Much like the players and coaches are expected to do, the gamblers around the country are sure to try and use the replacement referees at NBA games to their advantage.Although legalized betting on exhibition games -- that begin tonight with replacements -- is expected to be minimal, those in the gambling industry will be scrutinizing the new officials closely in hopes of seeing tendencies and trends that they can use in both wagering and setting point spreads for regular season games.
"The bettors may be a little leery of the new refs at the start, but they'll be out there analyzing, looking for patterns they can use,'' said Richard Gardner, sports book manager for BODOG, the on-line sports betting site. "It's like a chess game (with the gamblers). I'll be looking for trends myself. It's definitely something to keep an eye on.''
The regular season begins Oct. 27, which is when the real gambling will begin. Even though the replacements likely will be working only a short period of time and will be paid like first-year regular officials, he said he was not worried about another Tim Donaghy situation erupting. Donaghy is the former NBA official who was found guilty of federal conspiracy charges in 2007 after admitting he provided gamblers with inside information on games he was working.
"It's no concern at all. We've got safeguards in place that apply to all our officials. There are strict policies when it comes to gambling. I don't view this as an added risk whatsoever,'' Litvin said. "We have a process for background checks. And we've done them.''
Since the Donaghy scandal, the NBA has increased its scrutiny of officials dramatically the last two seasons. That scrutiny will be increased even more with the replacements. The league will be watching closely to gauge which of its new officials are the best, hoping to use them the most and quickly weed out any that struggle.
"I don't like using the word `scrutiny,''' said Ron Johnson, the NBA's senior vice president for referee operations. "It's part of management and leadership. It would be irresponsible for me to not use our management staff to the fullest extent possible, to help our guys. Yes, there will be more management, but not scrutiny.''
Gardner said the risk of referee tampering is something he also watches closely because it could affect his business. The new referees will make him even more vigilant in the coming weeks.
"That's always a risk, but the NBA realizes it can't afford another situation like that. The last thing they need is another one of those,'' Gardner said. "From our end, you're always looking for people betting out of the norm, one guy who has six accounts all linked, or a guy who used to beat $20 is now betting thousands.''
R.J. Bell, who runs the sports betting news site Pregame.com in Las Vegas, said there are three things he expects to see as he watches the replacement officials. And it will effect the betting.
His predictions: -- New officials who might be a little nervous will tend to make fewer calls because it creates less scrutiny and less focus on them. Less calls in general benefits the more physical teams and lead to fewer points. The lower scoring games will benefit the more physical teams.
-- The star players are going to get even more deference by the new officials because of an intimidation factor. Teams with real superstars will have a bigger advantage than normal with the replacement referees.
-- The home court advantage will be even more pronounced with the new officials because they will be more affected by the crowd.
"The sharp bettor will look at this (replacements) as an opportunity,'' Bell said. "Anytime there is a disruption from the norm, and it won't be so obvious what the results will be, it's an opportunity for some people.''
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cue the conspiracy machine
If there is such a high degree of scrutiny, why are Joey Crawford and Dick Bavetta allowed to be referees at all? Is it because they are deemed honest even if they are totally inept? These two are the worst of a bad bunch. The replacement refs really will not have a hard time in exceeding the standards set by these guys.
The NBA has the absolute worst officiating in pro sports. A good example is the "make-up" call. WTF is that? What other sport would permit an official to blatently make a call just because they screwed up the previous one? NBA refs completely dictate the outcome of a game with their horrible officiating.
inept is ok as long as it looks honest
I am a basketball official, and I am glad to see the replacement officials get an opportunity to work and advance in there careers. I feel for the officials who are on strike, but that is a decesion that there union has accepted. Hopefully all will be resolved and everyone will get back to work on all levels of this strike.
Everything is finally where it should be. An inferior sport with inferior refereeing. There is justice.
the NBA already had inferior refereeing.
this is a step up. Now if only Stu Jackson would disappear.
Iys not only the NBA.....The NHL has the worst Zebras in any pro sport. Mr. Bettman made sure the RED WINGS were screwded out of the Stanley Cup last year so they could give it to their golden boy "Cindy".
screwed
""The bettors may be a little leery of the new refs at the start, but they'll be out there analyzing, looking for patterns they can use,'' said Richard Gardner, sports book manager for BODOG, the on-line sports betting site." ~~~~~ Oh hell anyway, Richard Gardner! Who's playing the game? Who's attempting the shots? Who's playing defense? Who's passing the ball? Who's dribbling? Etc, etc. Not the basketball officials! Idiots and to those who blames the officiating to determine the outcome of the games.
The NBA has the absolute worst officiating in pro sports. A good example is the make-up call, WTF is that? What other sport would allow an official to make a fake call based them srewing up a call prior to that? NBA refs completely dictate the outcome of a game with their horrible officiating. Take this post off again, the truth hurts.