I used to think

[Irish]

I think 4 simple changes could make a big difference in nba officiating.

1. Recend the hand check rule.

I'm not convinced recending it is a good idea, but it is obvious that it is not close to being called in a consistent way. I'd like to know why mugging Nash is not considered a foul when so many ticky tacks get called on the other end.

2. Call the "obvious" flops. Maybe even give a T for it.

I think there is a big difference between offensive players flopping and guys taking charges flopping.

Offensive players who fall down after incidential contact are flopping. You really have to hit most guys awfully hard to knock them over and guys like Manu who are relatively strong should never fall over.

Falling down when taking a charge is a different story. A guy taking a charge is standing still and accepting the full weight of the offensive player IMHO is not flopping even if he theoretically he could remain standing.

Spurs fans seem to equate Bell's willingness to exaggerate the force of charges with Manu's falling over when blown upon. They aren't the same.

3. Modify the flagrant foul rules. If a guy goes to the basket OUT OF CONTROL and gets a normal foul. Hard or not. He should not get a flagrant because the guy was out of control and fell awkwardly.

I totally agree. On the other hand, I think intentional undercutting should be called as a flagrant. This includes jumping under a player taking a jump shot in a way that does not give him space to land.

4. Do away with the rookie/softmore/non star "you have to earn calls" break in. A foul is a foul regardless of the player's stature or skill level.

I'd go further and suggest that reputation should not be a factor. Amare has a reputation for being a weak defender, so he gets repeatedly called on stuff that Duncan doesn't because TD is supposed to be a great defender.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

I would get the more enjoyment knocking the Mavericks out of the playoffs but the Suns are my new favorite team to play and beat in the post season. Good luck!

Spursfan, this qualifies as smack. Please use the smack talk thread for such posts. This is your first strike.

If you would like to create a thread where you actually discuss basketball we would welcome your insight into your team.

Thanks for cooperating with our site rules,
Chris

 

[nowagimp]

I completely agree.... It's like boxing. You can go toe to toe with the champ for 15 rounds....and if its anywhere close....the champ gets the nod. The challenger has to win decsively.

BBall is alot like boxing, but I dont believe baseball, football, or hockeya re the same. Baseball has had alot of different champs, as has football and hockey. Boxing has been tainted for years, yet still successful. Not sure this forumla worked for basketball after jordan. Interestingly all sports have changed the rules to "benefit the sport". Football changed the offensive holding(reggie white rule) to "protect quarterbacks". Baseball has messed with the strike zone to increase run production, hitting and home runs. Basketball allowed more physical play to prevent smaller players(like AI) from embarassing larger players off the dribble, and to allow moving screens to then get rid of those pesky defenders atha were emboldened by the legal use of increased physicality, grabbing. They added the lane and 3 second rule to stop wilt from pitching a tent. They used superstar rules and "rookie can't get a call rules" to protect their investments in the high payed players. I think basketball is the only sport that actually enforced differernt rules for different players. Ticky tack fouls for some and others can mug at will. Most sports at least operate under the pretense that rules are rules, for all the players, only basketball openly admits that "rookies or non stars arent going to get that call". The only "conspiracy" the NBA is guilty of is trying to make more money and preserve the value of its high paid stars. Its just that the NBA is more willing to call different rules for different players than is the rest of major sports. Lebron James run through the playoffs and into the finals last year made a ton of money I'll bet, on memorabilia alone.

 

[SpursFan]

Ok Chris. No problem. Thanks for the warning.

I really don't understand why people think the Spurs play a boring brand of basketball. Of course these comments are coming from the Phoenix Suns fan base who play an up tempo brand of basketball. I think that if this same Spurs team was playing in NY or LA then they wouldn't be considered boring and would be greatly promoted by the NBA.

Ok Ill admit that Spurs aren't as flashy when Tony and Manu aren't playing during the regular season but I really love the way the Spurs play defense in the playoffs. You guys don't see how Manu plays on a nightly basis when hes healthy unless we're playing the Suns or on national TV. The Spurs are a little less exciting when Tony isn't driving the ball. Tim is, well, Tim. Not a very excitable person but he gets it done night in and night out.

I wish this series was later in the playoffs and more on the line but I'd like this to become a rivalry. Right now it's not a rivalry until the Suns beat the Spurs in a meaningful playoff series. If the Suns come out on top then it will be a well deserved and earned victory. Whatever happens I hope the series is played cleanly and the refs/league don't sway the outcome even if it means the Spurs advancing. I just want a competitive well fought match up between these two heavyweights.

 

[jbeecham]

I know this is completely off topic, but I thought it was hilarious that a Spurs fan created a topic called "I used to think" At 1st, I though about how fitting a title that was for a thread made by a Spurs fan, but then he actually spoke and showed he was one of the intelligent fans that was actually willing to talk basketball so I let it slide for a while. Still I finally had to post this because it makes me smile every time I see the thread title.

 

[cobbler]

BBall is alot like boxing, but I dont believe baseball, football, or hockeya re the same. Baseball has had alot of different champs, as has football and hockey. Boxing has been tainted for years, yet still successful. Not sure this forumla worked for basketball after jordan. Interestingly all sports have changed the rules to "benefit the sport". Football changed the offensive holding(reggie white rule) to "protect quarterbacks". Baseball has messed with the strike zone to increase run production, hitting and home runs. Basketball allowed more physical play to prevent smaller players(like AI) from embarassing larger players off the dribble, and to allow moving screens to then get rid of those pesky defenders atha were emboldened by the legal use of increased physicality, grabbing. They added the lane and 3 second rule to stop wilt from pitching a tent. They used superstar rules and "rookie can't get a call rules" to protect their investments in the high payed players. I think basketball is the only sport that actually enforced differernt rules for different players. Ticky tack fouls for some and others can mug at will. Most sports at least operate under the pretense that rules are rules, for all the players, only basketball openly admits that "rookies or non stars arent going to get that call". The only "conspiracy" the NBA is guilty of is trying to make more money and preserve the value of its high paid stars. Its just that the NBA is more willing to call different rules for different players than is the rest of major sports. Lebron James run through the playoffs and into the finals last year made a ton of money I'll bet, on memorabilia alone.

Good points all around. I wasnt trying to imply that basketball and boxing were alike. I just used the boxing analogy to expand on the concept that the reigning champion(s) often get the benefit of the doubt over the challengers.

Good Post