Locked-out NBA referees picketed the L.A. Sports Arena on
Sunday night before the Clippers-Kings game. The league has been
using replacement refs during early exhibition games (SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 10/16). Chief negotiator for the referees, Mike
Mathis, and others were outside of Indianapolis' Market Square
Arena before Friday night's game there. Mathis: "Our league
tells us we're the best pro sports officials there are ... But
then they say we're not going to pay you what (the others) make"
(INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/14). Raptors John Salley during
Saturday's game against the Sixers: "I don't care if it's a $1
million fine. I'm gonna say somethin' about the refs." Salley,
who squared off with Shawn Bradley during the game, criticized
replacement officiating. Afterward, Raptors GM Isiah Thomas said
"there probably should have been an ejection. If we'd have
regular NBA officials, it wouldn't have gotten so far." Raptors
Coach Brendan Malone said it would "take years" for subs to
adjust to the NBA's pace (TORONTO STAR, 10/16).
