No More Superstar Calls From Referees?
Authored by Matt McCready - 17th October, 2007 - 3:49 pm
With the media and fans looking at officiating more closely than ever after the Tim Donaghy referee betting scandal, it remains to be seen if David Stern will inform his officials to call the games more objectively than ever before to ensure less scrutiny towards him, his officials and the league. To do so, we NBA fans might be looking towards the end of 'superstar' calls.
The NBA has advantages to creating stars more than any other professional league. It's a game that lends itself to individual expression; the fans are closer to the action than any other league and the players' faces are not obstructed by helmets. Thus, fans are able to identify with players and develop personal bonds instead of only following their specific teams. Ever since George Mikan banked in shots off of tin backboards in the fifties, the NBA has marketed their stars above all else. However, it took until the eighties for the formula to really take hold when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird captured the imagination of the country when the two of them combined for eight of ten championships that decade. Michael Jordan re-defined the term throughout the nineties, but the league has been devoid of that kind of star power since.
The marketability of its stars is something that the league cherishes. Before Johnson and Bird arrived, the league's stars were similar in stature and playing style to Mikan, dominating with their size. Bill Russell gave way to Wilt Chamberlain, who passed the torch to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The closest thing to a current prototype of NBA superstar - a player who dominates with athleticism, spectacular plays and skill - was Julius Erving. And the Doctor played ABA ball during his prime (needless to say he was still spectacular in the NBA). .
Shaquille O'Neal has been maybe the most dominant player since MJ retired (although much less so these days), and he has the out-going gregarious personality a star would need. Unfortunately while he does have the marketable personality, his game isn't one that's relatable to the average fan. While Jordan would amaze with his athleticism and inspire with his intense work ethic, Bird would inspire his everyman approach to the game and Magic would electrify crowds with spectacular playmaking, Shaq would typically overpower his opponents with his supreme size. Not to say that Shaq isn't talented, but it's hard for kids to idolize someone who is strictly the biggest. And at the office water coolertalk would rarely be bumping of Shaq's dominating post defense the night before.
The attempts by the league to create the 'next superstar' haven't been successful as well. Kobe Bryant was never truly the best player on a championship team.
Allen Iverson is a polarizing figure who alienates many with his sense of style and (mostly taken out of context) views about 'practice.'
Penny Hardaway and Vince Carter were derailed by knee injuries.
The idea of protecting the star players is nothing new, but with the lack of a true superstar to carry the league, the amount of players who have received 'superstar' calls has risen exponentially. With the increased scrutiny, will David Stern decide that the game should be called evenly for every player? And if so, whose game would be altered the most by different calls?
Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas was one of the league's least efficient scorers from the field last year. He was fifth in the league in field goal attempts per game last year and had by far the worst percentage (41.8%) from the field of those five. Actually, you'd have to go all the way down to 31st on most attempts per game (Knicks' guard Jamal Crawford at an even 40) to find somebody worse. So how did Gilbert average over 28 points per game then? Well, he did go to the line nearly ten times a game, and that will help. If the refs really do crack down on superstar calls then Agent 'Zero' could start to have that numerical value to his team's success.
Allen Iverson
Iverson has earned the respect of referees over the years with his willingness to compete, constant attempts to take the ball to the basket and his ability to play through injuries. While he was prone to receiving the superstar calls more than anyone in the past, he's settling into more of a playmaking role with the Denver Nuggets . With Carmelo Anthony being counted on as the team's go to scorer, the effect on Iverson's game would be minimalized.
Bruce Bowen
There's a perception by some that Bruce Bowen is an overrated player. That if you put him in the wrong system, he'd look just as awkward as John Hollinger at a rave. They cite that his main defensive tactic is luring the offensive player into Tim Duncan. Well, they would at least have to concede that he's very good at that and, of course, hitting open threes from the corner. That aside, the reason he's on this list is that the referees seem to give him preferential treatment when it comes to defensive touch fouls. Never was this more evident than during the world championships when he was called for more personal fouls than Oliver Miller at a pizza lunch buffet. If referees decide to stop giving veteran players preferential treatment, Bowen would be one of the players hit hardest.
Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant
Shaq's sidekicks of past and present are also recipients of the referees’ quick whistle. However, Kobe uses superior size and strength to finish inside and doesn't rely as on quickness and finesse like Dwyane does. However, Wade's youth, charisma and Artis Gilmore good looks probably make him the closest thing to the 'new Jordan'. Even the newest most prominent member of the Mavericks dance pak complained about the calls going in the way of Wade during the 2006 NBA Finals. Considering he's already battling injuries and he plays at such a reckless pace, it'll be interesting to see whether Wade could be slowed by having to change his style of play, his body breaking down or referees.
Tim Duncan
No longer will the league's most dominant post defender get away with that flagrant laughing.
Will the change in NBA officiating change as drastically as I outlined here? I highly doubt it. The NBA is still a business and will need it's superstars to maximize its profits. The officials are still men, and they'll continue to respect the hard work of Bruce Bowen and other NBA veterans. The status quo will probably stay the same, but Stern better hope that there isn't any more fallout from this scandal or we might see some serious changes on the court and off.
