NBA Refs Swallowing Their Whistles: Preseason Numbers Cause for Concern

Preseason is under way, and this time around, it's not only the players under the microscope. As most of you know, the NBA has locked out its officials in a contract dispute and has gone with 62 replacement referees for this preseason.

The amount of fouls called so far has been alarming, but at first glance, it was assumed to be a first time sort of thing. It was not until I was able to sit down and watch tonight's Houston Rockets versus Boston Celtics game in which I realized that no matter how good the "replacements," are, they're not better than the originals.

To elaborate more, tonight's entire game was dependant on the momentum of whomever went to the free throw line first. The Celtics were called for an abnormal 35 fouls during the game, while the Rockets topped out at 40, totaling 75 fouls, and 102 free throw attempts combined between the two teams!

The worst part of the game? I felt the referees missed some calls.

That wasn't the only game tonight. The Bucks/Pistons totaled over 65 fouls called, and 82 total free throw attempts. Thirty-five of those free throw attempts for the Pistons came off the bench. It's the NBA, contact is bound to happen, and it seems all the new replacement refs have been quick to blow their whistle at any sort of contact.

Some may argue that it will get better over time, it's just a matter of adjusting to a higher level, and the discrepancy in foul rates will decrease.

The problem is, there's just as much an argument against that as well. After all, they've been trained for a good amount of years to get to this level, and by now should be able to differentiate between an actual foul and ticky tacky contact.

Those against can easily argue, it will only get worse as the season progresses, when star treatment gets taken to a whole new level. If the likes of Will Bynum, or Acie Law are getting 12+ free throw attempts in a game, imagine the likes of LeBron, Wade, or Kobe picking up more ticky tacky fouls, not only due to their ability to draw fouls, but the refs calling any sort of contact.

Here's a rough breakdown of a comparison with the amount of free throws and fouls drawn from last season:

In the 14 games games the last two nights; there have been no games with less than 50 total free throws, and only two with less than 60. That equates to roughly 59 fouls called per game, and nearly 70 free throws combined between the two games.

Compare that to last season's numbers? Only 49.5 free throws per game, with roughly 42 fouls called per game. That's a large difference, and while it can only decrease, it's bound to be a season in which fouls will be called at an all-time rate.

The NBA is something that needs to be preserved. The previous referees weren't the best, but they did their job, and in retrospect kept true to the game of basketball. Whatever happens, the referees are bound to get better, but the alarming amount of foul calls early in this preseason must be for a cause for concern even for the greatest of optimists.

Like Michael Crabtree and the 49ers did earlier today, it's time for the NBA and the referee union to come upon an agreement. Not only for the experience veteran referees bring, but for the good of the game.

* Thanks to Rory for the idea.