The Replacement Refs are Ridiculous

In 13 preseason games, we've seen an average of 57 fouls resulting in about 71 free throws a game.

I picked a random date last season (March 11) the games averaged 42 fouls and 50 free throws. 15 more fouls a game and 21 more free throws.

If the real refs don't sign a deal this is going to be an ugly NBA season. I wonder if the NBA is going to ease up on how much they fine players and coaches for criticizing the referees.

 

a) I doubt it, because if players/coaches are allowed to sound off about the replacement refs, it lends credence to the arguments of the regulars that they perform an "irreplaceable service."

b) A lot of the regulars suck rancid rotting moose dick as well. I've told some of my friends I'm starting to believe that major league sports should simply flush their officials about once every 5-7 years -- get rid of everyone and start over, bring up a whole new crew out of college or the minors. The officiating crews of all four major sports are packed with these old fossils who have been around forever, and keep getting brought back on sheer name recognition and inertia.

 

Comparing the first 13 preseason games to a 'random' date in the middle of March is absurd. The game is played totally differently, and in the preseason, it's often played by players who will be nowhere near the roster in March, or even early November.

 

What's so hard about being a replacement ref? All they have to remember is not to call fouls on the big star.

 

They're so much inferior to Joey Crawford running around showing everybody what a tough guy he is?

 

As long as they're not calling for traveling then I see no difference between the replacement refs and the "real" refs.

 

THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE AMERICAN PLAYERS DON'T PLAY THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY!!! [/Brian Griffin, Eurotrash player agent]

 

They are terrible and really are a lot worse than the real ones. They were horrendous during real games in 1995, although those refs were pulled from a different pool. But the results look like they'll be the same.

 

Too drunk to remember officiating any basketball games.



Sorry Ma...forgot to call that foul!

 

Yeah, but their Tim dusted the refs':

 

In two preseason games in Detroit, we've had:

1) The Pistons make two free throws, only to have the officials realize that they sent the wrong guy to the line. The second guy then had to shoot them, and missed both.

2) Ersan Ilyasova get fouled on a jumper. Refs ruled it a 2-point attempt, and he missed both shots. Three stoppages and 90 seconds later, they decided it was a 3-point attempt and had him shoot another free throw. He made it, only to have the Pistons point out that you can only correct that mistake within 24 seconds, so they took the point back off the board.

In 21 seasons, I've never seen the refs have this much trouble with simple calls. As for the number of fouls being skewed because of junk players, they called 19 fouls in the first quarter tonight, when both Detroit and Milwaukee were using rotation guys. That's one every 38 seconds.

 

Stan Van Gundy fined $35,000 for ripping officials.
Larry Brown’s $60,000 for his criticism
Lionel Hollins gets hit for a $25,000 fine.

The Magic, Bobcats and Grizzlies have to pay a total of $85,000 on top of the coaches fines.

This is going to be ugly.