Several current and former NBA referees have weighed in the Tim Donaghy officiating scandal the past few weeks.

Here are two interesting reads involving local referees. The first is a story by ESPN's Ric Bucher that will appear in the Aug. 13 edition of ESPN Magazine. The article leads with local official Bernie Fryer, a Port Angeles High product who officiated for 28 years in the NBA and also played in the Association, resigning after Game 3 of the NBA Finals over the league's system of managing officials.

Several officials, who are provided anonymity in the story, say the evaluation system needs an overhaul, and will be even worse because of the Donaghy scandal.

The officials also believe Donaghy, if guilty, acted alone.

The other story is by my former boss, Kitsap Sun sports editor Chuck Stark. Chuck sits down with former, well-respected PAC-10 official and longtime NBA referee evaluator Louis Soriano (you have to register to view this article) to get his thoughts on the Donaghy situation.

Soriano, a Bremerton native who starred as a hard-nosed guard at the University of Washington in the 1940s, had evaluated Donaghy early in his career and rated him highly when Donaghy first came into the league. He can't figure out how Donaghy managed to affect the spread because referees are scrutinzed so much — by fans, coaches, players and the league. He also believes the scandal will blow over and fans will begin paying attention to the games once the season begins.