Adam Silver on Mike and Mike in the Morning.

[SHAQATTACK]

I seem to sense a change already in the refs .   I believe Stern had an unwritten policy to protect the stars and keep them in games.  People who didn't follow his preferences didn't get along when promotions and raises were handed out.

Silver seems to be his own man so far .   I'm pleased with his efforts.

I believe the current unspoken contract between Stern and his refs maybe let go.

It doesn't seem that Silver will continue the tradition of protecting the Stars to the point of stupidity that many games under Sterns seemed to take over the years.

Thanks MJ and Stern.

[D.o.s.]

Perhaps because you haven't been watching much of this year's playoffs, where fans have been loudly complaining about the dodgy officiating throughout the King's run?

I've actually watched quite a bit.  I live in Chicago.  Watched a ton of that Blackhawks/Kings series and obviously watched the Bruins when they were playing.   

Right, so then you'd agree that the level of individual player coverage isn't anywhere near what it is in the NBA.

Again, if everyone could see what every player was doing on every play as easily as they can in basketball, I don't think the NBA would have the reputation that it does.

[fairweatherfan]

I think the whole "Uou haven't been watching..." or the "You obvious didn't see this player..."  forms of debate should be outlawed on Celticsblog.

You obviously didn't see the thread where that phrasing led to a polite and well-reasoned dialogue where all posters involved gained a deep and abiding mutual respect for one another's knowledge and opinions.

...probably because it hasn't happened yet.

[nickagneta]

I think the whole "Uou haven't been watching..." or the "You obvious didn't see this player..."  forms of debate should be outlawed on Celticsblog.

You obviously didn't see the thread where that phrasing led to a polite and well-reasoned dialogue where all posters involved gained a deep and abiding mutual respect for one another's knowledge and opinions.

...probably because it hasn't happened yet.

All these years on CB, I miss one thread and you see what happens? LOL! TP fwf!!

[D.o.s.]

Its important to have a frame of reference when dishing out absolutes. 

[wiley]

My number one mantra to improve officiating would be; "Don't guess." 

I can live with missed calls so much more than I can live with made up calls.  I think basketball is probably the hardest sport to officiate.  So much goes on on every play.  The refs are going to miss stuff every once in a while.  I really can't stand it when they anticipate fouls and blow the whistle on fouls that don't actually occur, though. 

If a player drives to the hoop hard and it looks like he got fouled, but the ref didn't actually see the contact, hold the whistle and call it good defense.  For me, that's the biggest thing towards improving the game.  Don't anticipate fouls.   Call the ones you see.  Don't call the ones you don't see.

That's why I hate late whistles so much.  When a whistle is late, it is a strong indication that the ref didn't actually see the foul itself, but is reacting to the offensive player's falling to the floor or flailing his arms as evidence that he must have been fouled.

In short, I want to see them return to more of the classic "let 'em play" philosophy of refereeing the games.

Thank you!  This is exactly the problem, or the biggest one.  Taking care of this issue would also help deal with flopping, cut down on complaining about calls, keep the flow of the game going, etc...the players would be made to look stupid when they complain too much while play continues, or when they flop and play continues, as in both cases their actions would often cause their team to get scored on on the other end.  Yes, coaches will scream and yell about missed calls.  And the correct answer by the ref should be:  "I didn't see it."  End of discussion.