ARTIS GILMORE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT REFEREES

Artis Answers Questions From Readers

QUESTION:

In the recent series between Miami and Dallas it seems like everyone
was complaining about the refs. Although that has always been part of
the game, did you talk much to refs when you were playing and what is
your attitude about what seems to be a growing tendency of many
players to constantly be bellyaching to referees while the game is in
progress?

ARTIS ANSWERS:

Athletes are always going to complain about the officials --- that really is part of the game. When I was playing Rick Barry had the reputation of being the biggest crybaby of all times because he was always complaining during the game. Sometimes, though, I think refs showed him some favoritism just because they knew he’d complain. There’s one part of this subject that I never hear much about. I regret observing that there are still officials continuing in the game for the earlier years when I was there. More power to them for hanging in that long, but quite honestly, I don’t think that some of them are quick enough any more to properly referee complex situations involving today’s fast moving athletes.

A-Train
June 21, 2006

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