Tag: Bill Kennedy

NBA ref Bill Kennedy joyfully finished a conclusive replay review by throwing two thumbs up

What a hilarious way to say a call stands!

NBA referee Bill Kennedy is a seasoned pro. So when it comes to doing his job, sometimes he has a little more fun, like when he joked around with Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey earlier this month.

Kennedy’s latest hilarious ref moment came during the late stages of the Los Angeles Clippers game with Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night.

After running through a jump ball on replay review, Kennedy came to the official’s courtside camera to explain his conclusive “stands as called” decision. To put an exclamation point on the call he made, Kennedy threw a perfect two thumbs up.

It’s a moment of pure gold.

Some officials take their job seriously and do it to the point that they seemingly have no sense of humor. By contrast, Kennedy seems to juggle this balancing act well while having fun with a cool job that puts him around basketball.

NBA ref Bill Kennedy laughed at Dwane Casey for meaningless challenge during blowout loss

Sorry, coach. Bill Kennedy had to giggle about this one.

The Detroit Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, but the competitive juices are still flowing for head coach Dwane Casey.

The Pistons trailed the Hawks by more than 20 points during the fourth quarter when Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter attempted to post up Detroit’s Jaden Ivey. He then lost control of the ball, which made its way out of bounds.

The ball was ruled as last touched by the Pistons, but Casey was seen irate on the sidelines. Casey challenged the call, which surprised Atlanta broadcasters Dominique Wilkins and Bob Rathbun.

“I’m going to say this,” Wilkins said. “What are you challenging for? I mean, for what? The game is over!”

Veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy also seemed shocked. As he made an announcement on the mic, you could hear a bit of sarcasm in his voice as he explained that the previous play was being reviewed.

Rathbun speculated that even though the game was no longer within reach, Casey still wanted to prove a point and show that the out-of-bounds call was incorrect.

His instincts were correct and when Kennedy returned to the microphone, he announced that the coach’s challenge was successful. Kennedy held back his laughter as he informed the crowd that the ball would be rewarded to Detroit with 24 seconds on the shot clock.

With the ball back in their hands, the Pistons ran a play for Marvin Bagley III. The former No. 2 overall pick used the regained possession to post up on the left block, drive to the middle, and then miss a turnaround jumper.

Atlanta secured the rebound and gave the ball to Trae Young, who managed to connect on a difficult off-the-dribble 3-pointer. The Hawks went on to win, 129-107, and hold possession of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Bill Kennedy was part of the referee …

Bill Kennedy was part of the referee crew that worked the Detroit-Philadelphia game, which as of right now is the last NBA game played this 2019-20 season. League commissioner Adam Silver suspended play that same night March 11 after Utah Jazz all-star Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus. “At that time, we went back to the hotel at the airport Marriott and we saw the press release that Adam released,” said Kennedy, a Phoenix native and 22-year NBA referee veteran. “We got an email from (NBA head of referee development and training) Monty McCutchen to get home as quickly as we could.”

Kennedy is hopeful the NBA resumes play …

Kennedy is hopeful the NBA resumes play as there have been reports the league could go as late as Labor Day weekend to crown a champion. “I am as optimistic as the guys who are in power that I know that they’re doing everything they can possibly do,” Kennedy said. “And if there is a way to do it, I think we’ll do it. Now whether or not that happens, the virus is the only thing that’s going to control that.”

NBA referee Bill Kennedy combined his …

NBA referee Bill Kennedy combined his love for Carrabba’s and wanting to make a difference to show support for those in his hometown of Phoenix on the frontlines during this coronavirus pandemic. Kennedy partnered with the Italian restaurant and NBA to donate 100 meals catered by Carrabba’s in Peoria to night shift employees Thursday night at Banner Thunderbird Hospital in Glendale.