NBA Locks Out Refs

by Jeff Clark on Sep 18, 2009 5:32 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

NBA formally locks out referees (UPDATE) - CBSSports.com

The NBA formally notified the union representing its 57 active referees Friday that it was imposing a lockout, saying the rejection of its latest contract offer left "no choice but to begin using replacement referees."

If you thought NBA refs were bad before...

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GASP!

God forbid the league actually winds up with referees who make the right calls no matter what the name is on the back of the jersey! XD

by screwedupmaniac on Sep 18, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

music to my ears!

they are getting what they deserve, and the replacement refs can’t possibly be any worse.

by hpantazo on Sep 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

Who's the guy on this blog (Scotty?) who's always crying out about the refs?

I’d like to see him get hired on as a replacement ref to do a couple of preseason games. Now that’s entertainment.

by no kidding on Sep 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

When this happened before, if I remember correctly (which could be a stretch), the players weren’t too happy. But the officiating has been terrible. If the replacements are just consistent at both ends I’ll be happy. I’d also be happy if they excercise judgment in making some of tech calls. Players are emotional, it’s part of the game. Refs need to understand this and learn that the game isn’t about them and that they need to learn when to walk away.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Sep 18, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah get some of those NCAA Refs.

They don’t care who are. But what’s LeBron going to do without palming and Traveling?

by liamail on Sep 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

This could’nt be better. Shaq is already up in arms about this. I guess he thinks he might actually get called for chargeing now. Lebron for the Traveling and Dwade for Palming the ball, the Blazers for haveing 6 guys on the court at once. Boy this could actually be a good thing for the C’s. Stern will have the refs updated on the way he wants players and games to be called.

by oneflewover on Sep 18, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

i’m pretty sure the last time this happened – 1995 – it was a complete disaster. We sucked then so it didn’t matter, but it could be a real problem this year. it changes everything if they have inexperienced refs doing the games.

by cons on Sep 18, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Will Violet go over to Cornbread Maxwell's house and cook him some breakfast

she has time now

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Sep 18, 2009 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

Would you eat her cooking?

by thirstyboots18 on Sep 18, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I would eat your cooking

need me to give you my order? ;-)

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Sep 18, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I am a good cook, but.....

I don’t take orders! Come on over anyway…..always welcome….

by thirstyboots18 on Sep 19, 2009 7:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Kenny Mauer, Violation Palmer, Dick Bavetta, Bennett Salvatore, Eddie F. Rush, and Eli Roe… Could they finally be gone from our lives for good? Please?

I specializes in grammar fail.

by a tommy point on Sep 18, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Think of all the money the league will save on flying Bavetta’s crypt to league cities.

by CoachBo on Sep 18, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

The replacement refs will probably be worse—but not by much.
Instant replay, anyone?

by Brickowski on Sep 18, 2009 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Oh My God, No Joey Crawford and Dick Bavetta? WOW, THANK GOD!!!

by RTroy on Sep 19, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

How can they be worse?

by jesse_stoneham on Sep 19, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions

serious poll question: if the new refs were even worse than the old, would you want to get rid of all the old ones anyway??

YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

by wahz on Sep 19, 2009 1:48 AM EDT reply actions

how much worse can it get?

Kick the current bunch the curb. They stink.

Bring in a fresh batch that actually calls the rules in the book. I’ve rarely seen bad officiating in the NCAA games. That would provide a good starting point for permanent replacements.

by slamtheking on Sep 19, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Simplify the Rules

One thing the league could do is simplify the rules AND bnring them more in line with NCAA or international rules. Allow zones. Allow hand checking. Eliminate fouls for incidental contact. Put in instant replay with each coach having a set number of challenges. (The NFL system isn’t perfect, but generally it works well, IMHO.)

This would make it much easier to obtain replacement officials and easier for those replacements to call a good game.

by Brickowski on Sep 19, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

The league acted promptly because...

The league is acting as fast as they can to get the RepRefs in place. It DOES take some time to get the new refs acclimated, their bets down and numbered accounts set up.

by Dipper on Sep 19, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions