Ex-NBA star Jason Williams thinks refs 'have one of the hardest jobs in the world'

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NBA fans and players will forever debate who the greatest player of all time is, whether this era of basketball is worse or better than previous eras and whether today’s star players could handle playing in the 1980s, 1990s or earlier.

One gripe, for example, came from Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry earlier this month.

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The legendary basketball player told Basketball News he was upset with the officiating in today’s game. He said he thought players got away with too much traveling.

Rick Barry, coach of the Ball Hogs, calls a play during the game against the 3 Headed Monsters during week seven of the BIG3 three-on-three basketball league at Rupp Arena on Aug. 6, 2017, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Kevin C. Cox/BIG3/Getty Images)

"Get the officials to call it by the rulebook," he said. "Stop the traveling, stop the carrying of the ball, stop the moving screens. Call the game according to the rulebook because players will adjust. If you're going to allow them to get away with it, well, of course, they'll keep doing it.

"It's such an advantage to let a guy carry the basketball or take an extra step, that's ridiculous. Why are you giving all these advantages to guys? They're breaking the rules. It's pathetic. For me to watch this game, the way I was taught how to play the game, to watch this, what they allow to let go, it's an embarrassment. I'm sorry, it is."

Barry, who played in the NBA and ABA from 1965 to 1980, urged officials to "call the game accordingly."

Jason Williams, who played from 1999 to 2011, sees things differently.

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