There are always have been and always will be controversial calls in NBA games, just like a high-profile blown call that elicited quite a reaction from NBA superstar LeBron James during a game against the Boston Celtics this year and even prompted the NBA to admit the mistake after the game. And even though the referees involved were not given a public punishment, NBA commissioner Adam Silver reveals that referees are held accountable.
In an interview with ESPN’s Sage Steele on Sportscenter this week, Adam Silver said that while the league does not publicize any discipline, there are definite repercussions for poor officiating.
“We don’t publicize discipline for officials. We don’t think that will be appropriate,” Silver told ESPN. “But their assignments are affected by the quality of their calls, whether or not they progress into the playoffs and then round by round is impacted by the accuracy of their calls and their demeanor on the floor. So there is a system for overseeing and making those judgements about officials. But more to your earlier point about getting the calls right, that’s again not a new issue.”
While it is good that officials do face some sort of accountability, that is unlikely to make players or fans feel better immediately after a blown call that costs their team.
[ESPN]
