As any sports fan can tell you, there’s nothing more frustrating than watching a blown call by an official or umpire cost your team a game. Given the fact that officials are just human beings like the rest of us, I’m surprised that it doesn’t happen more often.
Take the Detroit Tigers pitcher, Armando Gallaraga, that lost a perfect game due to a controversial call:
The implementation of instant replay has helped alleviate the problem somewhat, but some sports are hesitant to use it as extensively as the NFL for fear that it disrupts the flow of the game.
One such sport was the NBA. Basketball is a game that hinges greatly upon momentum, and taking time to review too many plays can significantly alter the outcome of a game, not to mention the entertainment value for fans. This year, however, the NBA ultimately decided to expand its use of instant replay.
Along that same line, it has also launched a Twitter account, @NBAofficials, specifically dedicated to defend the calls made by its officials.
As you can see, their first tweet specifically addresses a controversial non-call that occurred during a game winning shot that Dwayne Wade made against the Charlotte Bobcats recently. Many thought that Wade had travelled prior to sinking the game-winner, but the NBA cited specific rules and details about the play to defend the validity of the outcome.
I think this is a great move on the part of the NBA. When controversial calls occur, fans already tend to flock to Twitter to plead their case. The NBA recognized that, and now it turned a negative situation into a great way to connect with fans and educate them about the game.
So, what are your thoughts? Do you think that the NBA should discuss calls from past games on Twitter?