Sorry, David Stern.
I am apologizing in advance for what I am about to say, because as much as you would like the fans to pay no attention, we are going to be faced with the unprecedented reality of replacement referees when the Boston Celtics hit the floor to face the Cavs in Cleveland and open the NBA season next Tuesday.
I can understand how you and the other league execs might view this. It is the same way I did when I first read the story — why should we be rewarding people who are so awful at their job?
I'll even admit that the prospect seemed tantalizing at first, particularly when I first read the story that broke news of the ref lockout. This included the nugget that the Officials Union executive board, featuring the likes of Steve Javie, Bennett Salvatore and Joey Crawford, had voted against the latest offer presented by the league to bring them back into the fold. Javie, Salvatore and Crawford? This is like a murderer's row of suckiness.
The NBA refs are notoriously known as the worst in sports. For instance, Crawford is the same guy who was suspended in 2007 for allegedly challenging San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan to a fight on the court. And let's not forget to bring up Tim Donaghy, who bet on games in which he officiated. The NBA is probably the only professional league where you can you have refs making more headlines than players.
As someone who has an unabashed love affair with your league, Mr. Stern, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. I figured, hey, these guys can't be any worse than what we have been watching.
I was wrong. They can be a lot worse. I already saw 100 free throws attempted in a preseason game. Earlier this week, the new refs couldn't even enforce the most obvious of rules — the two-technical ejection. In a game that featured Euro League team Maccabi Tel Aviv and the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon refused to leave the floor after his second T. If the league has to have a rabbi at every game to help the refs out, there's a problem.
You can't expect that there will not to be a backlash. I am as critical of NBA referees as anyone I know. I can name almost every ref, and I have learned defining characteristics of a handful. For instance, I know that when Violet Palmer is on the floor the Celtics are going to lose. But even I realize that once your replacement refs are thrust into the spotlight and make calls that costs one team a game, the uproar will reverberate all the way to your cozy offices over on Fifth Avenue.
I saw how the league protected the officials last year, particularly in the playoffs. The NBA handed out so many fines for criticizing officiating that it could have paid off the entire New York Knicks' luxury tax. If the league was so careful to protect the integrity of officials that were deemed so easily expendable, can you imagine what is going to happen with these replacements?
Three coaches — Orlando's Stan Van Gundy, Charlotte's Larry Brown and Memphis' Lionel Hollins — have already been fined in the preseason for comments that were critical of the replacement refs' performance. Brown was also fined for "verbally abusing the officials." Verbal abuse? Really?
So, Mr. Stern, all I'm asking is that you heed my warning. The season hasn't started yet, but it is only a matter of time until everyone starts to blame the refs as opposed to Vince Carter for the sudden collapse of the Magic. Just as an example.
Bring back the old refs we know and love. At least that way I know what to expect when I watch the games. And I will make a deal with you. I promise not to criticize them when they are back in the fold.
Well, I promise to try. Old habits die hard, you know.
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Ethan Landy is a senior majoring in English. He can be reached at Ethan.Landy@tufts.edu.
