Oklahoma City (AP) – For NBA players, the ultimate prize is the gold trophy. For NBA officials, it’s a distinctive white jacket.
Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor have just received their jackets, marking a significant milestone in their careers as they prepare to officiate in the NBA Finals.
Ford and Taylor were named among the top selections on a 12-man referee roster revealed Tuesday, designated to officiate the NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, set to commence Thursday in Oklahoma City.
“That jacket is incredibly special; it’s like our trophy,” Ford remarked. “It holds a unique significance for us. Anyone striving for the finals recognizes it. While there’s a bit of formality when receiving it as an alternate, actually working on the floor is where it truly differs.”
Both referees have previously officiated as alternates, and Taylor acknowledged the distinction between receiving an alternate’s jacket and now having earned the role of a full-fledged final referee.
“I’ve literally marked ‘Alt’ on every tag I’ve ever worn,” Taylor shared. “This is the culmination of my career. I entered the minor leagues when I was 20 or 21. This achievement represents everything I’ve worked towards. While reaching the position of Game 7 Crew Chief is the ultimate goal, this is a significant step in that journey.”
Scott Foster, the most experienced referee, has been selected for his 18th NBA Finals. Tony Brothers and Mark Davis will be officiating for the 14th time, while James Capers will do so for the 13th time, Zach Zarba for the 12th time, and John Goble for the 9th time in his career.
David Guthrie has been chosen for his eighth Finals, Josh Tiven for his sixth, James Williams for his fifth, and Sean Wright for his second.
“We are thankful for these 12 officials and their dedication to the game at the highest level throughout the season,” said Byron Spurell, NBA president of League Operations. “Being selected to officiate in the NBA Finals is the highest honor for an NBA official. I applaud this outstanding group for their remarkable achievement.”
Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott have been selected as alternates. Foster has officiated the most NBA Finals games this year among the 25 referees, with Davis and his teammates following closely behind.
The selection of NBA Finals officials was based on their overall performance throughout the playoffs’ first three rounds. The NBA’s umpire operations management team evaluated the officials after each round to assess their progression in this year’s postseason.
Ford and Taylor received an exciting call from the league’s umpire operations chief, Albert Sanders Jr., notifying them of their selection. “I wasn’t sure when or if the call would come; it was beyond my control,” Taylor expressed.
“It takes a lot of mental strength to remain assured about my work,” Taylor added.
If past patterns continue, each of the 12 officials will work one of the opening four games as part of a standard three-person crew. Should the series extend beyond Game 4, the NBA will draw from the same pool for the remaining games as needed.
The officiating crews for each game are typically announced around 9 AM on match days. Ford is particularly excited as Game 2 falls on Sunday, coinciding with his 40th birthday, a significant milestone considering he worked in the G League Finals at 30.
“This is the moment we strive for,” Ford stated. “You aim for these experiences.”
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Source: apnews.com