With its regular referees locked out, the NBA is confident in its roster of replacements – even the two it previously fired.
The NBA begins preseason play Thursday night with 62 referees. The league says more than half have officiated in the NBA Development League, and all but five have worked the summer league.
It says the two with NBA experience, Michael Henderson and Robbie Robinson, were some of the best replacements available.
Knowing the scrutiny the backups face, the league has reminded teams about its rules against publicly criticizing the officials. But head of referee operations Ron Johnson says, “I think some people rise to the most amazing level of performance at amazing times.”
Denver visits Utah in the first game.
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