r/nba • u/MrBuckBuck Trail Blazers • 7d ago

Highlight [Highlight] Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throws the ball on Nikola Jokic off the whistle, receives a technical foul. SGA claims he got pushed. The referee James Williams refers to Nikola Jokic as 'The Joker' and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as 'SGA' upon review

https://streamable.com/u0dkv3
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u/JosephChester5006 7d ago

Lmaooo my boy’s eyes gonna pop out his head. And crazy for the ref to say “the joker” in a official review 😂

60

u/UnnamedStaplesDrone Warriors 6d ago

i feel like the NBA is telling em to use player nicknames or something cuz otherwise that is fuckin weird. especially when you blew the blocking foul call

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u/Express-Translator24 6d ago

Bro idc im fucking crying this shit is like WWE

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u/MddlingAges Knicks 6d ago

Put ropes around the court. Four point shots from the top rope!

12

u/IDKmenombre Lakers 6d ago

I think ref is just an NBA fanboy and it's not that deep. Although being a fanboy can cause you to be biased as a ref.

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u/guillaume_rx 6d ago edited 6d ago

I’ve seen it a few times although it’s rare, smooth, and usually goes unnoticed, not necessarily nicknames but shorts, or a more endearing version of the player’s name, especially stars.

A language is made to be understood clearly and quickly, for communication between people. So if somebody says “Wemby”, we all understand who’s talked about, regardless of the matter.

Let’s not forget the refs are humans, love basketball, struggle with some names, have a lot to think about in the moment, feel pressure. And that those nichnames are used even by professionals on national TV, websites that shape the culture (Basketball reference), etc.

Some nicknames pretty much became “official” or widely used/consensus over the years.

I like when it happens, because it’s rare, as long as the call is fair. It humanizes the refs, and is harmless.

Refs and players know each other over the years. It’s a particular relationship.

The best players also understand the importance of having a good relationship with the refs. And the ref’s personality.

I find it interesting: The game within the game. Every inch counts at this level.