Semi OT: So, I was reading an article entitled "Union Amazed Henderson in on list" 'cause, as you may know, the NBA is ref-less and they're talking to D-League and WNBA refs to see if they're interested in picking up a few extra bucks. (I can hear the W refs laughing as they say, "Right, I want to put myself in a lose-lose-lose position. No thanks, kids!")

Anyhoo - so I'm reading the article by Chris Sheridan, "a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com" and I find myself getting cranky. Now, I have no dog in this hunt and I'm not sure why it's sticking in my craw so, but here goes.

The article opens (my bold):

The lead negotiator for locked-out NBA referees finds it "amazing" that a former referee at the center of a controversial job action nearly six years ago is on the league's preliminary list of replacement officials.

Michael Henderson is the referee in question, and the league's locked-out officials are particularly steamed that he might be wearing a whistle around his neck again after they stuck out their necks to support him earlier this decade.

Sheridan then goes on to recount the (fascinating) tale of an on-court protest. After reading the story, one might understand the outrage of union leader Lamell McMorris.

"They went out even though they were risking their jobs, and it's just absolutely amazing that now he is going to go and replace them."

And then:

Henderson was fired by the NBA in 2005. McMorris believes the league would have fired him a year earlier if not for the inside-out jersey protest.

Henderson, a 10th-round draft pick by the New York Knicks in 1984 who later officiated in the USBL and NBDL before being hired by the NBA, did not reply to e-mail, text and voice messages.

"We reached out to Michael Henderson because he is someone who has experience reffing NBA games, and we actually feel that makes him an ideal candidate," said NBA executive Joel Litvin,

I mean, I guess my blood might boil too... if I there were ANY evidence that Mr. Henderson had expressed ANY interest in officiating again for the League. The LEAGUE put the list together. The League REACHED OUT to Henderson. We have no idea what Henderson is thinking, feeling or doing about the offer from the LEAGUE because he DID NOT REPLY to ESPN's calls.

Oiy. Tempest, meet teapot.

It's silly enough that union leader McMorris was gettin' all het up and overwrought what with recalling the emotions of the past and jumping to all sorts of conclusions and waving unhappy fingers in the general direction of Mr. Henderson's face.

But that Mr. Sheridan should put this in print without any attempt at a "reality check" smacks of the kind of lazy-a$$, hysteria-mongering writing that gives journalists (and journalism) a bad rap. It's written to incite, not educate.

Until you know the facts, go after the LEAGUE for the list, not the people ON the list.

Character assassination may make for good copy, but it sure makes for questionable ethics.