Lowlights From 2009-2010

Last year was a really funny year, like there was a full moon out for entire season. I'll put these out there for comsumption, because we often hear about things like this, but unless you actually see them, you're not really sure if it is just people exaggerating or not...Going through my notes, hopefully none of you will be subject to or around any of this in 2010-2011:

1) I had a game last year where a partner, who refused to really run down the court, would actually look to the scoring table to ask whether a shot was a 3 or not. That might be funny, but when the opposing coach picked up on it, the table thought it was funny, and I got absolutely railed for it. The third guy on the crew basically said it was not his problem to help with, despite the fact that he was the L on that side, with the shots coming from the wing. Film showed 2 FGs were called 2's when they were 3's, and after the issue became "public", we made up for it by calling a 2 a 3. That's hard to do. Net result was visitor getting screwed out of 1 point; they won by 8.

2) Had an R was unable to hold a pre-game, and then proceeded to get called out by a U for the pre-game, the opening toss (which had to be performed 3 times because said U blew the first 2 dead because they were bad), missing a goaltend because he never crossed halfcourt, and the lack of a post-game discussion. The R apologized, then proceeded to rip U all the way home, after he was gone. Two lessons: There is no need to embarass an R, and if you are not capable of being an R, you're gonna get exposed. Disaster all the way around.

3) Had a partner scream, "Don't you signal in my area!" on a block/charge in my area. He proceeded to try and ignore what had happened, and offered, "Sorry if I offended you," when confronted. The film showed not only was it my call, but he got it 100% wrong.

4) Had a partner tell me he worked D-1. I was not impressed with the statement or his floor game. Google indicated he did work D-1: One exhibition game about 10 years ago. I guess he didn't stick...If a guy is bragging about his resume, it's probably as empty as his words.

5) Saw an alternate not point out a team foul error on a scoreboard, which caused a major game interruption and make the crew onthe floor look bad. In the post-game discussion, the guy actually said, "Oh, I knew the scoreboard was wrong!" That either made him a complete liar, or a complete dick. When he was asked, then why didn't you fix the scoreboard or communicate with the crew, it was pretty obvious he wanted the crew to look bad. Glad I was not involved. It was painful to watch and not strangle the guy.

6) Had a coach tell me that a "veteran" official told him during a game that a partner who made a mistake "did not belong on this game".

7) Watched a few people rail and complain about a partner, but then tell them how great they were to their face.

8) Seen people blatantly lie about the years experience they have, the games/tournaments they worked, camps they attended, and who mentors them. That's getting worse. I don't know why. Google doesn't lie.

9) Heard officials first-hand chatting about "getting" a coach, who is rumored to be on a short leash from the school regarding bench behavior. As an official, I think the coach is a dick on the bench. As a basketball observer and person, I think he is a good coach and a top-notch person who a a great leader for young men. Officials playing God is just messed up...

10) Had an official who had 3 whistles in an entire half decide to call a 3-point play with less than 1 second to go in the first half. Coach jumps me, as he was upset about a previous whistle from the same guy, and my answer was, "Your defender must have been under the basket." Coach was OK and calmed down with that, until the guy then decides to give a different explanation without being asked. That made the second half really, really fun for me.

11) Had a partner call a coach to apologize for missing a call late in a game. The partner does not realize that the coach now owns him, the other officials think he's a joke, and that if the coach really respected him, he would have gotten a phone call/e-mail from the coach about it afterwards.

Be honest and truthful, understanding and compassionate with partners, coaches, and players when you work with them, separate business from personal with respect to the game, and acknowledge and admit mistakes when you make them. None of us are as good as we think we are. Don't be one of these guys.