11/23/24
October 11, 2006
New NBA Rules: Players can no longer complain about a bad call...what's next?
posted by SDM to basketball at 01:07 PM - 25 comments
The "'Sheed Wallace Rule"? How about the Duncan Rule... This rule might make the NBA even less entertaining.
posted by Hornsfan817 at 02:04 PM on October 11, 2006
Maybe i'm old fashioned in my thinking(which is ironic b/c i'm in my 20's), but this seems like a rule that has been long overdue. While i'm not against talking in a respectful tone to the ref, i'm completely against the arguing and the whining. Some comments (for those of us who can read lips) made by players to the referees are beyond the bounds of good taste and human dignity. No way ANY human, be it ref, player, or coach should be talked to in such a caustic manner. I am a bit surprised @ the comments so far. Would any of us be allowed to say some of those things to our bosses at work? While the refs aren't the players "employers," they do have a similar role as a boss in the sense that each carries some authority over what is proper conduct at work. Many on this site talk about sports being a business; if this is so, maybe the players should act like professionals, and role with the punches or talk to the right people, just like the rest of us have to do when we disagree with those who have authority over us at work. That being said, i think that bkdet is right in that the refs do get away with alot of bad calls; but this should be handled by who has authority over them, like Stern. I guess i am very slow to jump to the defense of the helpless "proletariat" who makes more in a day than all the refs put together in a year.
posted by brainofdtrain at 02:18 PM on October 11, 2006
...Whats next? Maybe now they'll actually call traveling too...
posted by Kendall at 02:34 PM on October 11, 2006
I am 100% for this rule change. Obviously someone noticed that players were arguing more frequently with officials and decided that it has a negative impact on how the sport is perceived. I agree. The funny part of this article is Rasheed Wallace's comment about this being a "Sheed Wallace Rule". I'm sure the NBA is not concerned about making rules for a guy that averages 14 points a game. Someone should have spanked that kid while he was growing up.
posted by LA-4-Life at 02:37 PM on October 11, 2006
This is already being discussed in this thread. Just sayin'.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:45 PM on October 11, 2006
I love this rule. I wish the NFL would do the same for all the whining WR's always begging for a flag when they miss a pass. Just shut up and play ball.
posted by bobrolloff at 02:57 PM on October 11, 2006
BS...that's all I can Say.
posted by sydney2006 at 03:13 PM on October 11, 2006
Just a thought, but don't technical foul free-throws slow down the game and break the momentum of the action, suspense and enjoyability of the game?
posted by jaygolf at 03:21 PM on October 11, 2006
BS...that's all I can Say. Then maybe you should have said nothing?
posted by Venicemenace at 03:51 PM on October 11, 2006
Amen, Venice, amen. LA-4-Life: given that Sheed averages nearly as many Ts per game as baskets, this is definitely the Sheed Rule. The Mighty MJD, as usual, has the first and last word on the subject.
posted by tieguy at 04:50 PM on October 11, 2006
I would admit that this rule would have the most effect on a cry baby like Wallace, however I seriously doubt that the NBA came up with the rule because of or for Rasheed Wallace.
posted by LA-4-Life at 05:21 PM on October 11, 2006
I would admit that this rule would have the most effect on a cry baby like Wallace, however I seriously doubt that the NBA came up with the rule because of or for Rasheed Wallace.
posted by LA-4-Life at 05:21 PM on October 11, 2006
I would have to see exactly how tightly they are going to enforce this rule before I make a final call on it. That said, expecting the players to be emotionless robots(like tiger) is expecting way too much and IMO, wrong-headed. Is this where we're discussing this? Can we combine the two threads?
posted by tron7 at 06:09 PM on October 11, 2006
"Sheed Wallace Rule". This is very much a Sheed Wallace Rule. It was quite sickening last year when not only the Wallace, but the entire team would complain about every single damn call. I like the Pistons, but that got to be way too out of hand. The reason it's a Sheed Wallace Rule is because Rasheed Wallace complains too much, bitches too much, and gets pissed off even when he has obviously fouled the guy. I don't think the rule was made because of Sheed (or the Pistons), but they did not help prevent the rule in any way, shape, or form.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:56 PM on October 11, 2006
the entire team would complain about every single damn call ...
