NBA 2016 Rumors: Veteran Referee to Retire at the End of Season
The National Basketball Association finds itself at a lonely spot at the end of this season. That's because the league, already knowing about Kobe Bryant's retirement plans, will also have to endure the retirement of another great figure — veteran referee Joey Crawford.
The 64-year-old Crawford is without a doubt one of the most recognizable floor officials in the NBA; in a league where most of them are often shouted at, ridiculed, and criticized. But Crawford is a very unique personality. He is only one of the very few who comes in to every game with his own animated style. But the most glaring characteristic he has is the fact that he's always going to make the biggest call of the game, whatever and no matter how high the stakes are.
He's been refereeing NBA regular season and playoff games in the league, including championships, for 39 long years and it's about time to hang it up and leave the responsibility to younger and equally capable referees.
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Actually, Crawford has not seen action this season after undergoing a major knee surgery, though he is scheduled to return by March, hoping that he could get the privilege of making the calls all throughout the playoffs. It wouldn't be a fitting end to his career if he decided to just quit and miss the entire playoffs in his last year.
It's really amazing to think that Crawford has been a regular fixture in the sidelines, blowing the whistle, and making calls since 1977, when majority of active players today weren't even born yet. All in all, he has officiated 313 postseason games, as well as 50 NBA Finals games. That number is currently listed as the highest among referees, both active and retired.
While there will be no dramatic exits and long speeches involved, many players and coaches in the league will definitely have at least one experience with Crawford they will remember the rest of the way.
