Should the NBA institute an Instant Replay rule?

[gourimoko]

Pretty simple question really. More or less, should the NBA adopt an NFL style Instant Replay rule that would allow coaches to use a timeout to have a play reviewed. If the play is reversed, the timeout is given back. To adapt this policy to the fast paced NBA, a full timeout should be required; hopefully reducing the number of potential instances of frivolous challenges. I also feel the coach making the review request does not need to have possession, but the ball must be out of play and the request must be placed before the ball is inbounded by either team. If a call is reversed then depending on the new call either team would be eligible for possession; however, no free throws may be awarded even after a review - only possession can change. Preventing questionable calls from directly changing the score.

Quite honestly every fan gets frustrated with the refs during a game, and I'm not posting this in spite of the officiating during the Cavs v. Lakers game. However, I don't really see the point of having refs officiating the games as intensely as they do, when we have the technology to practically eliminate their influence on the game, entirely. Outside of biometric jerseys, sensor laden floor panels, and motion sensing backboards, we actually can easily implement a decent instant replay rule that would stymie any attempt to sway the game one way or the other. Impartiality is something that alludes most judges, even supreme court justices; I hardly expect refs in a basketball game to be impartial.

 

[BlueSeats626]

Depends on what type of call. Foul calls can be very subjective. Refs may disagree on whether there was sufficient contact to warrant a foul call.

Now stuff like out of bounds, etc, well that is a different story.

For as much bitching as there was about the Lakers game last night, the Cavs committed less fouls and shot more free throws. I thought the only questionable call was the Bynum swipe at Lebron's face which should have been a Flagrant 1, but was still a foul nonetheless. I thought a lot of the calls Lebron was complaining about were legitimate no-calls. Speaking of which, his crying about no-calls and writhing in pain after minor contact is growing bothersome IMO.

 

[King of the Cavs 23]

Yea i agree with Seaty!!

No for fouls, but yea for Out of bounds and goaltending and stuff like that!!!

 

[gourimoko]

Depends on what type of call. Foul calls can be very subjective. Refs may disagree on whether there was sufficient contact to warrant a foul call.

Now stuff like out of bounds, etc, well that is a different story.

For as much bitching as there was about the Lakers game last night, the Cavs committed less fouls and shot more free throws. I thought the only questionable call was the Bynum swipe at Lebron's face which should have been a Flagrant 1, but was still a foul nonetheless. I thought a lot of the calls he was complaining about were legitimate no-calls. Speaking of which, his crying about no-calls and writhing in pain after minor contact is growing bothersome IMO.

What about the fouls on LeBron last game? Do you think it could be argued that he wasn't fouled during many of those drives? It's hard to imagine the fans want to see players get popped in the face, or pushed to the ground without a call - let alone the players.

I just think it'd be a good way to clean up the game if defenses didn't gamble on the call not being made. If your going to foul, you should expect the call. A rule could be made that say, would only allow a reversal on a play if the shot itself was effected by the contact. For instance, a 3-pt shooter might fall back, or even jump into another player to draw the foul. Many times drawing insignificant contact after the ball was released - maybe on the fingers. Those kinds of "fouls" shouldn't even be fouls, but definitely shouldn't reverse a play.

EDIT: The reason I say fouls should be included is because there are many players, particularly LeBron, who depend on driving to the basket to round out their game. If defenses are coached to foul hard anytime LeBron drives, then they should be called on every single foul - because it's a cheap gamble that shouldn't pay off. It's against the rules to foul another player, why not force everyone to play by the rules (as convoluted as they are)? Keep in mind, I'm referring to blatant fouls, i.e. someone coming away from a play bloody and on the ground - not light contact that had no effect on either player or the shot.

 

[BlueSeats626]

But what if there is still disagreement among officials after looking at the replay of a foul, because fouls are mostly subjective. One official might see offensive player initiated contact, while another might see an overly aggressive defender. One official might see a blocking foul, another might see a flop. Do you go to a 2 out of 3 vote in those instances?

Also considering the amount of crying of NBA players and coaches about foul calls during any one game, I'd have to assume that even an extra handful of reviews a night would severely impede the flow of the game.

 

[gourimoko]

But what if there is still disagreement among officials after looking at the replay of a foul, because fouls are mostly subjective. One official might see offensive player initiated contact, while another might see an overly aggressive defender. One official might see a blocking foul, another might see a flop. Do you go to a 2 out of 3 vote in those instances?

