When the Idaho Stampede hopped over to the D-League I felt that the biggest issue of the “entire” program was game officiating. I thought it was much improved last season (maybe because the calls were going the way of the D-League champs) but I think it has slipped again this season.

I can live with the occasional bad or blown calls (see Stamps v. Vipers in OT). I have more trouble with inconsistency, which rears it’s head from time to time but I can mentally write off as the inexperienced learning on the job (which is the definition of development).

However what REALLY gets me going are those refs that a) attempt to make every call when they aren’t in position to do so and b) those that go out of their way to antagonize players and coaches.

I don’t spend my money to see the refs. PERIOD. They should get in position, call what is front of them, work as a unit, be as consistent/fair as possible and keep it under control. If someone deserves to get run – run them as the last resort and be done with it.

Of course from Cuban to the Sports Guy this is common theme in the Association as well…so I don’t hold my breath.

You can tell that some of these young guns get caught up in the ego of the position and playing into what they think the official pooh-bahs of the NBA want. What the pooh-bahs want is what I want – a smooth game where the results are based on the execution of those playing it.