Ok I deleted those ref fiasco tweets, because it was blowing up a little too much and I don't want a crazy person to see it. But if you're mad I deleted it, I'm gonna tell you a story...

On year I was at summer league and I was staying by myself in a hotel near where the players were playing. The hotel was full of NBA staff. I even saw a few very famous retired NBA players in the lobby.

I was in the lobby having a drink and I decided to head up to my room to grab something before heading to the courts to watch the games. I got to the elevator and got in and it was me and a woman alone in the elevator.

I noticed she was wearing some official NBA stuff so I asked her if she was there for summer league and worked for the NBA. She said "yes I am, do you work for the league too?"

I said, "no I wish, what do you do?" then it got awkward. Body language changed...she felt uncomfortable in a way that I clearly could feel. I knew it right away so I moved a little back to stay out of her space entirely.

She responded with "uhhh...operations". Then the doors opened and I got off and said, "have a good day!" but left thinking...um that was weird. Did I do something wrong?? I was just trying to be friendly...

Later that day I saw her on the court refereeing a game. Then I realized...oh...referees are legitimately afraid to be alone with fans. They actually fear for their safety. Once she learned I wasn't employed by her employer, she didn't feel entirely safe.

I of course would have been fascinated to talk to an NBA ref and not weird in any way, but how would she have known that? I can't imagine the insane stuff people had said to her. I learned something that day, and choose to remember it when thinking about refs. The end.