Theory: Lazy Refs Call More Fouls

by soem on Dec 31, 2007 10:37 AM PST

Lazy refs call more fouls to slow the game down so they can rest. This dramatically affects run-and-gun style teams like the Warriors. Is this a dirty little inside secret that players and coaches know all about?

This theory just fits the facts I have been observing over the last few years. When the Warriors get to run their style without many interruptions, they can and do wear out the other team. And they can wear out the refs too!

Now lazy may be a little strong, but lets say one or more of the three refs each night is: a bit injured; or, a little tired; or, a bit out of shape; or, mentally fatigued; or, on a back-to-back; etc. A ref in that condition does not want to see the run-and-gun Warriors flying up and down the court. But there is something they can do to get their rest, call fouls.

I have observed this a lot with two kinds of ref decisions: rest fouls and punishment non-calls. You saw a perfect example of a punishment non-call in the Minnesota game when Antoine Walker just ran over (dislodged) Capt Jack several times. The -lazy refs- make their rest fouls against the Warriors and then allow the other team to punish the Warriors physically with non-calls (sending a message -- you run, and we will punish you).

All it takes is one ref per game. I'll be watching this all year. And I bet the NBA has data on this, but good luck getting your hands on it.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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maybe

i just think that bad refs make more foul calls

by AJC3317 on Dec 28, 2007 6:51 PM PST reply actions

or

Refs like to give superstar calls to undeserving plays and players.

by jtoj on Dec 28, 2007 6:53 PM PST reply actions

"Lazy Ref" Stat of the Day

Dwyane Wade 16-23 from the stripe.

Poor Dwyane, though:

48 points (16-21 fg, 16-23 ft)
11 assists
7 boards
3 blocks
3 steals

... in a losing effort.

by Sleepy Freud on Dec 28, 2007 7:29 PM PST reply actions

serious?

he had more ft attempts than shot attempts??

inconceivable

art by jnazaire 07

by disguy on Dec 28, 2007 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

Yahoo has the stats

Warriors commit the fifth most personal fouls in the league. But you know who commits the second least amount of personal fouls in the NBA? The Phoenix Suns, and those guys run the ball as must as the Warriors do.

by greala on Dec 28, 2007 11:32 PM PST reply actions

hmmm

In response to Phoenix having the least amount of fall calls, in my opinion, has to do with the fact that Phoenix will give you the easy basket under the hoop in order to get back and run. They basically assume that they have better chances of scoring on the other end and have a better chance trading buckets in the long run since they have confidence that their four eye'd monster of assist man Nash will find an open look for a higher percentage shot, thus giving his team higher % to make shots at the other end.

by dandydaniel on Dec 29, 2007 12:00 AM PST reply actions

Exactly

That's not a bad point about the Suns and something I am sure is true. My other thought was that Marion being such a versatile defender on the ball, that guys don't just run up the FT numbers on him and the Suns. The same way Bruce Bowen never has to foul he other teams main guys keeping the Spurs last on the list. All in all though, I still don't believe lazy refs are calling fouls on the Warriors, but more the inherent style of the Warriors D.

by greala on Dec 29, 2007 7:19 AM PST up reply actions

Interesting theory

but what about the effort expended blowin the whistle

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Dec 30, 2007 10:12 PM PST reply actions

Warriors vs Houston 12/31/2007

1st quarter, Warriors run refs tongues out.

2nd quarter, refs call 20+ fouls, getting their rest. It doesn't get much worse than what these refs did ... so Don Nelson protests by getting tossed from the game.

Perfect example of the theory in action.

BTW ... At halftime, one of the TV announcers called the ref calls in the 2nd quarter -horse manure-

by soem on Dec 31, 2007 6:44 PM PST reply actions