Re: Ref's rights and making the right call.

["David J. Boutte" <dajubo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think its impossible to say that Henderson's error cost the Nuggets the game. Why? I didn't see the game, but in order for that call to have decided the game, it would have to be that every other single decision by the refs in that game---calls or noncalls---was correct, which I find hard to believe.

-David

-----Original Message-----
From: Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Feb 27, 2004 10:10 PM
To: celtics@xxxxxxxx, Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Ref's rights and making the right call.

First, a moment of background in case you missed it:  last Wednesday night, 
near the end of a game between the Denver Nuggets and the L.A Lakers, with 
Denver leading 111-109.  The Nuggets barely averted a shot clock violation, 
and had secured the rebound off the miss, but referee Michael Henderson 
blew his whistle.  The whistle was ruled "inadvertent", and a jump ball 
called between Shaquille O'Neal and Nene Hilario.  Guess who won the 
tip.  The Lakers made a three point shot with three seconds left and won 
the game.

On Thursday, Stu Jackson officially acknowledged the call was blown, though 
he pointedly stopped short of admitting that the error was directly 
responsible for costing Denver the game.  Henderson was suspended for three 
games.

Today, other officials--including those working the Celtics/Raptors game on 
ESPN--protested by turning their shirts inside-out and stenciling 
Henderson's #62 on their backs. NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik issued 
a statement that any refs participating "will be subject to appropriate 
discipline."

I can understand other refs supporting their guy--but if a player, coach, 
manager, or owner made that kind of protest, a fine would be a dead 
certainty.  I hope they follow through here.

I also don't think the refs are right in their assertion that the penalty 
was too severe.

NBA refs have the sweetest deal in sports.  If you look sideways at them 
during the game, BANG--out you go.  God forbid you should have anything 
whatsoever negative to say AFTER the game--you can expect to be fined 
thousands of dollars for expressing a negative opinion.

In return for this de facto declaration of infallibility, we have every 
right to expect them to hold to a higher standard.  Frankly, I don't think 
Granik went far enough.  The game should have--in some manner or 
other--been replayed, or the Nuggets declared the winner.  I also think the 
whole notion of these automatic fines for criticizing refs should be tossed 
out.  The quality of officiating in the NBA has dropped to the point where 
the Official's union has been citing the high turnover in their membership.

Oh, I'm sorry--they're not incompetent, they're just inexperienced.

So why the hissy fit by the league when they keep blowing calls?  Take the 
steps necessary to remedy the problem, and put a more open system in place 
to address problems when they arise.

For some time, many people looked askance at the likes of Mark Cuban and 
Tommy Heinsohn.  Now they look in bemusement as their complaints are echoed 
across the NBA.

Henderson DID cost Denver the game.  Deal with it, or come playoff time, it 
might happen again.

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website