NBA to expand technical foul rulings

[Andrew]

How is it rigging the league exactly?

[Lamrock]

"Shit, its game 7 of the ECF and Orlando is leading by 5. Lets call a foul no matter what on the next play, then T up half the team!" Kobe-LeBron finals here we come!

[Andrew]

Could happen, I guess. They probably could've found a way to do that before though.

[NovU]

Well... Pretty much a "SHUT THE FUCK UP AND JUST PLAY" rule change though. More control to the referees and more they can affect the outcome of the game. Not a fan of NHL fights, but it seems like NBA is back pedaling to uglier rules rather than letting players just play the game the way it is like in 90s.

[koberulz]

How is it rigging the league exactly?

This in itself doesn't, but it's this sort of overprotection of the referees that gives those claims credibility.

[Patr1ck]

Well... Pretty much a "SHUT THE FUCK UP AND JUST PLAY" rule change though. More control to the referees and more they can affect the outcome of the game. Not a fan of NHL fights, but it seems like NBA is back pedaling to uglier rules rather than letting players just play the game the way it is like in 90s.

On the contrary, I assume most players would play worse after getting frustrated or mad at bad calls, and the referees could easily swing momentum during key times at will. With a rule barring players from arguing, the players will have to discipline their mind to suppress those emotions. Once they are able to do that, the referees won't be able to swing the momentum as much without it looking so obvious. This is all assuming that rigging is true.

[shadowgrin]

From Yahoo Fantasy NBA update (Rotowire)

(Grant) Hill was ejected from Wednesday's preseason game after exchanging hard but playful slaps on the butt with Raptor Reggie Evans.

The league has instituting a new policy banning, well, camaraderie and fun apparently, and it might take some time for the players to get used to the new rules. Hill scored six points with four rebounds in 17-plus minutes prior to getting tossed.

[JaoSming]

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

When Grant Hill is being ejected, you know the NBA has gone too far with this initiative.

[Patr1ck]

They are just pushing for a player strike. I hope there is a record number of technical fouls this year.

[NovU]

Was that a second technical? Or flat out ejection on sportsmanship award winner...

Anyways, it sucks to see the rule changes in effect. More or less, I have a feeling this will benefit bigger market teams and some superstars.

[Axel The Great]

Refs were just jealous. They wanted to get their butts slapped by Grant Hill.

[rise]

Some guys, like KG, will have less minutes this season it seems...
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-10-13-3822574417_x.htm

[Andrew]

As much as I dislike the initiative, I'm very interested to see if they'll eject Kobe the first time he glares down a referee. Hill's still a noteworthy role player these days and KG is still a significant player, but let's see if they do take a hard line against the league's biggest draws. In any case, I'm still hoping it fails spectacularly and forces the league to re-think their approach, same as the last time they tried this.

[dare]

The calls are getting ridiculous every game, I hope in the start of the season it will change. Let the players express their emotions, bring back the 90s

[JaoSming]

bring back the 90s

amen my brother

[dare]

bring back the 90s

amen my brother

And I didn't even watch the NBA at that time but I did watch some games in the cable.

[Martti.]

Jermaine looked at the ref, automatic technical. Korver hit his own arm to show there was a foul - technical. This is just ridiculous.

[benji]

As much as I dislike the initiative, I'm very interested to see if they'll eject Kobe the first time he glares down a referee.

[JaoSming]

phpBB [video]

Oh Tommy

Vintage Heinsohn!

[Andrew]

As much as I dislike the initiative, I'm very interested to see if they'll eject Kobe the first time he glares down a referee.

Yeah, I know.

Good take on it by Wojnarowski.

The biggest stars can be some of the NBA’s most emotional gripers, and they ought dare Stern and his refs to start tossing them out of regular season games. The league office loves to bully, but never has the stomach for a true fight. Let’s see how fast the public repudiates the NBA and this false premise born of phony market research.

Dare these officials, dare Stern, to reward what will be the toughest opening-night ticket ever – and the biggest TV audience – with ejections in the Boston-Miami game. Go ahead and dare them to toss LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Garnett. Go ahead and challenge Stern the way he’s challenged them. The commissioner has increased the fines on ejections too, and two players agents told Yahoo! Sports they hope the union contests the legality of it within the collective bargaining agreement.

EDIT: The Players Union will contest the changes.

“The new unilateral rule changes are an unnecessary and unwarranted overreaction on the league’s behalf,” Hunter said in a statement. “We have not seen any increase in the level of ‘complaining’ to the officials, and we believe that players as a whole have demonstrated appropriate behavior toward the officials.

“Worse yet, to the extent the harsher treatment from the referees leads to a stifling of the players’ passion and exuberance for their work, we fear these changes may actually harm our product. The changes were made without proper consultation with the Players Association, and we intend to file an appropriate legal challenge.”

[NovU]

"Fans wanted this"

What fans. Golf fans? I can imagine golf and ballet being more intensive/emotional sports now.

[dare]

LOL at JaoSming video Can we make a petition or something and tell the it to the officials in the NBA? I'm sure a lot will follow

[Andrew]

"Fans wanted this"

What fans. Golf fans? I can imagine golf and ballet being more intensive/emotional sports now.

Stern and co are either flat out lying about researching fan opinion on the matter or they've grossly misunderstood what fans have said. I find it difficult to believe that a large number of basketball enthusiasts have indicated they'd like to see more players quickly ejected for rolling their eyes at terrible officiating.

[NovU]

I can't believe Stern was stupid enough to let this happen. Whoever came up with this idea probably hasn't even played basketball at any level.