We’ve talked about real refs before, and how they’re the black sheep of the sport that the NBA wished they didn’t have to cover for. The real refs are no darlings, but they’re the best we’ve got. It’s sad, but it’s reality.

Basketball isn’t as bad as gymnastics and ice skating where judges determine talent and execution (with extreme bias), but it’s worse than baseball, soccer, hockey and football. Baseball is the closest to basketball because of the judgment needed in calling balls and strikes. Football is fortunate enough that the game is built in such a way that close calls can be reviewed. When it comes to the whole “is the defensive back committing pass interference or not” the refs get that right most of the time, and those situations only come up a handful of times per game. In the NBA, it’s nearly every time down the court.

I wish there was instant replay only for Manu Ginobli and no one else. Every time Manu falls down, I want replay. I want the refs to see just how far away the defense actually was from Manu when he appeared to be capsized by a mack truck.

Alright, off my soap box now.

And I’m a fan of 48 minutes of hell, no matter what athlete plays that way.

Royce, I do like that you throw in a snippet or two as of late about “our” new WNBA team. Thanks.