Bavetta missed on the court, welcome in the Hall

Bavetta's career saw him work 2,635 consecutive NBA games. (Photo: Duane Burleson/AP)

Even the most avid NBA fan may not have noticed a significant absence on the hardwood this year.

Dick Bavetta, a fixture on the floor for four decades—and an ambassador for the game as much as he was a referee—retired from the Association at the end of the 2013-14 season after officiating in 2,635 consecutive games.

On Monday, the Brooklyn native was named as one of the inductees in the 2015 class of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

During his 39 years in the NBA, Bavetta made the toughest of calls, danced with mascots, kissed broadcasters and was the only official to ever land a starring role at All-Star Weekend.

Despite his now-iconic status, Bavetta struggled for the better part of a decade to make it to the pros and had to continue to work to earn his stripes. But he stayed with it, honing his skills near his hometown, working games in the off-season in the Jersey Shore Basketball League and the famous Rucker Park Summer League.

“Dick had a great way of de-escalating situations on the court by simply talking to players and coaches,” said analyst and former NBA player Leo Rautins. “That shows me confidence and security in his ability to call and control a game.”

Rautins added with a chuckle: “I always looked forward to a game with Dick—for his smile, pregame kiss on the cheek, and his embellished story of him tossing me [from a game earlier in my career] that grew bigger and better each time we crossed paths.”

From the 1980s well into the 2000s, Bavetta emerged as chief referee, working numerous playoff and NBA Finals games as well. He even came under fire for indirect allegations surrounding the fixing of certain games (nothing was ever proven). He was, arguably, the poster boy for professional referees for more than 20 years.

“Dick has a passion for the game that was unrivalled,” said Rautins.

“I just remember Dick Bavetta was always fair and personable,” said former NBA player, Alvin Williams. “It was an honour to be a part of the same game as him.”

Bavetta will be enshrined along with 10 other inductees—including John Calipari (three-time NCAA Coach of the Year), Spencer Haywood (four-time NBA all-star), Dikembe Mutombo (eight-time NBA all-star), Jo Jo White (seven-time NBA all-star) and Lisa Leslie (three-time WNBA MVP)—during a mid-September ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

When Bavetta’s selection was made official on Monday, he was with long-time friend—and former NCAA official—Ron Foxcroft. Foxcroft, now a successful Canadian businessman and member of the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, patrolled the floor for more than 1,500 collegiate and international games himself.

Foxcroft said Bavetta was second to none when he was working between the lines.

“Dick personifies the ultimate in love and passion for the game of basketball. His trademark was always calm, communication and humility.”

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