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Post by tj on May 4, 2013 10:30:47 GMT -5
33 officials in the first round, down from 36 last year.
IN: 15-Salvatore (injured last year), 33-Corbin (out of NBA last year)
OUT: 12-Palmer, 27-Bavetta, 32-Rush, 57-Willard (deceased), 61-Kirkland (When was the last time we had a playoff without Bavetta or Rush?)
5 alternates, up from 4 last year (IN: 56-Ayotte & 58-Tiven, OUT-20-L. Richardson)
CREW CHIEFS: 17-J. Crawford, 43-D. Crawford, 13-McCutchen, 48-Foster, 41-Mauer, 9-Stafford, 24-Callahan, 10-Garretson, 25-Brothers, 15-Salvatore.
I think the first 7 crew chiefs are locks for the Finals. Garretson and Brothers have worked together the entire first round and alternated as crew chiefs in their games. Salvatore was crew chief for only one game - after that, he was a "regular" official.
Last year's Final 12 was the above "top 7", 55-Kennedy, 14-Malloy, 19-Capers, 49-Washington and Brothers.
The question is whether Garretson and Brothers have both earned spots (Garretson has been in the Finals, just not in recent years). Salvatore maybe not. My guess is that Kennedy and Malloy are the favorites for spots given they've been in the Finals the last two years. Capers vs. Washington for the last spot?
BTW, game 7 Brooklyn-Chicago tonight is McCutchen-Capers-Jason Phillips.
Any other guesses out there?
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Post by impz45 on May 4, 2013 11:25:56 GMT -5
I agree with top seven. I believe Jason Phillips get last spot with Kennedy, Malloy, Capers and Brothers.
Bill Spooner dark horse over Jason Phillips. Marc Davis rose quickly and made Finals but also fell out last year. Some good officials have retired over the past few years that were Finals Regulars. (Javie, DeRosa, Wunderlich, Delaney).
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Post by tj on May 4, 2013 12:08:42 GMT -5
Agree that Phillips and Spooner could be in the mix.
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Post by russ on May 4, 2013 15:08:53 GMT -5
I do not see Jason Phiilips working the Finals. He was a regular Crew Chief during the regular season but this year was moved down to just a part time Crew Chief. That does not bode well for him IMO. I know Kennedy and Brothers have worked the finals without being a full time CC but those guys were never full time CCs before while Phillips already has been.
One guy who I could see in the finals is Rodney Mott. He worked two games in the Conference Finals last year and was a CC for basically the entire second half of the year when Phillips was demoted.
I'm also thinking Garretson might return to the finals for the first time since 2005. This is strange but ever since Garretson cut all of his hair off about 1/4 of the way through the season he has been almost rejuvinated. He is moving a lot better, his calls are more accurate and he got a lot more National TV games than usual. It is clear the NBA gained confidence in him that they had lost in recent years. Whether that means he will work the finals is still yet to be seen but he made major improvements this year and this is the first time he has been a Playoff CC in years.
My guesses for the finals: J.Crawford, D.Crawford, Foster, McCutchen, Mauer, Callahan, Stafford, Brothers, Capers, Washington, Garretson, Mott
This means I have Kennedy and Malloy out, The reason for that is the same reason I don;t have Phillips making it. Both guys worked some games as number 2's on crews this year, although not as much as Phillips. That causes concern for me.
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Post by impz45 on May 5, 2013 6:54:31 GMT -5
I thought they were moved down late in year to work with specific crew chiefs whom they would be assigned with in Playoffs.
Can these changes be the result of Don Vaden and Mike Bantum taking over this year and shaking things up with those whom have impressed them. With change in leadership comes changes in perception.
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Post by russ on May 5, 2013 12:48:29 GMT -5
I thought they were moved down late in year to work with specific crew chiefs whom they would be assigned with in Playoffs. Can these changes be the result of Don Vaden and Mike Bantum taking over this year and shaking things up with those whom have impressed them. With change in leadership comes changes in perception. Not with Phillips who spent almost the entire second half of the season as a number 2. Kennedy and Malloy still spent a majority of the season as a CC but there were games where they worked as a number 2 and it was not with one specific CC and none of the other guys from the finals last year did that. It might mean nothing but it does concern me. As for Phillips he was a number 3 in the first round so I think that basically eliminates him from Finals consideration. He was a number 2 during the first 2 rounds last year. Clearly Phillips took a step back this year. Maybe Don Vaden isn't as fond of him as was pervious management, but something happened that moved Phillips way down on the totem pole. I wouldn't expect to see Bill Spooner in the Finals either as he was a number 3 during 1 game this round and only worked 3 games while most of the higher ranking Officials worked 4-6. |
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Post by tj on May 5, 2013 21:33:17 GMT -5
Russ - I think in the listings the only position that matters is #1 - the crew chief. Positions 2 and 3 are simply listed alphabetically.
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Post by russ on May 5, 2013 22:07:32 GMT -5
Russ - I think in the listings the only position that matters is #1 - the crew chief. Positions 2 and 3 are simply listed alphabetically. Yes, but it is easy to tell who is the 2 and who is the 3 because only the 3's on each crew were switched out after games 1 and 2. The 2's, besides Spooner/Salvatore, stayed with their CC the entire time. Phillips was on D.Crawford's crew their first 2 games but Michael Smith was with them the next 2 while Marc Davis stayed with Dan the whole time. That along with the other crews patterns tells me Phillips and Smith were the 3's of that crew. |
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Post by tj on May 6, 2013 7:45:25 GMT -5
Hmmm. Not sure I agree with your interpretation of that but we can agree to disagree. Thanks for your insights and I appreciate your comments. And if you're right, I'll give you full kudos!
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