Aug 25, 2026 · 57 min · 21 segments
0:00 Intro 1:17 Bruce introduces longtime NBA official Steve Javie 3:12 Did Steve embracing religion play a factor in how he approached officiating? 4:52 Any regrets with any technical fouls that…
Steve JavieGuest
Ross GeigerHost
Bruce BernsteinHostMichael FreerPanelist
After your career on the court came to an end, you spent seven years studying theology-
... eventually earning a master's degree and becoming an ordained Catholic deacon in 2019.
... as a referee, you kind of acknowledged that occasionally you might've had a quick trigger-
So I'm just wondering, did your embrace of religion help you to grow as a ref to the point where you modified your approach to conflict with coaches and players?
No, no, no. No. Um, one, one, th- one does have something to do with the other, but not in the context that you're talking about.
Um, I, I, I think what happened with the technical foul part, which you're talking about a- as I did early in my career, uh, have a quick trigger.
I think that they finally realized, "You know what? I really can't beat this guy, so I might as well just try to, you know, treat him a little, with a little respect." And here's the thing, Bruce, and I learned it...
After your career on the court came to an end, you spent seven years studying theology-
... eventually earning a master's degree and becoming an ordained Catholic deacon in 2019.
... as a referee, you kind of acknowledged that occasionally you might've had a quick trigger-
So I'm just wondering, did your embrace of religion help you to grow as a ref to the point where you modified your approach to conflict with coaches and players?
No, no, no. No. Um, one, one, th- one does have something to do with the other, but not in the context that you're talking about.
Um, I, I, I think what happened with the technical foul part, which you're talking about a- as I did early in my career, uh, have a quick trigger.
I think that they finally realized, "You know what? I really can't beat this guy, so I might as well just try to, you know, treat him a little, with a little respect." And here's the thing, Bruce, and I learned it...
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