Best and Worst officials in a professional sport

[democracyindanger]

Best: While I considered MLB umpires because of the abuse they take (just before they toss the abuser out), I decided on NFL officials. They go through a battery of physical and mental tests to even be considered.

Worst: NBA. The stinkiest of the stinkiest. The amount of grandstanding these jerkoffs do is amazing. No matter who your team is, I'm sure you have several personal stories of how your team got screwed by some ref who clearly had a personal beef with a coach or player. Plus, the amount of makeup calls they do is ridiculous. If you make a call, stand by it, or reverse it right there.

You?

[HEyHEY]

1. European Hockey refs are the worst

They think it's soccer and call every little nudge

[H2O Man]

2. For boxing,

Jay Nady is the most incompetent referee for major fights. He believes that the fans are there to watch him perform.

When it comes to judges, there are a dozen who should be in state prison.

I like seeing Richard Steel back in the ring. Very good ref, in my book.

[hijinx87]

3. MLB umpires do a fine job, with a few huge exceptions.

in order of badness :

1) CB Bucknor
2) Angel Hernandez
3) Joe West

you can news-google any of these guys (especially the first two) at just about any time of the season, and they are surrounded by controversy.

[Twillig]

4. NBA, no argument. I give you: Jake O’Donnell

"Oh, no. Jake's a great ref. Best in the NBA. Kindest, gentlest, most fair man in the league."

Which was pretty much the story delivered by NBC via Magic Johnson et al during the '92 playoffs ( I think) when asked by host Enberg about the overwhelming objections levied by fans, players, coaches--hell, anybody in the state of Oregon--about the out-and-out bias of that scat-muncher O'Donnell.

Nothing happened until finally, one day, O'Donnell went too far and carried his vendetta to the point of ejecting Clyde (fresthly new as a Houston Rocket) out of the first game of a playoff series. During the fucking warm-up!

Finally, deservedly, O'Donnell got shit-canned by the league.

Justice delayed is justice denied, though.


I find it amusing that the referee's association is now saying that whatever has or will has happened to Van Gundy is not enough.

What you gonna do, you mother-fuckers, call ticky-tack fouls on Yao Ming if Van Gundy isn't kicked out for accusing you of er, nevermind.

[democracyindanger]

5. O'Donnell had it in for the '90s Blazers

Him and Steve Javie.

Crap. Now I'm agreeing with a pondrat.

[sniffa]

6. dave hebner is the worst referee

i don't how he's been empLoyed for so Long by the WWE, since he never seems to be abLe to stop bLatant cheating.

[KitchenWitch]

7. IMHO, for the most part, I think the MLB Umpires are the best

They are full time, and get a lot of training in the offseasons.

Then NFL - even though they are not full time. They mostly get it right (in part due to Instant Replay).

I agree with the OP about NBA refs, no objectivity whatsoever. (It seems like when the Timberwolves play the Lakers, the Lakers get all the calls their way - especially Kobe Bryant :wtf: )

[HuckleB]

8. I'd have to go with MLB umpires as the best.

And I agree that the NBA refs are the worst, though I don't think the NFL is all that far behind, especially considering how little action they actually must pay attention to over an extended period of time.

[Krupskaya]

9. MLB = best, NFL = worst.

I can't watch the NFL anymore. Every freakin' play is a g.d. penalty. And if a penalty isn't called, the players are out there whining for a penalty (FAVRE, I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU, YOU FREAKING WHINER!). Missed pass? The receiver is up waving his arm for a flag. And likely as not, the refs give it to them.

LET THEM PLAY THE FUCKING GAME. IT'S FOOTBALL, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

Having said that, I totally agree about the MLB, with a few exceptions. But I think, generally, they do a VERY good job.

Oh, NHL is pretty good too. Both sets of refs/umps just let them play the game.

[rinsd]

10. Dick Bavetta....

...even though as a Knicks fan he's given us many precious gifts over the years.