The NBA has done a pretty good job of using video replay in its games so far. It helps referees make the right calls and doesn’t really take much time at all. Officials can check to see if baskets should be worth two points or three, see who knocked the ball out of bounds, and make sure the time clock is accurate.
Things have been going so well that NBA Commissioner David Stern is considering expanding the video replay system so it can be used for more calls. He even hinted that the NBA may adopt a system used by the NFL where coaches can challenge a call and have it reviewed. He said the league could even place an official in front of a monitor and he would be able to contact the game referees by headphones to let them know if they have missed something during the game.
Stern said he doesn’t want to slow the game down, but the main goal is to make sure the calls are correct. The outcomes of games depend on it and a wrong call could cost a team millions of dollars, not to mention how it would affect basketball betting.
Most experts feel video review is a good thing for the league as long as it’s not used for judgement calls such as fouls. However, there’s always a flip side to the coin and some fans argue that video replay is going to take away the human element from the sport. But a challenge-based method will mean coaches have to use their judgement on when to dispute a referee’s call, so there’s still some type of human element involved.
Many fans feel it’s a case of the sooner the better when it comes to expanded video use though, as the first round of this year’s playoffs have shown that referees can still blow calls. There were several controversial calls in first-round games and the NBA released a statement saying that officials in the first game of the Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder matchup had missed an important offensive goaltending call. Your NBA picks might be irrelevant if the right calls aren’t made during games, especially during the playoffs.
Stern and the NBA have a lot on their plate at the moment though, with a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union and referees’ union being the most important issues. This means additions and/or changes to the current review system may be put on hold for another year. There’s no point in ironing out video replay issues if the NBA is going to lock the players out next season.
Stern said cameras are so accurate these days that they can eliminate controversy by ensuring the right call has been made. He doesn’t think the games should be stopped every time there’s an argument though and this is why he’s leaning towards a challenge system where a coach can drop a flag.
This could be a good time to slowly expand video review as some of the league’s veteran officials are leaving the game or have already retired and younger referees have been promoted to officiate playoff contests. If Stern gets his wish and the use of video is expanded, it’ll definitely make NBA betting more interesting as games hopefully won’t be decided by missed calls.
