Being a referee is a thankless job

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

May 11, 2004

My dad is a referee. A few of my friends are referees. As a result of seeing them officiate games and speak with them about officiating, I've gained an understanding of just how difficult it is to be an official. First, the job is thankless. Very rarely, will someone say "Great call, ref." Fans don't like the refs. Players don't like the refs. Coaches don't like the refs. Does anyone (who is not a ref) like the refs? Personally, I simply ignore the refs; so, I don't know what all the fuss is about.

While watching the NBA playoffs, it's clear to me neither the players nor the coaches agree with any calls the refs make. Monday night in Game 3 of the Sacramento Kings - Minnesota Timberwolves second round series, Kings' forward Peja Stojakovic tried to hit a game-winning basket at the buzzer; but, Minnesota's Trenton Hassell defended him well. Hassell's tight defense, including deflecting the ball, resulted in a short shot attempt which resulted in the T-wolves victory. To me, Stojakovic initiated the contact on the play. However, to no one's surprise the Kings' players, coaches, and fans were screaming for a foul and questioning the no-call. In fact, Kings head coach Rick Adelman said, "I can talk all night about that last play, whether that's a foul or not. I thought it was. Obviously, the referee didn't. I feel bad for Peja because he deserves more respect than that."

Respect? Huh?

What does respect have to do with a foul being called on the play? Respect is a key factor which gets referees in trouble. It is widely perceived star players "get the calls" because of their star (re: respect) status. Veterans "get the benefit of the doubt" over rookies, etc.

Some people believe playoff basketball should be "no blood, no foul" while others believe basketball is too physical and the game needs to be officiated tightly in order to restore the flow and continuity to basketball.

Flow and continuity in today's NBA? Is that even possible anymore? Teams have to pass the ball; run the floor; and make shots to have flow in a basketball game. Therefore, by my definition, today's basketball is hardly a game of flow and continuity.

Game 3 of the Detroit Pistons - New Jersey Nets playoff series featured more fouls called (55) than field goals made (49). After the game, the Pistons griped about the refs "taking them out of their game" by calling all the fouls. Give me a break, guys. The refs didn't rush shots or have no ball movement on offense -- you did. The team shot less than 30% from the field not the refs.

I'm still amazed at the amount of griping and bitching everyone does about officiating. Heck, I've seen the Houston Comets complain about officials' calls in practices and scrimmages. Come on, ladies! The calls won't always go your way in the games that count; so, why get angry in a practice?

I am not saying the refs are perfect by any means. They make mistakes; but, they also make the correct calls more often than people are willing to admit. However, the refs should realize the fans did not spend their hard earned money to see fouls called every fifteen seconds or so. People don't want to see the "striped shirts" dominate the game. People want to see the players dominate the game.

The viewpoint of fans, coaches, and players is skewed anyway. No one wants to see a call go against them and in favor of the opponent. In Monday night's game, if Peja Stojakovic were defending Trenton Hassell instead of trying to score on Hassell, Rick Adelman would not have argued with the no-call one bit. I guarantee it. Ironically, coaches and players always say, "We don't want a foul call to decide a last second play. Let the players decide the outcome." During the last few seconds of a game, the refs usually "swallow the whistles"; however, as soon as one team feels "slighted" by a foul call or a non-call, that team cries and complains. You cannot have it both ways.

I am not saying I have never gotten upset by a referee. Far from it. When I was younger, I believed certain refs had personal vendettas against my teams; so, my teams were already in trouble before the game began. As I';ve gotten older (as well as becoming a member of the media -- we're supposed to be impartial), I don't get upset at all. The refs are human; so, they will make mistakes. I don't believe refs intentionally call things to favor one team over the other team; so, why should I feel like the sky is falling over a missed or a blown call? Life is too short. I'd rather enjoy the game -- warts and all.