© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The National Basketball Referees Association will use Twitter as an interactive tool to communicate with fans during Game 3 of the NBA Finals Wednesday night. Various unnamed NBA officials, not the ones on the floor, will clarify controversial calls and interpret rules via the Twitter account, @OfficialNBARefs.
Fans can communicate with the referees using the hashtag, #RefWatchParty. This initiative essentially gives the referees a voice to explain their officiating or come clean about incorrect calls.
NBA Twitter has a lot to say – especially during the #NBAFinals. And now we’ll be joining the conversation.
We’re live-tweeting Game 3, reacting and responding in real-time. Join the #RefWatchParty with us on Twitter tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/VZU4f77275
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) June 5, 2018
The referees were central to Game 1’s storyline. In one of the most controversial plays of the game, Kevin Durant was called for a charge on LeBron James, but it was reviewed and reversed to a block, leading to two important Durant free throws.
In addition to NBA players around the league commenting on the Finals in real time, fans will have the opportunity to interact with those monitoring how the game is officiated.