANT, if you have to replay it to decide its probably not flagrant.

[droopdog7]

Yeah, the most important thing is for refs to be consistent and fair.  Are they going to miss some calls?  Sure, especially when judged against super slo mo.  But I don’t think they miss as many as people think.  I’m not really bothered by the refs much at all.

As for certain players being picked on, don’t really think it’s true.  By and large, better players are better and thus force worse players commit fouls.  For instance, I don’t really think Lebron is favored by the refs.  He’s just that good, that big, that strong, that agile. 

[Chris22]

It depends on the player.

Lebron and Harden get to take three steps on every play.

[gouki88]

Yeah, the most important thing is for refs to be consistent and fair.  Are they going to miss some calls?  Sure, especially when judged against super slo mo.  But I don’t think they miss as many as people think.  I’m not really bothered by the refs much at all.

As for certain players being picked on, don’t really think it’s true.  By and large, better players are better and thus force worse players commit fouls.  For instance, I don’t really think Lebron is favored by the refs.  He’s just that good, that big, that strong, that agile.

Wow

[liam]

I may be in the minority here, but in general I think the referees are pretty good. They have a very tough job. Sitting here we have the benefit of getting to see numerous replays slowed down to frame by frame speed and even then we cant always agree. Plus, it always seems worse when you have a rooting interest. The one thing that does both me is super star calls, the game should be played the same way regardless of star status, but that's more of a league issue (I think its a directive). Overall, there are always gonna be some missed calls, but it seems more often than not the missed calls even out in the end (maybe on purpose via make up calls). I would also like to see refs swallow there whistle a little more in the home stretch of games, and also DON"T GO TO REPLAY FOR EVERY INSTANCE OF CONTACT, a flagrant foul should be FLAGRANT, if you have to replay it to decide its probably not flagrant.

I think they are generally good in most games. While they miss calls in all games they mostly seem fairly good unless their are "Superstars" involved. That last game against the Hornets had some crap calls for like the 1st 3/4 and that really bad offensive foul on Tatum in the 4th. The worse call this year was the no call on Hayward being knocked out of the air and having the bone knocked out of his leg.
NBA needs to add some challenges for coaches...

[CelticsElite]

Would be cool if in the future we replaced refs with robots. Players can wear sensors to detect contact, etc

[Celtics4ever]

For instance, I don’t really think Lebron is favored by the refs.  He’s just that good, that big, that strong, that agile.

Does that explain all the travels he gets away with?   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz7XG7_YRvo

Pretty clear he gets special treatment that has nothing to do with his size and strength but rather his star power.

[droopdog7]

For instance, I don’t really think Lebron is favored by the refs.  He’s just that good, that big, that strong, that agile.

Does that explain all the travels he gets away with?   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz7XG7_YRvo

Pretty clear he gets special treatment that has nothing to do with his size and strength but rather his star power.

You think he's the only guy that travels?  I mean, he has an incredibly high usage rate so of course he'll have his share of plays but do other players.

[droopdog7]

Yeah, the most important thing is for refs to be consistent and fair.  Are they going to miss some calls?  Sure, especially when judged against super slo mo.  But I don’t think they miss as many as people think.  I’m not really bothered by the refs much at all.

As for certain players being picked on, don’t really think it’s true.  By and large, better players are better and thus force worse players commit fouls.  For instance, I don’t really think Lebron is favored by the refs.  He’s just that good, that big, that strong, that agile.

Wow

I mean, I'm sure you hate lebron because he's a great player.  I get it.  But he's arguably the most gifted basketball player of all time (given his combination of physical attributed and basketball IQ).  He's just better than everybody.  He certainly doesn't need to have the refs in his back pocket to have all the advantages and get the results he gets.

[Rosco917]

I've been watching the NBA for longer than I care to remember, I've never seen the officiating worse than it is at present. At times I find the game almost unwatchable because the Refs have killed the flow of the game with fantom calls.

I understand calls can be missed, but calling a foul where nothing has occurred except aggressive D, are an insult to the game.

It's time to issue a certain number of challenges to coaches so obviously bad calls can be rechecked and reversed. (I know...the game flow is once again interrupted.)

Refs with a high number of reversed challenges should be sanctioned.