The NBA recently announced a five-pronged initiative to improve player/referee relations during a season when a notable list of superstars — including LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the first time in their careers — have been ejected from games and reigning champion Golden State leads the league in both victories and ejections.
If it indeed has grown into a contentious issue, Timberwolves veteran forward Taj Gibson has his own one-point plan:
Know your referee.
“Over the years, I just learned to know the names,” he said. “It’s a relationship. Just try to know their names, create a rapport because I know we’re going to see each other.