I have been involved in high school officiating for nearly 15 years. some years I had officiated up to 75 games in a season both in public high school and small college intramurals. I can tell you I have officiated both with two man crews and 3 man crews. 3 man crews is a thing of beauty if it is applied properly. We are always told officials should never be the "outcome" of a game but merely help manage the game.
In the NBA many officials are there and they want noticed--they want to make the controversial call whether bad or good they want to make the call against Kobe they want to overlook the call against Kobe because of what he said to them 2 games ago etc. I believe one problem and you may or may not agree is you have two FEW officials and they ref for too long and ref the same teams. They get to know the coaches and players on a personal level, they know their families etc. etc. There is no way to be unbiased when that happens. You see them talking to them carrying on with them taking their cuss rants against them and giving it back, it is ridicoulous. You are not there to be buddies with them you are there to help manage the game. In normal athletic competition 2 people talk to you on the court about a questionable call the captain and the coach....period. Anybody else and it can be a T.
In the NBA's desire to put on a "show" they have taken the officials out of their normal duties and this problem goes straight to the top. Calls will always be blown it can't be helped but NBA officals would not make it in the high school level. They don't make calls. They don't call traveling 80% of the time, they are inconsistent at best in foul calls they call out of their primaries (ref lingo) often. Their mechanics (the way they make calls) is something for the Hollywood movies. Ridiculous you won't find it in a ref handbbook for mechanics anywhere. I surprised Joey Crawford didn't add backflips to some of his ridiculous antics when he used to ref all the time.
If you have ever officiated and paid your dues to be a certified official on the high school or college level. The NBA is just embarrassing. They make upwards of 10-20k for playoff games not counting travel, thier amenities, personal computer, food etc. and the product you get is what you all have seen. Two officials last night had nearly 50 games between them of finals experience. ONe it was his first game. The rookie was probably better then both the old times. They are in it to long.
The refs can absolutely change the game if they do not do their jobs properly. Sad but true.