Kobe Bryant Suspended One Game

[Eugene]

Well, the NBA has drawn the proverbial line in the sand. I have no problems with the suspensions Kobe received (other than I think it's bullshit), but if the NBA is going to judge that action by Bryant as suspension-worthy, then that's how it's going to be. If Kobe repeats it, he should be suspended for multiple games. The NBA has clearly delineated what's acceptable and not acceptable, and it's up to Bryant to adjust to the rules.

However, having made this decision, the NBA has to be consistent in its calls from here on out. If Stu Jackson deems the action (of flailing one's arms or "driving a stiff arm back") as illegal, then the action merits suspensions, not the consequences. That is, players should now be at risk for suspensions if the commit such an act, regardless of consequence, since Stu Jackson has made it clear, he is not judging Kobe's intentions, only what he sees on the screen.

And therein lies the quandary that the league has put itself. Should all "flops" now be suspension worthy? What about players who drive to the basket and flail their arms out after getting fouled and nail a defender in the forhead with an elbow (which Mike Miller did prior to Kobe Bryant cold-cocking him in that famous incident)? Does the NBA suspend only when the action leads to contact/injury? Because that certainly doesn't seem like judging the action on its own terms.

When you make a statement as the NBA did on Kobe's "follow-through/flop", then it's imperitive that you stay consistent to the standard. And if this is the decision that the NBA makes, that you can't just haphazardously flail your arms when you get fouled/blocked, then how will that affect the game?

Actually, it might change it for the better, since it could conceivably cut down on overt flops. On the other hand, it could leave too much up to perception since officials will now have to look at each action as legitimate or flopping, which in turn would slow down the action.

I think that's the real issue here.

[nylia]

the thing is though, todays players are not as good, they simply cannot score like the teams of the past so that is why stern is doing whatever he can to make the game seem better. the problem with it is he is actually slowing the game down. to be honest i rather see scores in the 70's every night without all the stupid play stopping pussy fouls than scores in the 90's cause they let the star players get 10 free points from the line.

this is completely true. i cant agree with you more.

players getting to more than 20 fta in 1 game is plain stupid.



edit: after reading the above post...

didn't it used to be just dennis rodman who was the flopper? Now, most players flop. I was watching the GS-Dallas game the other day. I think it was the 3rd quarter or something when stephen jackson was called for an offensive foul while posting up devin harris. Harris obviously flopped!!

jackson wasnt really forcing anything. for some reason, referees have been trained to blow their whistles every time someone falls over or looks like they got whacked with a 2x2 plank