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NBA officiating is in crisis mode, and the players have a point <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA may or may not have an officiating crisis. But it definitely has a crisis of confidence, which is the only kind that matters.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Even in the age of big data and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGbIrmC-L9o">AI-generated LeBron songs</a>, we still do not have a reliable way to track if an NBA game was officiated well. This isn’t automatic balls and strikes; we’re talking about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elbow intentionally struck Al Horford in the head during that poster dunk, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander initiated contact when his defender stupidly jumped at a pump fake for the 19th time, whether Jaden McDaniels gave Jamal Murray adequate landing space on his shot despite every player jumping different distances when they shoot and McDaniels understandably is not staring at Murray’s feet when he’s shooting a three. That kind of stuff.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">So people<a href="https://x.com/c2_cooper/status/2047296371800092675?s=46"> clamor for accountability</a>. Players freak out, including Devin Booker saying in a press conference that Alex Caruso asked the ref to call a technical on Booker <a href="https://x.com/mrbuckbucknba/status/2047160072631984471?s=46"><em>and he just did for some reason? </em></a>Fans of teams that feel they got jobbed lose it, demanding changes (what changes?), oversight (how?) and to please please <em>please </em>stop allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to magnet-pull himself to a defender and get two free throws!</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But refereeing is such a stupid concept that there is no possibility to improve, only to complicate. Sure, we have <a href="https://official.nba.com/2025-26-nba-officiating-last-two-minute-reports/">Last Two Minutes reports</a>, but those are simply compiled by other referees offering a different interpretation with the assistance of slow-motion replay — or as I like to call them, <em>completely useless </em>since no referee could ever review every single call of the last two minutes in slow-mo in real time lest they want to make the game completely unwatchable.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Refereeing basketball games is not an exact science; in fact, it’s probably not a science at all. When you consider all the contact, all the dust-ups, all <a href="https://x.com/clutchpoints/status/2047155473775030295?s=46">the arm-flailing</a>, all <a href="https://x.com/BrickCenter_/status/2047154558439502244?s=20">the pump-fake magnetism</a> and <a href="https://x.com/protectedpick/status/2047135133086716249?s=46">all the floppity flops</a>, officiating this environment is far closer to oil painting than it is mathematical proofs. Fouls are interpretations of a fluid game in which contact is legal, and referees must use words like “wind-up,” “follow-through,” “incidental,” and “reckless” (what does any of that mean?) to determine if something is a foul, a flagrant, a technical or nothing at all.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In short, there is really no way to officiate a sport where contact is <em>kind of </em>legal<em>. </em>It’s not like football and hockey (which have plenty of officiating problems), where contact is <em>mostly </em>legal and something has to be fairly heinous to result in a foul for being <em>too </em>physical; basketball allows contact <em>to a certain extent. </em>What that extent is has evolved over time, such as throwing elbows, hand checking, the block-charge and more fun stuff we all complain about. All NBA refs are really doing is trying to keep the game safe and reasonably fair; an impossible task, but one they are heroically trusted with anyway.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA has thus complicated officiating to no end, only watering the roots of an issue that have continued to grow. A blatantly incorrect reading of this situation is that the Oklahoma City Thunder foul-bait more than any other team — <a href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/free-throws-attempted-per-game">they were 17th in free throw attempts per game this season</a>. Nor is it statistically provable to say that teams foul-bait more than ever, as team <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html">fouls-per-game has gone down sharply in recent NBA history. </a></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But teams have exploited the infinite complication of officiating to great effect, notably how pace, size and explosive super-athletes can create impossibly subjective interactions. Gilgeous-Alexander bears the brunt of this criticism, given that <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1110576/nba-awards-picks-mvp-rookie-coach-of-the-year-roy-dpoy-all-nbateams">he’s likely about to be the league’s back-to-back MVP winner</a>, but he wasn’t even first in free-throw attempts this season. Everyone does it, and I think we really peaked with 2022 Giannis Antetokounmpo, who, for two playoff rounds, barreled into Nikola Vucevic and Grant Williams and whoever else dared to oppose him with impossible speed, power and extreme arm-angles that were <em>always </em>some kind of foul. On who? On Giannis? Who knew.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The root problem is that a shooting foul is the most valuable offensive action in basketball. With league-average shooting percentages, two free throws have an expected point-value of 1.57, while a three-pointer is worth 1.08 points and an at-rim look worth 1.20 points (<a href="https://fansided.com/author/ianlevy/">shoutout to Ian Levy</a> for pointing this out to me; it changed my life). If you can get your free-throw percentage up above average (>78 percent), now we’re really cooking something spicy. Gilgeous-Alexander shoots 88 percent from the line, so <em>by far </em>his best option on every possession is to get to the line.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Like with tanking and the draft lottery, if the NBA’s rules provide a clear best option to succeed, smart players and teams will always figure out how to maximize their return. It’s like when the MLB figured out walks were actually good — whatever macho man mentality (and steroids) sustained the “always swing and swing for power” world died in the darkness wrought by sabermetrics and taking a 3-1 fastball that’s a little high.