Not apathy; our posts are not apathetic. Nihilism. Things will not improve because the league wants star players getting star treatment; refs like Bavetta "make games exciting" by making sure the games are close; and to top it all off, bad reffing gets the NBA exactly what it wants. So here we are with some half-assed "points of emphasis" that will only be applied to non-stars, and will be entirely forgotten in the playoffs.
Besides the reason for this entire thread was to shed light on the fact that it is the REFEREE'S fault that flops are being called. I think It served that purpose.
More like choosing your battles. Great refereeing idealism might be closer to a reality at high school/college level where less of the inmates run the asylum. Trying to create a corps of integrity and excellence between the NBA and the referees union when they're one step from the WWE is a tall order.
Dviss, I value your opinion, and I don't doubt that you're right about the refs being lazy, but I also think that the NBA mandates superstar treatment. I think it comes from the top down. That's just something I've seen over the years.
Which is probably why NCAA is the highest level I would take my officiating. They make just as much money and NO star treatment.
Now, if this would be seen by the public in any way I of course would certainly word it more professionally.
See what I mean? That's why they should simply be punished with the Ignore button. Then they lay on the ground and experience the detriment of: A. On "Defense" being out of position on defense by flopping on a charge. B. On "Offense" being out of position, out of bounds, or on the ground with nowhere to go needing to make a dangerous pass. Treat him like a whiny child (my son says the flopper is saying "Help me ref! Help me!") and ignore him. At that time he may do 1 of 2 things depending on if he is a smartass or not: A. Complain about the charge B. Ask a question as to whether or not he was charged. In both instances you should say: "Take the hit and don't flop." If his coach says something to you you say: "He needs to take the hit. The offense needs to go to and through." The player will self adjust because of what you told him and conversely, you have also informed the coach on how that call is going to be called for the remainder of the game. THEN... Do your job. Do your best to always call that call the same way. Be consistent. The player will then be coached differently because flopping simply puts you out of position. You can't play D with your toes aimed at the ceiling. You may have a flop after that but just treat it accordingly. Ignore it. You will take flopping (lying) out of competition and you will see our game played with more dignity and purity. I do it all the time.
Bavetta should have moved across the key to the Lead position Should have been there right around the time Harden rebounds the ball or a half a second later. Then he would face his view toward Blake and Harden. He would be able to see through the defenders and realize that Harden was marginally touched. Out of bounds. Clipper ball. Come up STRONG with your mechanic pointing the other way.
