Who was the longest-serving referee in the NBA?
The NBA has seen a number of referees come and go throughout the league's history. However, there are those select few individuals who've stayed loyal and have served the biggest basketball association for a long period of time. Joey Crawford and Mendy Rudolph are two of the few special referees who've officiated over 2,000 NBA games. But who served the league the longest?
According to various sources, Dick Bavetta is the longest-serving NBA official in history. He currently holds the record for most officiated games with a total count of 2,635. His dedication was unmatched and he is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
NBA referees taking more heat this season
NBA referees have copped more criticism this season than ever due to a number of questionable decisions in games. One of the most notable referee blunders took place January 28 when the LA Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics. LeBron James attempted to win the game in the fourth quarter with a layup only to get fouled by Jayson Tatum. Unfortunately, the refs never called for a violation.
Since this controversial moment, basketball fans and players alike have started to throw shade at the officials as a result. Some fans even believe that the association should start fining the refs for making bad decisions and missing calls. It's true that officiating a basketball game is a daunting task. Given the fast-paced nature of the sport, one could easily miss even the most obvious calls.
Dennis Schroder’s IG story. https://t.co/JSMW8T2Jig
As of right now, referees aren't in the good graces of many players around the league. This is especially true for LeBron James and the LA Lakers. LeBron has expressed his frustrations on his personal social media accounts and expressed to his followers that he's fed up with the officials.
LeBron James on the final possession: “You saw my reaction. … It’s challenging. I don’t get it.” https://t.co/sz2hODTDQi
With the playoffs approaching, refereeing standards need to improve.