Yes.. Either 2 out of 3 or perhaps even a unanimous vote may be required.. Personally, I think if 2 out of 3 refs say a call should be reversed, that's enough for me. Besides, I think the video footage being rebroadcast while the decision is being made will influence the refs to make consistent and correct calls. Perhaps even an internal board of review should be instantiated to review every months more questionable decisions -- iirc, the league does this with flagrant fouls regardless of controversy. Regardless of implementation, such a system introduces a stop-gap that, in my opinion, improves the flow of the game rather than the reverse. Consistently not getting calls on every drive while getting hard fouls to the face can dishearten a team and encourage defenses to play dirty ball.

Also considering the amount of crying of NBA players and coaches about foul calls during any one game, I'd have to assume that even an extra handful of reviews a night would severely impede the flow of the game.

Ahh.. but that's why screaming and arm throwing and fist waving would become unnecessary with an instant replay policy. You have zero reason to make a scene or disrupt play if there's an instant replay rule. If you really think your player got fouled, then call for the instant replay - you better be right or you lose a full timeout. The time it takes to review the play is equivalent to the 2 minute timeout so the game isn't delayed significantly. Now it'd be understandable if a player got T'd up for arguing with a ref because it'd be unnecessary - just call a timeout and have it reviewed. Besides, in a tight game, do you really risk losing a full timeout to hope for a call; do you risk the Tech by arguing aimlessly (since there is now an instant replay rule), or do you just play through?

It seems to me, an instant replay review option speeds the game up, stops annoying crybaby antics by players and coaches, and most importantly prevents individual refs (i.e. Crawford) from directly influencing a game that means little to him/her by everything to the fans and ticket holders.

 

[TAS]

Ever since LeBron opened his mouth about his crab dribble, the refs are suddenly missing calls. I guess they are going to make him work for every point.


As for replays, i don't really see the use. They already review buzzer beaters, flagrant fouls & 3 pointers. In the NFL you can't challenge a penalty & or a missed (pass interference, holding, roughing the passer etc).

 

[gourimoko]

Ever since LeBron opened his mouth about his crab dribble, the refs are suddenly missing calls. I guess they are going to make him work for every point.

Which is exactly why there needs to be some implementation of a system of checks and balances. The refs have far far too much influence in the direction and flow of the game. No one watches basketball to see the refs make questionable calls. Whereas with video, it's difficult not to come to a consensus and even in such circumstances, there is an inherent value to the ref who called or didn't make the call during the play at that moment; that's why it would take 2 out of 3 to override.

As for replays, i don't really see the use. They already review buzzer beaters, flagrant fouls & 3 pointers. In the NFL you can't challenge a penalty & or a missed (pass interference, holding, roughing the passer etc).[/COLOR][/B]

While that's true of the NFL, the NBA is very different. A bad call can change a game completely. The Wizards harped over a LeBron travel for 2 years. We still remember numerous instances of bad calls during the ECF last year. Just a few days ago, LeBron couldn't get a call to save his life. The refs sat by to punish LeBron for his comments about consistent officiating. All I'm suggesting is that we implement a means of removing the third team from the court. It's ridiculous as it is not to use video tape whenever possible and practical.

 

[TAS]

Which is exactly why there needs to be some implementation of a system of checks and balances. The refs have far far too much influence in the direction and flow of the game. No one watches basketball to see the refs make questionable calls. Whereas with video, it's difficult not to come to a consensus and even in such circumstances, there is an inherent value to the ref who called or didn't make the call during the play at that moment; that's why it would take 2 out of 3 to override.



While that's true of the NFL, the NBA is very different. A bad call can change a game completely. The Wizards harped over a LeBron travel for 2 years. We still remember numerous instances of bad calls during the ECF last year. Just a few days ago, LeBron couldn't get a call to save his life. The refs sat by to punish LeBron for his comments about consistent officiating. All I'm suggesting is that we implement a means of removing the third team from the court. It's ridiculous as it is not to use video tape whenever possible and practical.

I hear ya brother

But this is why i hate the NBA. A certain percentage of a game is determined by the referees. A few calls / non-calls determine the outcome of a game.

 

[Typhoon]

and slow the game down...no

they already review enough stuff all the time