KG ejected from tonight's Knicks game

[Greenbean]

Maybe if no one complained as much, the refs would be more objective.

I understand the nature of the complaining but I also think guys could take measures to control themselves. It would help all involved.

According to Kareen Abdul-Jabbar, he never comitted a found of any kind in his entire career.  This problem isn't all that new.

I actually think that some of it is that players have little leeway to "police" the game themselves anymore.  Forget about fighting when you think a guy's being too rough with you, you have to worry about how hard you foul somebody today.  By forcing players to rely totally on the refs to keep the game under control, they can't help but become more sensitive to and frustrated with the officials.

Mike

Great point. That is definitely a factor. The refs have a much more prominent role in todays NBA. The more control you take away from the athletes, the more they feel helpless and angry when something doesnt go their way. I completely get that.

A question about the NBA historically. Was Kareem the exception or the rule when it comes to complaining?

I am a little young to remember anything before the early 90's.

Still though the over reacting to calls needs to end. Say your piece QUICKLY while running down the court.

Like I said I dont agree with the NBA's execution of the solution, but players need to work on this.

[LooseCannon]

KG is smarter than Gilbert Arenas.  He intentionally got T'd out of the game to get more PT for Luke Harangody and nobody suspects a thing.

[fairweatherfan]

KG is smarter than Gilbert Arenas.  He intentionally got T'd out of the game to get more PT for Luke Harangody and nobody suspects a thing.

TP, mother$#^&@$^.

[kozlodoev]

KG is smarter than Gilbert Arenas.  He intentionally got T'd out of the game to get more PT for Luke Harangody and nobody suspects a thing.

TP, mother$#^&@$^.

That would be a technical for you!

[Witch-King]

"The Kevin Garnett rule"

The "He Knew This **** Was Coming, So Rasheed Decided He Might As Well Retire Rule"

TP. Quoted for Truth.

What disturbs me is how Rajon Rondo is able to keep his cool when he has veteran teammates on his squad who in the same situation would just flip-out and get a technical foul or get ejected. Huge props for him being able to maintain his composure out there, especially seeing how he is prone to being the victim of hard fouls because he is good at finishing in the paint.

While I agree, I also want to point out that I feel like his veteran teammates feel as though they have earned the right to question some calls. When you are in the league for as long as KG, Paul, and JO you have seen alot of good calls and alot of bad calls and can tell the difference.  This tenure in the league should also come with some respect shown from the officials to the veterans though, which wasnt the case last night.

Well, they gave it in heaps to Amare Stoudamire! 

^lol, it seems as though even foreign basketball players dislike the NBA refs 

It might actually be amusing if someone like Manu or Anderson Varejao recieved a technical foul after flopping because they were complaining that the refs didn't call it an offensive foul... I found that picture on the NBA blog 'ball-don't-lie' (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie).

Interestingly enough the name of that blog was coined by the great Rasheed Wallace.

[ACF]

Please read FL's piece on Stern and the new tech rule.

http://www.celticslife.com/2010/10/random-thoughts-as-nba-gets-technical.html

Remember to let Herr Stern know this new rule of his is not okay. Thanks.

[LilRip]

i think the technical fouls called last year were alright already in terms of "controlling players". IMO, they could've been called looser actually, especially with regards to double T's but whatever.

I don't think citing the fact that some guys can keep their cool while others can't is a valid argument. It's like saying, how come some guys can perform in the clutch (Paul Pierce) while others can't (Vince Carter)? Because some people are able to keep their head in that situation while others can't take the pressure. Controlling your emotions is a skill, but in a setting where you have to absolutely fight for everything (position, rebounds, screens, loose balls, etc.), i can understand how some guys can be really amped up and get upset, ESPECIALLY if they think they are innocent. If you, the fan, have ever watched a live broadcast and you've gotten upset at the TV because of a ref's blown whistle at least once in your life and you've reacted with an outraged "what?!" or something similar, then i'm sure you can kind of understand what the players are going through themselves. And to think, you're only watching on TV! It's different when you're watching in the arena, and it's different when you're on the floor.

I'm not defending all players' reactions, but i think you have to be able to give players time to react. It's an emotional game and when a player gets called for a foul he didn't commit, it can be exasperating. Add to this, some players need this emotion to be able to mentally get into games (KG) while others go about it in a more methodical fashion (Ray Allen).

regarding "incessant complaining", it's a fast game. I'll admit that the refs often do a great job but despite that, they're not able to see everything that's going on out there. And this is why players still approach refs "lobbying for calls" and giving them additional heads up as to what's going on. I figure they often say what they feel like the other team or a particular player has been getting away with throughout the game. I figure they're also asking the ref what's ok and what's not ok to do. What's a foul and what isn't because as a poster had said previously, it changes every game. They're not berating the refs or getting in their face. They're speaking in a civilized manner.

