the hitler link after the video is HILARIOUS!

"Last night, the problem came to a throbbing, pussy head..."

...named Kane Fitzgerald, who behaved in true pussyhead fashion by enforcing David Stern's new throbbing pussy rule...

...which is ironic, because "throbbing pussyhead" is exactly what KG yelled at the ref right before getting ejected...

...which is why, from now on and until said rule is retracted, referees will be referred to as "pussyheads" from now on...

Right?

I'm confused. When Joey Crawford ejected Tim Duncan for laughing, Crawford was suspended. Now Stern has made it so that he wants all refs to act in the same way that caused him to suspend a ref just three years ago? Makes perfect sense!

I think basketball is a special sport in that referees and the players are so up close and personal throughout the entire game. Although I'd ideally like to see less player whining, I think some of these issues get blown out of proportion just because of NBA's intimate setting. For example, if football bench players were complaining about penalties, the referees probably wouldn't even notice.

Just like NBA wants everyone to accept that referees are human and human factors will remain in the game (ex. you can't ask for a video replay of every call to make sure no mistakes are made), NBA should accept that players are human and humans have emotions. Anyone playing in that setting who is serious about winning will complain to some degree at some point. I'm all for NBA informally telling refs to use their judgement and issue out techs to all players who are over-whining or pulling a Rasheed. But, to make no-whining an official rule is a bit much.

Then again, maybe this is a part of Stern's grand plan to slowly disempower players and shed NBA's label as a players' league.

I'm envisioning a scenario here: Game 7 of the 2011 NBA Finals. With three seconds left in regulation, the Celtics are down by 1 to the Lakers. Paul Pierce hits the game-winner over Mamba's outstretched arms, the Celtics bench erupts in celebration, and then half of them are called for techs, because they "punched the air". Mamba hits the free throws and the *&%#ing Lakers win again. Under these rules, would MJ have been T'd up for celebrating after hitting "the shot" against the Cleveland in '89? How many classic moments would we have been robbed of?

Wild Yams -- Progress!

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NBA, IT'S STUPID!

Also, this rule has just inspired the Basketbawful Fantasy League to expand to 11 categories, to include PFs and Techs. This season gonna rock.

I think "puss-filled" head is less confusing. You're not referring to female genitalia, right? I'm not saying your spelling of "pussy" is wrong; just that its dual-meaning (although hilarious) made me read that sentence twice.

Anywho, yeah, it's the "adjustment period" right now. But I think rather than disrupt the game, this could be solved discretely by having the competition committee or someone review the games post-hoc.

In order to provide stronger incentives, successive violations could carry stronger penalties, and T's (and therefore suspensions) could be assessed post-hoc as well.

Doing it this way would both allow for players to express emotions inherent in their nature as human beings, as well as nullify the potential for referee bias against a player (cough SHEED cough) by looking at the play outside the "heat of the moment".

Of course, blatant over-exaggerated and repeated complaining/yelling/getting in the face of players has been and always will be a technical foul.

But is pointing to an elbow as you run back on defense to indicate you were hit really hurting the game so much that it warrants an interrupting whistle from the refs? Ask Kyle Korver.

I guess we'll see how this shakes out. But for now, I remain cautiously pessimistic.

What's the biggest complaint about the NBA: the poor and sometimes-dubious officiating. This rule just puts refs in a worse position for conspiracy-like events.

Stern missed the point here. Players complain because most NBA games can be unevenly called and not because players feel entitled to calls (although they do act that way at times).

he only cares because kg got ejected. just so absurdly biased, that guy. eagh...

@AK Dave: I would've gone with "inflamed" myself. I didn't even know the word pussy could even be used to refer to something that contained pus.

Also, boy are these rules stupid.

AK - dude. It's time to get out of law school for a bit. If you're worried about the exact meaning and context of pussy head, you need a new perspective on life. Go take a poetry class with a bunch of hot bisexual ladies. That will help.

Players should organize a Laugh-In - all the players (including the bench) guffaw loudly over each and every call. Force the refs to call it and to eject an entire team.

