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In football (real football i mean) it is common, that refs when they make questionable decisions are approached by reporters and most of the time explain why they made the call at this moment.

I have a feeling that in football, the referees aren't as overprotected as in the NBA since players even get fined for criticisizing refs and the football leagues are more transparent, even though both NBA and numerous football leagues went through a betting scandal before, but that is besides the point now.

Refs don't sell tickets.

That would be a good idea.
So then when Stu Jackson or David Stern decide to discipline players based on their in-game actions, we'll know if it's out of their own agenda.

Terrible idea,

The tabloid press would just play to the local biases of the fans who don't want objective coverage.

because it distracts from the results, and there's nothing you can do about the call after it's made, especially after the game is over. Stirring more controversy by having refs misspeak or question themselves or another official in the media can serve no good.

I understand wanting to question the call, but I actually like that the NBA protects the refs. It enables the refs to make the calls they feel are right without having to fear being on ESPN later defending himself.

sp6r=underrated wrote:Terrible idea,

The tabloid press would just play to the local biases of the fans who don't want objective coverage.

???

No one would force the referees to answer the questions. I am also not talking about making press conferences for the refs, but just interviews outside their dressing room.
So if there was a questionable decision, the referee could just explain why he made that decision and what he was seeing at that moment.

I think something like this actually takes them out of the line of fire, even if it was a wrong decision they've made, viewers at least can follow the refs thought process.

Bad idea. Refs should have no pressure what so ever.

In european soccer, refs often justify a conroversial call in front of the press. They aren't roasted or anything, they just explain what they saw and why they made the call.

I think it's much better than an ambiguous 10 word statement from Stu Jackson. It could clear a lot of things up.

No one cares...

Not a bad idea, It would make me understand there view points on some horrible calls.

CB4_Toronto_Raptors wrote:No one cares...

Why post if you don't care? I think, given the controversy surrounding refing this postsean, that it's worth talking about.

Patterns wrote:Bad idea. Refs should have no pressure what so ever.

How is there any pressure ?

The interviews are not mandatory. It would just allow reporters to ask refs question outside the dressing room. They would not be forced to answer.

I wouldn't wanna be a ref

No one likes having to justify unjustified calls before the media. NBA Ref's are no different.

It's a fantasy that will never happen. Refs aren't to be heard or give their accounts of the game or calls. This would alter their entire positions as they would be playing to the media. The game is about the players. Next you'll want ushers and parking lot attendants interviewed.

i would like to know what bob dalaney was thinking when he called that offensive foul on ellis with 4 seconds left in the game to give the lakers the win, when he was the farthest official from the play and had a bad angle.

but yea, even if he does say something like "my bad"
its not going change the outcome and the only thing it will do is just piss the fans off even more.

I don't understand what kind of response you're expecting to hear?

Every ref will give the same statement when you question his judgement, "From where I was standing that was the correct call so I made it."

Something to that effect.


You're not going to get a candid response taking blame or apologizing.

the only reason to interview a reff would be because he made a bad call.. that is why they dont do interviews

They run home and watch the tape and laugh at all the missed calls they had.

sweet_jesus wrote:I don't understand what kind of response you're expecting to hear?

Every ref will give the same statement when you question his judgement, "From where I was standing that was the correct call so I made it."

Something to that effect.


You're not going to get a candid response taking blame or apologizing.

I am not even talking about them admitting any mistakes or stuff like that.

Just interviewing them and let them respond why they thought a certain call was made in a particular situation.

It would not even happen after every game, but more in games where the particular call in a close game situation actually mattered.

Something like

Reporter: "The blocking call on player B, which shifted the momentum, looked very questionable. How have you seen the play"

Referee: "The way I saw it in the situation, was that Player B had not set his feet and hadn't been in a defensive position at the moment of the contact. Therefore I called a blocking foul."

Just something like that.