A situation comes to mind about poor technicals, Perkins v. Magic in game... 5 was it? He gets called for a foul he didn't commit. He goes "what?!" but walks away and grumbles to himself but he still gets called for his 2nd tech. I'm pretty sure that call changed the game.

i know refs are human and they can get upset at certain player's antics, but isn't that part of their job description?? To police the game and remain impartial at all times? If anything, these guys are the ones who should be the ones to keep a cool head, not the players.



- LilRip

[The DarkPassenger]

I don't like the direction that the NBA is going with this and I hope that they abandon this before the season starts. This season should be the highest rated season I think for the NBA in a while and should start moving them in a good direction but honestly if the refs call games like they intend to then this season might just be the lowest rated season.

I have been watching the Celtics for as long as I can remember, Bird and Mchale were still there and I watched them after those times and through the early Pierce years and I must say... if they call games like they have been... I won't be watching because it won't be worth it... the games will be controlled by the refs even more now and the chances that a big name will be ejected for sneezing or coughing after they foul someone.

[radiohead]

here's adrian wojnarowski's take on this new "technical" rule. quite an interesting read...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Am.EVA3OJI1rKV7hWw42nCS8vLYF?slug=aw-sternofficiating101410

[wiley]

here's adrian wojnarowski's take on this new "technical" rule. quite an interesting read...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Am.EVA3OJI1rKV7hWw42nCS8vLYF?slug=aw-sternofficiating101410

Another good read, thanks. 
It would have been easy to make a rule that works towards curbing the amount of compainng, but instead they totally screw it up with this bogus snake-pit of ambiguity.

To deal with a complainer along the lines of Sheed, the on-going complaint that never dies, in other words (Kobe and others are also guilty of letting their complaints drag on), all they had to do was set time limit for complaining about a specific call.  If it goes beyond 7 seconds, or 5 or whatever, the ref can T-up the player....that's it.  It keeps the game moving.

Instead, a player gets a fould called in a key situation and hops in the air with frustration.  How does the ref know if he's upset due to the situation or the call itself.  Obviously it's both, but that hop in the air right after the call is NOT an example of complaining, whining, or any other sort of ref abuse. 

My new slogan and I hope you all adopt it:  NBA is stupid.  That goes until they change/fix this rule.

[EJPLAYA]

Thought you'd all like to read the response I got back from the NBA in regards to my email to them about the technicals:


Thank you for contacting the National Basketball Association with your comments regarding NBA's Respect for the Game guidelines.

We are renewing our emphasis on these guidelines, which were implemented several seasons ago.  The guidelines do not prohibit players from reacting to or disagreeing with calls; it simply means they cannot do so excessively. Our players show an extraordinary passion for the game.  But when it comes to protesting calls made by the officials, that passion has increasingly resulted in prolonged complaining or gestures and other actions that show a lack of respect for the game. These incidents reflect poorly on our players and increased significantly last season.  

The league has taken a number of steps to ensure players are aware of the guidelines, and can adjust to them.  Prior to the start of the preseason, the NBA met with head coaches to discuss the application of the rules. During the preseason, we met with each team individually, emphasizing with coaches and players the importance of the rules, and ensuring they understand them.  We are not looking to slow our game down with numerous technical fouls and have instructed referees to warn players where possible (e.g., for less forceful gestures or repeat, but short, complaints) instead of issuing a technical.

Thank you again for your concern.  We appreciate your feedback regarding this issue.

Sincerely,

NBA Fan Relations

[mmbaby]

Stern always claims that this is what the fans want.

He is lying and it's clear that he just wants credit for being what he thinks is a good guy and he is delusional.

It also allows the league to charge money to a player every time a tech is called. Hmmm.

Show some respect for your bread and butter, Stern. Without them, you would have nothing.

[mmbaby]

One more rant; I didn't finish.

You, Stern, show a great lack of respect for the players. They are not your little bad boys who need discipline.

Basketball players are probably the most intelligent and well- mannered players of all sports and do more to help kids and the community than anyone else.

Leave our guys alone and quit trying to attract attention to yourself, Stern.