Authored by Matt McCready - 17th October, 2007 - 3:49 pm
With the media and fans looking at officiating more closely than ever after the Tim Donaghy referee betting scandal, it remains to be seen if David Stern will inform his officials to call the games more objectively than ever before to ensure less scrutiny towards him, his officials and the league. To do so, we NBA fans might be looking towards the end of 'superstar' calls.
The NBA has advantages to creating stars more than any other professional league. It's a game that lends itself to individual expression; the fans are closer to the action than any other league and the players' faces are not obstructed by helmets. Thus, fans are able to identify with players and develop personal bonds instead of only following their specific teams. Ever since George Mikan banked in shots off of tin backboards in the fifties, the NBA has marketed their stars above all else. However, it took until the eighties for the formula to really take hold when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird captured the imagination of the country when the two of them combined for eight of ten championships that decade. Michael Jordan re-defined the term throughout the nineties, but the league has been devoid of that kind of star power since.
The marketability of its stars is something that the league cherishes. Before Johnson and Bird arrived, the league's stars were similar in stature and playing style to Mikan, dominating with their size. Bill Russell gave way to Wilt Chamberlain, who passed the torch to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The closest thing to a current prototype of NBA superstar - a player who dominates with athleticism, spectacular plays and skill - was Julius Erving. And the Doctor played ABA ball during his prime (needless to say he was still spectacular in the NBA). .
Shaquille O'Neal has been maybe the most dominant player since MJ retired (although much less so these days), and he has the out-going gregarious personality a star would need. Unfortunately while he does have the marketable personality, his game isn't one that's relatable to the average fan. While Jordan would amaze with his athleticism and inspire with his intense work ethic, Bird would inspire his everyman approach to the game and Magic would electrify crowds with spectacular playmaking, Shaq would typically overpower his opponents with his supreme size. Not to say that Shaq isn't talented, but it's hard for kids to idolize someone who is strictly the biggest. And at the office water coolertalk would rarely be bumping of Shaq's dominating post defense the night before.
The attempts by the league to create the 'next superstar' haven't been successful as well. Kobe Bryant was never truly the best player on a championship team.
Allen Iverson is a polarizing figure who alienates many with his sense of style and (mostly taken out of context) views about 'practice.'
Penny Hardaway and Vince Carter were derailed by knee injuries.
The idea of protecting the star players is nothing new, but with the lack of a true superstar to carry the league, the amount of players who have received 'superstar' calls has risen exponentially. With the increased scrutiny, will David Stern decide that the game should be called evenly for every player? And if so, whose game would be altered the most by different calls?
Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas was one of the league's least efficient scorers from the field last year. He was fifth in the league in field goal attempts per game last year and had by far the worst percentage (41.8%) from the field of those five. Actually, you'd have to go all the way down to 31st on most attempts per game (Knicks' guard Jamal Crawford at an even 40) to find somebody worse. So how did Gilbert average over 28 points per game then? Well, he did go to the line nearly ten times a game, and that will help. If the refs really do crack down on superstar calls then Agent 'Zero' could start to have that numerical value to his team's success.
Allen Iverson
Iverson has earned the respect of referees over the years with his willingness to compete, constant attempts to take the ball to the basket and his ability to play through injuries. While he was prone to receiving the superstar calls more than anyone in the past, he's settling into more of a playmaking role with the Denver Nuggets . With Carmelo Anthony being counted on as the team's go to scorer, the effect on Iverson's game would be minimalized.
Bruce Bowen
There's a perception by some that Bruce Bowen is an overrated player. That if you put him in the wrong system, he'd look just as awkward as John Hollinger at a rave. They cite that his main defensive tactic is luring the offensive player into Tim Duncan. Well, they would at least have to concede that he's very good at that and, of course, hitting open threes from the corner. That aside, the reason he's on this list is that the referees seem to give him preferential treatment when it comes to defensive touch fouls. Never was this more evident than during the world championships when he was called for more personal fouls than Oliver Miller at a pizza lunch buffet. If referees decide to stop giving veteran players preferential treatment, Bowen would be one of the players hit hardest.
Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant
Shaq's sidekicks of past and present are also recipients of the referees’ quick whistle. However, Kobe uses superior size and strength to finish inside and doesn't rely as on quickness and finesse like Dwyane does. However, Wade's youth, charisma and Artis Gilmore good looks probably make him the closest thing to the 'new Jordan'. Even the newest most prominent member of the Mavericks dance pak complained about the calls going in the way of Wade during the 2006 NBA Finals. Considering he's already battling injuries and he plays at such a reckless pace, it'll be interesting to see whether Wade could be slowed by having to change his style of play, his body breaking down or referees.
Tim Duncan
No longer will the league's most dominant post defender get away with that flagrant laughing.
Will the change in NBA officiating change as drastically as I outlined here? I highly doubt it. The NBA is still a business and will need it's superstars to maximize its profits. The officials are still men, and they'll continue to respect the hard work of Bruce Bowen and other NBA veterans. The status quo will probably stay the same, but Stern better hope that there isn't any more fallout from this scandal or we might see some serious changes on the court and off.
