Should the NBA add another referee?

[fairweatherfan]

I agree; while the officiating quality often leaves much to be desired, what gets neglected is the fact that basketball, especially with today's big, fast, and savvy players, is really freaking hard to officiate.

That's a bigger copout than the competency argument.

You're telling me the messiah moves so fast that three of the world's best trained basketball officials simultaneously can't see him take 3-4 steps?

You're telling me that Wade, Rose, and Los Nash are so lightning quick on that initial dribble that three of the best trained basketball officials in the world can't see them palm the ball right in front of them at the same time?

I'm not trying to tell you anything, because I don't believe there's any argument or scenario that would even slightly alter your preconceptions.

[hpantazo]

I have talked to both Heinson and Bill Russell about this before, and they both think that the problem is that they have too many referees. They agree that ever since the NBA added a 3rd ref, the officiating has been bad.

[dark_lord]

I have talked to both Heinson and Bill Russell about this before, and they both think that the problem is that they have too many referees. They agree that ever since the NBA added a 3rd ref, the officiating has been bad.

im in the company of greatness

for the love of god....no!  sometimes less is more (this goes for the amount of refs and also not blowing the whistle so much)

[hpantazo]

I have talked to both Heinson and Bill Russell about this before, and they both think that the problem is that they have too many referees. They agree that ever since the NBA added a 3rd ref, the officiating has been bad.

im in the company of greatness

for the love of god....no!  sometimes less is more (this goes for the amount of refs and also not blowing the whistle so much)

LOL, I just met them each briefly once on separate occasions, and promised myself I would ask them at least one basketball related question instead of being too star struck to speak, so I asked them what they honestly thought about the current state of officiating in the NBA, and surprisingly they both said basically the exact same thing, that adding the 3rd ref has ruined it completely.

[aporel#18]

Yes, yes, 4 refs would allow Stern to put together a Dream (nightmare) Team: Joey Crawford, Bennet Salvatore, Dick Bavetta and Bill Kennedy... just wow

If the third referee was upstairs to make the review calls, two of them would be enough. As you have pointed, the real problem is the rule set, until they call the same way for stars, rookies and the rest, the NBA refs will be under suspect.

[GreenEnvy]

I don't know if the NBA would ever do it. But if it would help the game be called more consistently, I would definitely be in favor of it. On a related issue, how about having a referee upstairs for making the decision on plays that are being reviewed? Is there anything worse than being in a heated game, with only a minute or two left, and have to watch the on court refs fiddle and doodle on the monitor for ten minutes? Having a guy upstairs make the call would make everything go a lot more smoother.


I didn't read this thread when I made my post. But I just read it and see that some people have already discussed this issue. That's why I love Celticsblog!

As annoying as it is, I can think of one worse thing: the wrong call. I don't understand why all sports don't utilize an official reviewing all borderline calls. HR calls in baseball. Challenges in football. They can have a decision almost instantly instead of them leaving the field.

I have talked to both Heinson and Bill Russell about this before, and they both think that the problem is that they have too many referees. They agree that ever since the NBA added a 3rd ref, the officiating has been bad.

I cannot see that being possible anymore.

Back in the day, I doubt they were nearly as physical or creative with their handles to need to be watched like a hawk.

I don't know when they went to three, but even in the 80's, it got so physical that they couldn't call everything, so they let them play.

Now they are trying to stop the excessive contact, but they are unable to call it without anything close to consistency and regularity.

The three-second rules...the restricted area...are all relatively new rules.

It also doesn't help that all of these players flail and flop to further confuse them. Players like Manu and Fisher are awful.


Something definitely needs to be changed soon, because I don't know a single fan who is satisfied with NBA referees.