In news that will most certainly come as a total bummer to Dwyane Wade, longtime NBA referee Bennett Salvatore is hanging up his whistle after 33 years. During that span, Salvatore worked 25 NBA Finals games, including the infamous Game 5 of the 2006 Finals — or, as we like to call it, “Dwyane Wade’s Free Throw Party” (never forget!).
#NBARef Bennett Salvatore to retire after final assignment of the season. Salvatore officiated 33 seasons including 25 NBA Finals games.
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) March 13, 2015
Salvatore can now go hang out with Dick Bavetta (who retired last season) and reminisce about simpler times, when YouTube wasn’t around to churn out conspiracy theories regarding questionable officiating.
[photo credit: Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post]
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