Cole Anthony starts every game with a clean slate, says NBL head of referees Scott Butler.<\/p>\n
While refereeing crews scout for \u201chighlight players\u201d as part of their pre-game, that preparation stops short of prejudgement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing that they (the referees) will make sure they do is ensure that every game is approached with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh lens, just to ensure that there\u2019s no carryover from previous games,\u201d Butler said during a recent media availability.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine that a player or a coach shows emotion as long as they stay under control, and they don\u2019t abuse anybody on the floor, whether it be the officials or anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Butler, who addressed how officials manage the Melbourne star amid attention on his emotional outbursts and technical fouls this season, reiterated emotion is part of the game but the line is drawn at \u201ccontrol\u201d and he\u2019s given United coach Jacob Chance general feedback about how the referees handle tense situations.<\/p>\n
He also said there\u2019s a difference between what happens on the court, and off it – referring to Anthony\u2019s outbursts that were directed at the broadcast camera and commentator.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a deliberate separation that\u2019s created,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure that what we do on the floor stays on the floor \u2026 Anything that\u2019s external that requires a more objective view overall, then that\u2019s a League matter to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eight-time NBL MVP and basketball icon Andrew Gaze has since weighed in on Anthony’s antics, believing they can be a distraction for his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubting the talent is exceptional,\u201d Gaze said to foxsports.com.au.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBut this sort of is a distraction that I don\u2019t think he or the team needs.<\/p>\n \u201cAs much as you understand someone\u2019s personality and that they might have prevented you from getting a little bit emotional from time to time, if you have to keep managing it, it can be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n United next host Brisbane on Saturday from 7.30pm AEDT, live on 9Go!, 9Now and ESPN.<\/p>\n