Can A Player's Appearance Affect Calls?

[Veheme]

I've heard announcers before laughing about calls not being called for Vujacic for his young/passive guy look, and mainly for his hair. And it got me wondering about how appearances affect calls or other on-court psychology stuff, what is your take on this? Is it more intimidating to have more tattoos thus increasing your intimation on others? Or having a nasty beard? What about sideburns?

Also, is it me or are there others who are also bothered or disturbed with Kirilenko's hair?

[J@3]

I don't think refs care, Rasheed is pretty intimidating looking at times and they'll T him out of a game before the end of the first if they want (or have money on it, *cough*). You couldn't really afford to be a racist in the NBA either considering you'd have to hate pretty much 90% of the league.

Also I hate Kirilenko's hair.

[Oznogrd]

As far as effect on players? I think the more tatted up the more im going at them. If I get them angry and they get T'ed up and ejected...the better for my team. As far as refs go, watch closely. Anytime a short guy makes a stellar play on a big man (like a block) a foul will get called. Flopping is also an "appearance" that affects calls. Its not right, but all humans are biased including refs so naturally looks/impressions could often influence calls.

[Andrew]

It might be a factor with some referees, we can only speculate on the different biases that each official may have but on the whole I think the personality of the players, how they carry themselves and how much they complain, is more of a factor in whether the referees develop a bias against them or not.

I remember a couple of years back when Ginobili had longer hair it was suggested that it aided in his ability to draw charges when he flopped, because the way it flew about when he went sprawling suggested a harder collision than in fact it was. Perhaps there's some merit to that, but Manu seems pretty adept at drawing charges no matter the length of his hair so perhaps that was more just a subtle shot at his appearance and style of play. Still a curious point to ponder though.

[Patr1ck]

Impossible since refs are blind.

[Dee.]

Impossible since refs are blind.

Agree.

[Andrew]

Impossible since refs are blind.

Well played.

[Modifly]

Also I hate Kirilenko's hair.

Impossible since refs are blind.

[kevC]

The way Yao Ming looks makes him prone to getting BS calls called against him.