Letter to the NBA: Publish General Statistics re: Referees' Performance

[TheGreenThumb]

Hi Celtic Nation!

I sent the NBA an e-mail demanding that the NBA release some annual statistics with respect to NBA Referee performance as a form of accountability to its fans.

I suggested some summary statistics on referee performance that should be published at the end of each season.  Does the NBA already publish such statistics?  If so, where can it be found?  If not, what other statistics on referee performance would you demand that the NBA release to the public?

Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent.

"If the NBA says that its referees are the most measured and metricized group of employees then we, as paying NBA fans &/or basketball aficionados, demand that the NBA release an annual general report after each season on the statistics gathered about NBA officiating.

*  Who are the top 10-15 referees in terms of performance?  I understand that it is not to the best interest of the referees to expose those who rank at the bottom of the performance scale, so we'll concentrate on the best ones.

*  Which games were officiated by these top 10-15 officials.  Did all the NBA teams benefit from their relatively good officiating?  Or did only a select number of NBA teams get the benefit from their officiating.

*  What is the total number of identified "bad" calls made against each of the NBA teams?

*  Likewise, what is the total number of identified "favorable" calls made for each of the NBA teams?

*  How many "bad" calls made during the season influenced the outcome of the NBA game?  What are the total counts of such "bad" calls per team for the season?

*  What is the total number of "favorable" calls made for the players at the top of the NBA spectrum, the stars that the NBA cuddles _ LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, etc?  Include the number of traveling, palming the ball violations, offensive fouls, etc. that these stars have committed but were not called or called against the opposing players.

*  Likewise, what is the total number of "bad" calls made against the players towards the bottom of the NBA spectrum, the new &/or lesser known players in the league?

To the NBA:  prove to us via your annual reports that your officials are well trained ... that they do a relatively good job as you claim them to do ... and that they don't have any biases for / against any player or team!

As paying NBA fans &/or basketball aficionados, I believe it is our right to demand accountability from the NBA League with respect to this critical issue _ the performance of your referees."

[bruinsandceltics]

Its all good and well and I love that you took the time to write that but this is the NBA were talking about. The refs are their pawns in the league and its going to be that way until we get a new commissioner.

TP for the effort but you aren't going to get results.

[Rondo_is_better]

When I initially saw your proposal, I was skeptical, but after reading it, I'm a little less put off by it. Still, I think your asking a little too much of the NBA. Stern or no Stern, that is a LOT of statistics to track, and I don't think they do track the star calls vs. newbie calls, so your proposal isn't likely to be received in a positive light. They're not looking for more work.   

[Cman]

Jeff posted a link to a site that compiles referee statistics.  I spend about 5 mins searching for it, but couldn't find it.  If anyone does, please post again!

[TheGreenThumb]

The NBA sends out a standard letter to those who comment on officiating.

To quote the NBA's response: "We take seriously the actions of our officials.  They are the most measured and metricized group of employees in the world."

So I assume that they evaluate and grade the officials on each of the games they officiate.  As to what level of detail, I don't know. But they must have a database of information from which they can publish some after-the-season reports.

The reports I suggested are most likely to a level of detail they do not track.  But out of frustration with the officiating we've seen this past year, I just wanted to make a point with the NBA!