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Frequency of whistles rising early on with NBA's fill-in refs
By Rachel Shuster
After the first week of the NBA preseason, there is a decided difference in the officiating by the league's replacement referees.
Games are taking longer, in part because the fouls called and free throws attempted are the most in at least the last three preseasons the NBA's regular referees were working.
Compared to the first 21 games last preseason, fouls called are up 15.5%, free throws attempted are up 18.9% and games are taking six minutes longer.
Coincidentally or not, home teams had won 16 of the first 21 games (76%) through Wednesday. Over the past three preseasons, road teams won 57% (2006), 48% (2007) and 62% (2008) of the games.
The NBA would not directly respond to questions about the officiating but issued a statement from Joel Litvin, the NBA's president of basketball operations: "We are pleased but not surprised by the performance of our referees."
This is the first time replacement referees have worked since 1995. Retirement benefits are at the crux of this lockout.
"I can't say they're any better or any worse than what we've had," Washington Wizards coach Flip Saunders said.
Monday's Miami Heat-Detroit Pistons game was rough for referees Jeff Smith, Carlos Gonzalez and Ken Washington. According to The Associated Press, they did not whistle a play dead after an air ball from the foul line in the first quarter and had a lengthy delay in the fourth while reviewing video and huddling twice about ejections. Toward the end they also awarded free throws to the wrong player. Game time: two hours, 43 minutes.
Wednesday, the Boston Celtics lost 96-90 at the Houston Rockets in Hidalgo, Texas. Scott Twardoski, Marty McEachean and CJ Washington called 35 fouls on Boston, 40 on Houston. The Celtics had 55 free throws, the Rockets, 47. Game time: 2:43, tied with Monday's Miami-Detroit for longest entering Thursday.
Before the preseason, new Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace— a frequent recipient of technical fouls — expected a change in officiating: "A veteran official will listen to you. A lot of younger refs get more intimidated."
The league sent a memo to teams reminding that criticism of officials will draw "substantial" fines. Including Thursday's action, 39 of the 62 replacement referees had worked games.
Coaches try to be diplomatic.
The replacement referees are "learning. They're trying to get better," Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "It's not an easy game to officiate; even I understand that. …
"One thing I know, being in this league forever, we have the best officials in all of sports, without question. I know how difficult it is for everybody. Hopefully (the labor situation) gets settled and everyone benefits."
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These refs are calling the fouls the other refs don't call
Gotta love the pussification of america, what ever happened to no blood no foul? These games are gonna last longer then the indy 500 with these annoying touch fouls.
Just evolution, lil.
Sounds good enough to me, let the old refs go and let's get on with REAL sportsThese refs are calling the fouls the other refs don't call
wait a minute, we no longer have "the best officials in the world"
dj augustin had 18 ft in a game!!!!!!!
Which means one thing:
Augustin > > > Wade
I have a feeling basketball might completely suck this year. Thank god for football and hockey
how can anyone complain about the new refs?
The normal nba refs sucked and should almost all be fired. Refs doing superstar treatment, "I owe you for that last bad call", and "I better slow down the momentum of this one team so they don't blow out this other team before half time" was ruining Professional Basketball.
Give them time, they're still learning which players they are not supposed to call fouls on.
Your 4 & my 15 withstanding.
tee, hee.
and we thought kobe got all the calls before.....now anybody who looks at kobe will get a foul
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