I'm sure it will do little good but I just had to vent to someone about the absolutely awful officiating this season. I mean when the NBA is releasing statements acknowledging their referee screw-ups (http://www.nba.com/news/statement_040226.html ) and even the likes of "Goody Two Shoes" Ray Allen is being fined for critical comments, (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1744027 ) someone in the NBA upper echelon has to notice. Anyway, David Stern's official email address is dstern@nba.com if anyone else would like to join me in this sincere letter of complaint. I doubt Stern himself reads his emails but I'm sure the gist of subject matter reaches him in some form. My email to him was as follows: Mr. Stern, I am a long time NBA fan and watch and support more than one team through a subscription to NBA League Pass. I am also registered on NBA.com and access the site daily for news or to take advantage of features (i.e. fantasy games). I will keep this short and to the point. As I have watched numerous games throughout this year’s season, I can see a significant change in the way the games are officiated. The calls are extremely inconsistent in regard to foul calls and have hurt the game in regard to diminishing the talent of individual players. I have noted many occasions when blatantly bad calls have definitely affected the outcome of the game. This is a discouraging factor and a frustrating element pertaining to the game’s entertainment value. Recently, a statement was made acknowledging a bad call in the Denver vs. L.A. game. This statement did little to appease Denver fans, I’m sure. Also, I see that not only have the officials been making questionable calls (or no calls), but the NBA is very quick to fine players, coaches, and owners for complaining about the bad officiating. My observation as a fan is that the games are not called according to the official NBA rules and as this trend continues to worsen, I’m considering the possibility that the game is not worth my attention as it translates as unfair. Please Mr Stern, make some changes to the officiating process and quit fining players for their frustration because of errors the officials are making. Regards, <my name> Austin, TX Age: 36 Favorite Teams: Houston Rockets San Antonio Spurs Minnesota Timberwolves
I gotta say, that's a good letter. I too have League Pass, and they just mentioned that the NBA issued a statement that any referees participating in the show of protest today will be disciplined, probably a fine. The refs have turned their shirts inside out and wrote the number of that referee in the LA/DEN game who was publicly suspended 3 games by the league. I think this a good sign by the NBA that they're finally listening to the problems with the refereeing as of late. I think it is r****dED that the refs are protesting. It's total BS. Players and coaches can be suspended for lapses in good judgement, and so should referees. Stupid refs, just shut up and realize that you're not as untouchable as you used to be. I'm so glad that the NBA is finally requiring some accountability from the refs, who all too often change the momentum/outcome of games. It's not much so far, but it's a start. They should suspend all the refs who protested today for one game each. That'll send the message. Damn refs think they're gods or something. I say keep sending emails to David Stern. There needs to be a dramatic change in the refereeing in the NBA. It's a joke.
