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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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".
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.
