Predictable, But Still Good

by Dave on Oct 20, 2009 2:45 PM PDT in News Comment 25 comments

More photos » by Colin Braley - AP

Awwwww! I've had better calls from a telemarketer. During dinner.

The guys over at ESPN.com are reporting a semi-unexpected meeting has taken place between David Stern and the rep for the referee's union and that negotiations are taking a turn for the better. This should come as little surprise to anyone. Months ago we were talking about the disaster which would ensue should the league try to go forward with replacement refs. The script called for negotiations to break down, the NBA to make a go of it during the pre-season, and the foregone conclusion being made obvious, thus driving the league to make a deal. So far we're right on target. Unless some of the old refs have been chomping too many Ho-Hos during the extended summer and can't pass the physical, expect them back soon. There's no other choice really.

For our purposes, this is good for the Blazers. Replacement refs add randomness to the game which is great for bad teams but detrimental to teams that expect to win. Also part of the team's development will be building a relationship with the officials: learning how to draw and avoid fouls, letting the refs get a view of their game, and cementing the impression that Portland is an elite team deserving of calls. Obviously none of that can happen with substitutes in the grey shirts.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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I sure hope

Stern is getting something out of this lockout….because I really don’t see it. The two parties were very close together (as collective bargaining goes) before the lockout….I doubt the final contract will be a whole lot different that it could have been in August.

"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green

by antediluvian on Oct 20, 2009 2:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good for the league, bad for Greg Oden.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily

Greg has been a lot better about not reaching in the pre-season, that’s what got him in trouble last year.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 20, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you sure? 6 fouls in less than 16 minutes?

by dario argento on Oct 20, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone was fouling at a high rate in that game.

by MiledAnimal on Oct 20, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The game I watched

He wasn’t staying out of foul trouble because of the new refs, he was staying out of foul trouble because he wasn’t fouling and was playing good defense. I expect that to remain the same.

He will still have foul problems like any other young big, but he won’t have as many frustratingly silly ones.

M—

by Mortimer on Oct 20, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear that Ben is tweeting that the lockout is in fact....over

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles

by 92wastheyear on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pending official ratification yes

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 20, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Replacement refs are bad for EVERYONE

So many fouls destroys the flow of the game.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 20, 2009 3:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Especially since Doug Christie and Jeff Hornacek retired.

by MiledAnimal on Oct 20, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone Else Remember Last Year?

Anyone else remember Travis Outlaw getting called for a travel in Cleveland when he could have tied the game?

Remember him getting hacked by Lebron (uncalled) the next time he had the ball for the tie???

Remember Yao Ming hip-checking in the playoffs — also uncalled?

Yes, the replacement refs are far from perfect. Sunday night — I was there — was the longest first quarter I have ever seen in my life. Still. if it means no more Lebron James "crab dribbles," and so on I am completely for new referees.

When everyone plays with the same rulebook, I think it is overall going to be a much better game for the fan.

by Anim8rguy on Oct 20, 2009 3:02 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Hopefully one of the concessions the league got

Was an agreement from some of the guys that have been refs since I was in grade school to retire.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 20, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree.. sort of

I want new ref’s to be trained in.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Oct 20, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs