The NBA Replay Debate – Should Replay Be To Avoid Controversial Endings?

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As I have moved my record to a robust 2-0 in Court Room style debates, I have also earned the right to introduce and judge yet another timely topic involving the 2009 NBA Finals (side note – how are Laker fans getting out-voted by Magic fans?).

As I see it, NBA Commissioner David Stern may find himself in an off-season conundrum. Should the NBA change their famous Rule #13 (instant replay) to include a number of traditionally non-reviewable aspects, solely to ensure fairness for any last second shot that takes place as time expires?

Here’s the scenario. The Orlando Magic, their fans, and their media (including our friends at the Orlando Sentinel) have contested that there is a chance Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol committed goaltending on Magic shooting guard Courtney Lee’s attempt to hammer home a lob pass as time expired in regulation during Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals.

Let’s not worry about whether the refs cheated the Magic. Instead, the compelling question for me is the following: How involved should the NBA get in controversial, potentially game-changing plays as time expires in regulation or overtime?

Consider the end of Game 2 of this year’s Finals as the key example. The game clock expired as Lee’s shot missed. However, there is some controversy surrounding whether Gasol caused the rim to move, or hit the ball after it had already touched the backboard. In situations like this, regardless of the normal process governing when a play can or cannot be replayed, should the NBA mandate that a close play at the end of a game – a play that could change the game’s outcome – be reviewed to ensure fairness and accuracy, not just time-remaining when the ball was released.

Currently, the rules surrounding what constitutes a reviewable play – and what doesn’t – are clear. Replays may occur only when issues involving time remaining on the clock, the severity of a flagrant foul, or the players involved in an altercation are in question. (You can read the entire rule book online. It’s a real page turner. Rule #13 is on page 50, if you’re curious.).

Here’s the debate. The NBA must use replay to review a close play at the end of regulation that may change the game’s outcome, including potential foul calls (only shooting fouls), goaltending, traveling, charging, and all ‘player control fouls.’

Loyal Homer will argue that the NBA must amend the rule book and expand the definition of replay at the end of a game to ensure the utmost fairness and accuracy of its referees.

Bleacher Fan will argue that the NBA should in no way amend their Rule #13, and that instant replay should remain intact after the slight alterations made to it last off-season.

I think there are several interesting points to be made in this debate, including how much oversight NBA referees should have when making big judgments (on the court, not in the casinos, Tim Donaghy). Let the debate commence!

Read the opening arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.