Morey ahead of the game, league's integrity compromised

I think the league prefers its referees to be the way they've always been. That's one area they'd rather not modernize much. Sure, they added a third ref and brought in instant replay for certain things, but they also like the idea that it's this semi-secretive group of professionals who are all doing the best job they can possibly do. Most importantly, they're all above suspicion. Consequently, anything that calls any of that into question must be stamped out.

The NBA has no problem with modern technology and analytics when it comes to tracking players, just don't study the refs! There's no need, we assure you! Don't start poking around where you don't belong!

 

I can't watch the video right now. Does it really say that the league disallowed providing ref analytics information to players? That is strange. Maybe they don't want that data to leak out to the public, and they are worried this will happen if given to players.

 

I think it's simply if someone studies that info at that level it will expose that the NBA Refs are even worse then realized and NBA doesn't want to risk that getting out.

 

I find it fascinating that the NBA is the only major sports league in the US that has any suspicion at all about officials having it in for certain teams and/or players.

The NFL is more known for occasional blown calls, sometimes in critical situations (Mike Renfro's non-TD, the Saints no-PI call), but no instances of a ref usually officiating a certain team or player differently.

Some MLB umps are notorious for having strike zones that don't match up with reality, but they are consistent during a game. Some pitchers or hitters are better suited to take advantage of it, but that's more a matter of playing style than favoritism. Umpires can also have short tempers when it comes to taking flak, but again, that never seems to be against a particular team for more than a single game where they're complaining too much.

I don't follow MLS or the NHL closely, but I think I would have heard something if they had a ref problem there. International FIFA is more likely to have this problem, since deep-rooted nationality plays a huge part in the sport and probably surfaces in the refs from time to time.

 

Don't forget that's my opinion so not really doesn't apply but you can disagree with my opinion.

Also, sure players have always done that informally but not with detailed data science reports being generated and curated. At that level, incompetence would be magnified and that's what the league is terrified of because the league knows the refs are actually worse than people currently believe. Also, that level of detail analysis could expose trends and patterns that would support Donaghy's claims and uncover some nefarious scheme the refs are pulling either individually or on behalf of the league.

 

And the league hits back and gives us Foster.

DD

 

Modern game needs more than 3 officials on the court.

 

I call BS. If the Rockets were using data like that no one would mention it prior to Richard Jefferson?

 

Yeah, because the speed and pace has picked up and 1 more official on the court could be the difference maker. In no other sport do I know any of the refs or umpires names, that alone should tell you how much referees effect the game. Naively, I wrote the NBA a letter (like that thread suggested) and in it i mentioned 2 possible solutions.
1) 4 officials
2) challenges replacing 2 timeouts
But none of this will effect this years games so but hopefully they make a change for the future.

 

Or just three that know what the hell they’re looking at

 

There's too much going on with constant rule changes in favor of offensive production and player protection, you cant expect the same 3 guys to keep it balanced. I've even read some people argue that 5 refs would be ideal so each can focus on one particular matchup. I'd be ok with that too. Whatever it takes for a properly officiated game.

 

The NBA should take the stats as good info for them to use... if they dont like it then thats very suspicious.

 

Morey bringing the big stick

 

nah its more like

 

It's true. They used to have Mark Wunderlich on payroll as a consultant.

 

C) The league doesn't want customers to take their dollars elsewhere because they're convinced by statistical evidence that the game isn't fair. Morey hurts team valuations by sharing this stuff.

Imo, they should put all the players in space-age suits that feed data into a game computer that tracks the positions of all players, all player-to-player contact, footsteps, ball position, and everything else they can think of, and just referee the game by algorithm.

 

D) The NBA used to be on tape-delay and needed Magic, Bird, and Jordan to save it and got hooked on fixing outcomes so that their favored teams AND star always win. Lakers, Celtics, Jordan and then Lakers, LeBron, and the Warriors. This is all they know and they look the other way as their refs game and point shave. As long as no one is the wiser, the money flows.