NBA coaches have a mixed reaction to a planned D-League experiment involving larger officiating crews. The league will try four and sometimes five officials at games starting later this month, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
The larger crews will make their debut December 26th and will be used in nine games, all hosted by the Long Island Nets. There will be five games with four officials, then four games with five officials starting January 12th.
“We are confident in how our three-person system works and are constantly thinking of ways to improve our game,” said Bob Delaney, the NBA’s Vice President for Referee Operations and Director of Officials. “The four- and five-referee initiative is a prime example of that focus and will help the NBA with research and development.”
The NBA switched from a two-person to a three-person crew for the 1988/89 season and has remained that way ever since, although a four-person crew was tried during this year’s summer league in Salt Lake City.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says the NBA needs more accountability, not more referees, to solve its problems with officiating, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.
“It seems like now, more and more, that it’s somebody else’s call, or somebody else’s eyes that are supposed to be on that, and it’s a lot more gray area,” Spoelstra said. “It’s very confusing to all of us. It must be incredibly stressful and confusing for the officials.”
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle supports the idea of larger crews, telling Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com, “It’s needed.” (Twitter link)
The league should do whatever it takes to get the best officiated game possible, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters before tonight’s contest (Twitter link).
“If it takes four or five to make a better product, so be it,” D’Antoni said. “More guys will have work. … The league will take a look at it and whatever betters our product, they’ll try to do it.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks said he never considered the idea of more officials, but thought of one added benefit.
“It’ll just give me a couple extra guys to yell at,” he said. “That’ll be great. I like it. I’m tired of just yelling at three.”