[NBA] Earl Strom Article

[FredFan7]

Feature on Strom right after retirement.

Interesting and tragic sidebar in the story about the late NFL line judge, Walt Peters #44.

I was starting to tune into the NBA in Strom's last year or so. After Strom, my favorites were Jess Kersey (closest to Strom in selling the call), Jack Madden, and Jake O'Donnel - back when the NBA was fun to watch on many levels.

lat.ms/lhyb5u

[JugglingReferee]

I remember being 9 and was ecstatic that my parents let me subscribe to Basketball Digest. My very own magazine! lol

I didn't pay attention the stripes until the mid-to-late 80s. You just knew who the best ones were by what felt right. It was the usual guys that everyone mentions. Selling a call was something back then.

Cue Archie Bunker singing "Those Were The Days". ;D

[impz45]

Earl was a Classic....one of the most respected officials of all time.

[Deleted]

I would be interested to find out if the supervisors who championed officiating systems (as opposed to the big personality of the ref) studied Earl to come up with any of their theories.

[FredFan7]

Jun 8, 2011 10:09:34 GMT -5 @zichecco said:

I would be interested to find out if the supervisors who championed officiating systems (as opposed to the big personality of the ref) studied Earl to come up with any of their theories.

Yes. Darrel Garretson hated Earl Strom (personally and professionally) and once be became supervisor, he decided to drive out personality-based mechanics, philosophies, etc. While I understand and agree with a need for uniform rule interpretations, Garretson also made each official signal, sound their whistle, walk, talk, run, rotate, and comport themselves in the same way. That second part I disagree with. And with Garretson, you either changed or were fired. Garretson fired Joe Gushue, and even fired Jess Kersey, but he was brought back on appeal.

Garretson was very political in his administration and had some of "his" guys tattle on other officials so there was a spirit of intimidation until all the folks like Strom, Gushue, Vanak, and others retired.

[impz45]

FredFan you are on the mark with your comments. Some other Officials were fired and hired under Garretson and eventually worked THe NBA Finals (Oakes, Fryer and Durham).

Earl and Darrel's feud begun over the number 10. Earl had the number before he jumped to ABA. Upon return Darrel had it and would not relinguish it back.

Earl was not the only one to feud with Darrel, Jake O'Donnell, Mike Mathis also had their differencies.

We can say what we want about Number 10's management style, give credit where credit is due, he was visionary in setting up today's standards of officiating and contributed alot to the game.

[FredFan7]

Photo of Strom for those who don't remember him.

www.life.com/image/220810

Joey Crawford is most similiar to Strom today.

To try to compare him to NFL officials - he had the pizzaz and schmaltz of Jerry Markbreit with the attitude and combative nature of Ben Dreith. He was something to watch......

[JugglingReferee]

It will be the end of an era when J Crawford retires. I don't think there are any left with a link to that time.

I remember this clip from last year. Monty does show a bit of personality at the end of the clip.

[impz45]

Joey is the last of the of that era of Philly Refs....Steve Javie will be left to carry on the tradition.

[FredFan7]

Another very interesting article about Strom, Garretson, Gushue, O'Donnel, and Joe Crawford.

lat.ms/iJgAxd

[FredFan7]

Jun 8, 2011 2:45:59 GMT -5 JugglingReferee said:

Selling a call was something back then.

Cue Archie Bunker singing "Those Were The Days". ;D

I feel sorry for those who never were able to watch Strom, Kersey, O'Donnel, Powers, or Gushue wave off a basket and sell a charge call.

It was a thing of beauty.

[BTFS Admin]

If I could pick a three man crew to work a game, it would be Ruldolph, Strom, and O'Donnell.