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:55 PM on October 11, 2006
When it comes to people who scream, argue, whine, and yell with the refs (Sheed, Iverson, Payton, etc.) this rule applys greatly. But, you cant change the rule just because of a few loud mouth people. The refs need to set a parameter of what they are going to take and stick to it...all season. No more different rules for different referees. No more they are going to let you play one minute and then they are going to call every foul the next minute. They need to STAY consistant so the players can actually get used to playing a certain way. Then actually when calls are missed, the players can realize them as just that. Missed calls. A mistake that wont usually happen. Then, if the players choose to mouth off in a disrespectful manner, they get a tech or ejected. No matter who they are. Star or no star. Rookie or veteran. Actually saying that you cant contest or question a call leaves room for players to get offended and feel as if every time they open there mouth or disagree they are going to get in trouble like an 8 year old. Sometimes a quick explaination is all it takes for the player to get over it and make sure he doesnt do it again. Also, it doesnt really slow the game down that much since most of the Q and A between the ref and player happens while the other team is shooting free throws. And if the player misses his defensive assignment becuase he is standing there with his arms in the air, then the other team better score and make him pay for it. Let the coach punish him for it. "Master Stern" will not be happy until he has a bunch of robots on the court playing with no emotion, no defence and all jump shots. I think he is on his way to banning dunking, braids, tatoos, and they will be wearing short shorts again. Okay, that was just my personal opinion of the commish but that how I feel about him. But anyway, the rule is a waste of time and energy, and it gives the refs an easiar cop-out for bad calls. I wouldnt call it the Sheed rule. I would call it the Maverick rule. He saw how bad the series was officiated and all he could think about was, why are they questioning the GODS... I mean refs. AND CHANGE THE DAMN BALL BACK TO THE ORIGINAL. NO ONE LIKES IT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE OTHER ONE. WHAT IS THE BIG FREAKIN DEAL. GO PACERS.
posted by NInobrown1876 at 09:46 PM on October 11, 2006
That being said, i think that bkdet is right in that the refs do get away with alot of bad calls; but this should be handled by who has authority over them, like Stern. When have you heard of a ref being even spoken to about badly officiated games. I haven't.
posted by NInobrown1876 at 09:51 PM on October 11, 2006
Is the NBA trying to imitate FIFA, where a player can get a yellow card just for mildly disagreeing with a call? At the highest level of competition, emotions are intense. Not only is the outcome of a game at stake, but sometimes a player's or coach's job is on the line as well. The pressure can be overwhelming. Why do players and coaches complain so strongly about certain calls? Because THEY CARE! Forcing them to swallow their feelings and "keep it all inside" is a bad idea, as anyone who understands human psychology knows. They need a chance to vent, and unless a player resorts to vulgar or insulting language or gestures, I don't think a technical is warranted. Mere dissent is not enough. By the way, the NBA should get rid of that idiotic dress code, too. Who cares what the players are wearing on an airplane or when they're arriving at the arena before a game? Forget all that corporate business crap. If the NBA really understood its customer base, it would let the players wear hip-hop clothing all the time.
posted by TerpFan at 11:10 PM on October 11, 2006
When have you heard of a ref being even spoken to about badly officiated games. I haven't. 1. Just b/c i haven't, doesn't mean that it hasn't happened. 2. In fact, you might have just proved my point; this needs to be handled by the right people, not by overpaid grown men acting like children.
posted by brainofdtrain at 11:21 PM on October 11, 2006
It doesn't even matter, we can't even get our players to behave off the court, let alone on it. I'll take it as a victory to just have guys on the court. What a waste, Steven Jackson, what a waste.
posted by BamInIndy at 11:24 PM on October 11, 2006
I'll bet if the refs get just a few more calls correct, you would not have WHOLE TEAMS whining about every call. then all you have left is a few wallace or Danny Ainge type players. That would be a more manageable situation.
posted by bo_fan at 01:12 AM on October 12, 2006
The constant complaining about calls delays the games and in most cases is one sided anyway. I am all for this change. Basketball has become a sport of over paid premadonnas. Give me another sport where there is this much complaing. They may complain in Hocckey, but they do it on the way to the box, they don't do it every other play. Football, the coach complains but the game goes on unless he throws a flag (maybe basketball needs instant replay). Bseball managers are expected to argue at least once a game, it is tradition. There is no progression of more rules by the NBA. If the players think officiating is bad, put three officials on the court. I agree, they argue too much and most of the time they just want the foul shots. Good for the NBA on this rule
posted by Psycho at 10:01 AM on October 12, 2006
If the NBA really understood its customer base, it would let the players wear hip-hop clothing all the time. Maybe the NBA understands where real money comes from better than you do, my friend. Protesting every single call in a game isn't showing your individuality, it's being a punk. Artistry and emotion are *supposed* to be expressed inside boundaries created by the (completely arbitrary) rules - that's your essence of sport right there. You compete against one another under a specific, agreed-upon beforehand ruleset, in order to "win".
posted by chmurray at 10:55 AM on October 13, 2006
I think it is kind of stupid. As long as a player acts respectfully when he complains, then there should be no rule against it.
posted by sportsg at 08:26 PM on October 16, 2006
Advice for the players: Don't even look at the ref or even show disgust, not even with your own mistakes or you might get a tech! The refs are becoming all but exempt from their bad officiating at times!