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA public freaking out about officiating these playoffs doesn’t actually want fewer fouls, they just want fouls to feel <em>like fouls </em>— you know, things that aren’t allowed, rather than the calculated, orchestrated manipulations of a subjective rule set and mathematical reality that they have become. A fix would be a point of emphasis from officials that <em>radically </em>expands the scope of “who initiated contact” and categorically refuse to call fouls when the offensive player visually initiates the interaction.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But we all know how that would end: teams and players would reset, take some time to analyze the situation and then find whatever the new best way to get to the free-throw line is. Short of a literal <em>free-throw quota</em>, an insane idea that would turn the game into gladiatorial combat, teams will figure out how to foul-bait even if foul-baiting is outlawed. But an emphasis against offensive player-initiated defensive fouls would be a good start, given that this is all a visual question anyway — as said before, the total number of fouls has decreased in recent years. We’re solving a crisis of <em>confidence, </em>not an actual crisis.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Sports have their own built-in honor codes that are unique and deeply personal, but not flopping is generally agreed upon as lame by the people of the world. And those same people will shed blood, sweat and tearful Tweets when they believe the sanctity of the game they love is under assault. Maybe it isn’t, but it looks like it is. And keeping up appearances is key.</p></div></div> #NBA #officiating #crisis #mode #players #point
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#Amogh #Adige #enters #record #books #youngest #ISL #coach #NorthEast #loss">Amogh Adige enters record books as youngest ISL coach in NorthEast loss #Amogh #Adige #enters #record #books #youngest #ISL #coach #NorthEast #loss
NorthEast United endured a difficult outing at home against FC Goa, going down 2-0, but its coach on the touchline, Amogh Adige, entered the record books as the youngest to take charge of an Indian Super League club on an official matchday.
Head coach Juan Pedro Benali was unavailable after being sent off during the match against Mohun Bagan, and duties were taken over by the 25-year-old, who has previously worked with the India Under-23 team.
Amogh holds both the UEFA ‘A’ and UEFA Elite Youth ‘A’ licences and, on Friday, went past Noel Joseph’s record (27 years) to become the youngest coach to manage an ISL side.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
Apr 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) gets ready to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images After winning both series on a six-game road trip, the Chicago White Sox will aim to stop a six-game home losing streak when they face the Washington Nationals on Friday night in the first contest of a three-game set.
Chicago swept the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays in the first week of April but hasn’t won at home since, absorbing sweeps from the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays.
A jelling attack helped the White Sox score at least four runs in every game of their recent trip, against the Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Obviously, you go through spring and then the first few weeks here,” Chicago outfielder Andrew Benintendi said. “The chemistry has been there from day one.”
Benintendi delivered a go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth inning Thursday to key a 4-1 victory in Phoenix.
Washington relied on the long ball during its home matinee against Atlanta earlier in the day, but solo homers from James Wood and CJ Abrams weren’t enough in a 7-2 loss.
The Nationals didn’t register a hit after Daylen Lile singled with two outs in the fourth inning as Washington dropped its third game of a four-game series against the Braves.
The Nationals will turn to right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-3, 9.15 ERA) against the White Sox on Friday.
Mikolas has worked in bulk relief in his past two outings after making three starts to begin his Washington career. He has had success against the White Sox, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts, with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings.
Washington is expected to promote prospect Riley Cornelio to pitch in relief, according to The Athletic. A seventh-round pick of the Nationals in 2022, Cornelio went 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Rochester.
White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami enters on a six-game hitting streak, with home runs in five of the past six contests.
“I’m just running out of things to say (about Murakami),” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, he continues to put himself in a really good spot to take good swings on good pitches, making great swing decisions, and making a ton of contact. And when he hits it, he hits it really hard.
“Even the singles he’s hitting, he’s hitting hard, and obviously the damage is incredible, too. So, yeah, it’s impressive to watch.”
Murakami has 10 home runs this season, but just two have come at Rate Field, where he is batting .185 compared with .283 on the road.
Wood is doing the long-ball damage for the Nationals. His 10 home runs lead the National League.
“It’s unbelievable. I wish I had his pop,” Lile said about Wood. “Seeing James, and just seeing him go about his day and his routine, just the confidence is there.”
Left-hander Bryan Hudson (0-0, 1.69 ERA) is scheduled to start for Chicago as an opener on Friday and give way to right-hander Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.92). Hudson has pitched in 11 games in relief this season. Fedde opened his career with the Nationals, who selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
Fedde struggled with his command on Saturday when he took a no-decision in a 7-6 extra-innings loss to the host Athletics, walking a season-high four in 4 2/3 innings. He scattered three runs and two hits while striking out three and has yielded a home run in three consecutive appearances.