Get the fans involved, as well.

Also, this rule has just inspired the Basketbawful Fantasy League to expand to 11 categories, to include PFs and Techs. This season gonna rock.

AnacondaHL, all I can say is...

rock on.

That Woj article that Mr. Bawful linked to is right on the money, in that while fans may have wanted to see less overreacting to calls, these new rules punish players for having any kind of reaction at all. The only way we as fans can expect the players to not react at all when something doesn't go their way is if the players cease caring about the game. If they no longer care if they win or lose, only then will they be able to have no reaction to calls that hurt their team's chances. And since I'm sure none of us wants that, we have to be tolerant of the fact that it's an emotional game, and players occasionally will be upset or excited by what transpires on the court. They should be T'd up for excessive pouting or complaining, but they need to be given the leeway to react in a natural manner to what happens during these games.

The intention was good but the execution was horrible, trying to solve an annoying problem by being even more annoying. I wish I had been in that market research group. I would have told them that while I find players reacting to every foul call annoying, excessive technicals and unchecked referees are worse.

I wish they would try to make more of a serious effort to deter flopping. Like everytime Derek Fisher flops on jumpshots or Ron Artest gets bent over by a light Rondo push, retroactively access them a technical. After five flopping technicals, they should miss a game.

I think the notion that this move is a Stern/Owners power move. The point is not really how long they enforce it or whether or nor it sticks... or maybe it is. Implementing this in the such a tenuous labor year is clearly an F-YOU to the players (and hence their union). It screams the owners message, "Recognize & Behave. Fall in order. We will break you & eat yr baby mamas souls for breakfast."
That's actually a direct quote from Stern's diary.

For those unable to get into the official Bawful League:

http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/75619

League ID: 75619
PW: celtics

IMO they are being hard asses during the pre-season and will be more lenient during the regular season. I think the issue isn't the immediate reaction, but the prolonged reaction. And by that, I mean any demonstrative reaction three seconds after the call is a technical.

Meanwhile, in L.A...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=An5rCp8TZVF6fgNEuZLlYk28vLYF?slug=ap-lakers-vujacic

"Inadvertently." Right.

I bet chris isn't surprised in the least bit surprised by this news.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/15/3105835/ex-kings-star-martin-gets-default.html

Will: I love how he's listed as a "star," when he basically was a good player on a bad team (at best).

So how do you feel about Jordan's claim that he'd score 100 in today's league


I call bullshit. Yes the rules are better suited for guards, but Jordan's NBA was more watered down than people like to admit. The NBA today is littered with abysmal offensive players who can lock down or hinder any good wing player

@Kazam92: Yeah, 100 points is a bit much, but if he were playing in today's nba he'd be going to the stripe about 30 times a night. And very few of these wing defenders have to face good post scorers like Jordan.

Well good post game Jordan was 2nd edition Mike after baseball so it also depends which Jordan we are talking about to score 100. 69 pts were scored by unstoppable driving to the Jordan i.e. 1st edition Jordan

@Ignarus
Don't let the Pro-Celtics bias get to you, it's all over the site. Thankfully, it doesn't get in the way too much most of the time. However as a Lakers fan and Celtics-hater it can get a bit annoying sometimes (Considering the Laker hate here too.)

Back on topic, no clue why Stern is trying to drag things down this way.. seems a bit counter-productive, no? Seeing KG get ejected did bring a smile to my face though. :)

I dropped an email to the NBA:

I've been watching the NBA since the 70's, and the new technical foul rules are perhaps only exceeded in ridiculousness by the 3-to-make-2 rule from years gone by. If you're looking for a return to the "players don't give a damn years" like the late 70's, then this rule change is perfect, since damping out player emotion is the most likely result of your enforcement policy. I suspect that a secondary result will be a damping out of fan emotion and interest, as well.

If you feel the need to tinker with the rules, maybe a look at better instant replay utilization is more useful.

Thank you,
K



I got back what is likely a form letter:

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