NBA Playoffs - A First Look

[tj]

It looks like 36 officials got assignments this year - up from 34 last year.

2 returned from injury: 19-Capers and 32-Rush
2 returning to the playoffs: 31-Wall and 61-Kirkland
1 making the playoffs for the first time: 47-Adams

replacing 3 who have retired - Salvatore, Delaney and Javie.

In the first round, the league has been rotating 8 crew chiefs so they're a good bet to make the Finals. No surprises here - they've all been in the Finals before. They are:

9-Stafford, 13-McCutchen, 17-Joey Crawford, 24-Callahan, 41-Mauer, 43-Danny Crawford, 48-Foster and 57-Willard.

In past years, 12 officials have been named to the Finals. Last year, the above eight plus 8-Davis, 14-Malloy and 55-Kennedy made it. They'd be favorites again, but there's one spot open to replace the retired Javie.

Possibilities (culled from those who were full-time crew chiefs during the season): Rush (has made the Finals before), Capers (never made it), 10-Garretson and 49-Washington (both have been in the Finals before), 23-Phillips and 22-Spooner (neither have made the Finals).

Wild guess on my part - Jason Phillips gets a first trip.

Up-and-comer: 33-Zach Zarba made the Conference Finals last year for the first time and was a part-time crew chief this season.

[BTFS Admin]

I'll say it's Eddie Rush replacing Javie in the Finals.

[russ]

I'll go Spooner to be different. I have watched Rush this year and he has lost a step. Does not look like finals material anymore. If any of the 11 do not make it this year I would guess marc Davis. I have seen him many times and he is just awful. A complete hothead and makes incorrect controversial calls left and right. If you say one word to him expect to get T'd up. Spooner and Phillips were the 2 alternates last year and are both pretty solid.

Also, Leroy Richardson, Mark Lindsay, Brian Forte and Kane Fitzgerald have been alternates but not worked on the court. That tells me they were ranked 37-40. Out of those 4 only Richardson has worked the playoffs before. That tells me to expect Lindsay,Forte and Fitzgerlad in the near future. I have seen a lot of all three of those. Forte is really good, Lindsay and Fitzgerald are decent as well. The only complaint is Fitzgerald, like Davis can be a real hothead and has a very short fuse.

[russ]

Two other up and comers who have more taken the James Capers route are Rodney Mott and Michael Smith. They have been number 2's for a while now and just started becoming part time crew chiefs this season. I think both will work finals games before their careers are done..

[Deleted]

my guess for the finals - CRAWFORD,CRAWFORD,MCCUTCHEN,FOSTER,STAFFORD,
WILLARD,CALLAHAN,MAUER,MALLOY,WASHINGTON,SPOONER,PHILLIPS

not impressed this year with Rush,Kennedy or Davis

Garretson could be the othe possibility

[impz45]

I believe Bill Spooner makes first trip to Finals, Kennedy and Davis I believe will have about a 10 year Finals run.

Ed Malloy, Zach Zarba are two that have risen fast and continue to rise. Malloy will stay in Finals, Zarba within next two-three years.

[impz45]

This is Don Vaden's first year as Top Guy, I believe we may see a surprise or two in Finals.....

Another fast riser a good referee is #30 John Goble.

[BTFS Admin]

Don Vaden works in the front office.

espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7010241/don-vaden-named-nba-director-officials

[russ]

Eddie F Rush is very unlikely to work the NBA Finals this season. He has only worked 1 game this postseason. My guess is still Spooner will work his first NBA Finals on the court this season. Although we have not seen him work a second round game yet while Phillips has worked 2. Also Bennie Adams went from never working a playoff game to working the second round Pacers-Heat game on Tuesday. Nice turn around for Adams.