Fedde is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career starts against Washington, with 14 strikeouts in 16 innings.
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #Prolific #hitters #face #White #Sox #Nationals #open #series">Deadspin | Prolific HR hitters face off as White Sox, Nationals open series Apr 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) gets ready to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
#Deadspin #Prolific #hitters #face #White #Sox #Nationals #open #series
Apr 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) gets ready to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images After winning both series on a six-game road trip, the Chicago White Sox will aim to stop a six-game home losing streak when they face the Washington Nationals on Friday night in the first contest of a three-game set.
Chicago swept the reigning American League champion Toronto Blue Jays in the first week of April but hasn’t won at home since, absorbing sweeps from the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays.
A jelling attack helped the White Sox score at least four runs in every game of their recent trip, against the Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Obviously, you go through spring and then the first few weeks here,” Chicago outfielder Andrew Benintendi said. “The chemistry has been there from day one.”
Benintendi delivered a go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth inning Thursday to key a 4-1 victory in Phoenix.
Washington relied on the long ball during its home matinee against Atlanta earlier in the day, but solo homers from James Wood and CJ Abrams weren’t enough in a 7-2 loss.
The Nationals didn’t register a hit after Daylen Lile singled with two outs in the fourth inning as Washington dropped its third game of a four-game series against the Braves.
The Nationals will turn to right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-3, 9.15 ERA) against the White Sox on Friday.
Mikolas has worked in bulk relief in his past two outings after making three starts to begin his Washington career. He has had success against the White Sox, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts, with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings.
Washington is expected to promote prospect Riley Cornelio to pitch in relief, according to The Athletic. A seventh-round pick of the Nationals in 2022, Cornelio went 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Rochester.
White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami enters on a six-game hitting streak, with home runs in five of the past six contests.
“I’m just running out of things to say (about Murakami),” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, he continues to put himself in a really good spot to take good swings on good pitches, making great swing decisions, and making a ton of contact. And when he hits it, he hits it really hard.
“Even the singles he’s hitting, he’s hitting hard, and obviously the damage is incredible, too. So, yeah, it’s impressive to watch.”
Murakami has 10 home runs this season, but just two have come at Rate Field, where he is batting .185 compared with .283 on the road.
Wood is doing the long-ball damage for the Nationals. His 10 home runs lead the National League.
“It’s unbelievable. I wish I had his pop,” Lile said about Wood. “Seeing James, and just seeing him go about his day and his routine, just the confidence is there.”
Left-hander Bryan Hudson (0-0, 1.69 ERA) is scheduled to start for Chicago as an opener on Friday and give way to right-hander Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.92). Hudson has pitched in 11 games in relief this season. Fedde opened his career with the Nationals, who selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
Fedde struggled with his command on Saturday when he took a no-decision in a 7-6 extra-innings loss to the host Athletics, walking a season-high four in 4 2/3 innings. He scattered three runs and two hits while striking out three and has yielded a home run in three consecutive appearances.
Fedde is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career starts against Washington, with 14 strikeouts in 16 innings.
–Field Level Media
Poland will host the European Athletics Championships for the first time with Silesia chosen as the venue for the 2028 edition, European Athletics confirmed on Friday.
The announcement came on the first day of the European Athletics Council Meeting in Birmingham, host of this year’s championships in August.
The 2028 championships will take place at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow – which hosts the annual Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, part of the Diamond League – from June 3-8, one month before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“This will be the fourth time the European Athletics Championships will take place in the same year as the Olympic Games,” European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov said in a statement.
“And it is not an exaggeration to say that Silesia 2028 will provide us with a glimpse into the future.”
Poland is the sixth most successful nation at the European Athletics Championships, which were first held in 1934, with 59 gold medals and 185 medals in total.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
#Poland #host #European #Athletics #Championships #time">Poland to host European Athletics Championships for the first time #Poland #host #European #Athletics #Championships #time
Poland will host the European Athletics Championships for the first time with Silesia chosen as the venue for the 2028 edition, European Athletics confirmed on Friday.
The announcement came on the first day of the European Athletics Council Meeting in Birmingham, host of this year’s championships in August.
The 2028 championships will take place at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow – which hosts the annual Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, part of the Diamond League – from June 3-8, one month before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“This will be the fourth time the European Athletics Championships will take place in the same year as the Olympic Games,” European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov said in a statement.
“And it is not an exaggeration to say that Silesia 2028 will provide us with a glimpse into the future.”
Poland is the sixth most successful nation at the European Athletics Championships, which were first held in 1934, with 59 gold medals and 185 medals in total.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
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