NBA Officiating: Fair or Foul?

In the late 1980s and early 1990s one player changed the course of basketball and took individual performance to a level never seen before in NBA history: The Michael Jordan years grew the NBA's popularity to a new height.

In 2009, the NBA is doing well.  The economy is floundering but the NBA is turning itself into an international company expanding into China.  

However, there is one thing that turns many away from "The Association."

Officiating has led many potential fans to spend their time doing something other than watching the NBA. The superstar treatment and inability to call fouls both ways are abhorrent and will continue to deter potential fans.

Out of all the professional leagues, I will say that officiating the NBA is the most difficult because it can have such a drastic effect on a game.  That being said, it is hard to watch NBA officials consistently play favorites.

Example One: Feb. 10, 2009

With just under two seconds left in the game, Cleveland drew up an inbounds play that called for LeBron James to go to the hoop for a lob pass.  

The lob was thrown and Indiana forward Danny Granger made a great play to knock the ball away.  He was called for some minor contact.

Let the players decide the game!

In this case, Indiana ended up winning the game after James fouled Granger immediately after.

Example Two: Feb. 17, 2009

The Charlotte Bobcats are playing the Orlando Magic and Hedo Turkoglu is posting up Gerald Wallace.  Turkoglu backs down, turns, and shoots. He misses the shot and the ref blows the whistle after Raymond Felton pulls down the board.

The announcers say, "Well if that shot would have gone in the ref would have most likely not blown the whistle."  

The fact this phrase is even uttered shows it is true.  Officials seem to assume that these guys are so good that if they miss, they must have been fouled.  

This game ended up going to overtime and Orlando won 107-102.  If this "foul" isn't called it drastically changes the course of the game.

Example Three: Any NBA Game

The NBA has been slightly better about it, but the amount of traveling that occurs in games is ridiculous.  It seems very clear that they are willing to allow three steps, and sometimes even three-and-a-half steps, if it results in an amazing play.

Example Four, Any NBA Superstar

Superstar calls.  You hear about them all the time and they are true.

Anyone who doesn't believe that James, Dwayne Wade, and Kobe Bryant don't get preferential treatment are not watching the games.  They can get away with committing fouls that other players would have called on them every time.  

Until the NBA handles this situation, the sport will remain a niche market.  

While it may still be bigger than the NHL, it will not surpass Major League Baseball or the National Football League until they add some sort of integrity to the game.

Michael Jordan helped globalize the NBA, but his most defining moment (watch the left arm) might have begun the superstar treatment movement.