"NEW YORK -- With referees whistling technical fouls against players for even the slightest of complaints, the NBA players union issued a strongly worded statement Thursday threatening legal action and saying the changes "may actually harm our product."
"The new unilateral rule changes are an unnecessary and unwarranted overreaction on the league's behalf," NBPA director Billy Hunter said. "We have not seen any increase in the level of 'complaining' to the officials and we believe that players as a whole have demonstrated appropriate behavior toward the officials.
"Worse yet, to the extent the harsher treatment from the referees leads to a stifling of the players' passion and exuberance for their work, we fear these changes may actually harm our product. The changes were made without proper consultation with the players association, and we intend to file an appropriate legal challenge," he said." ESPN
I get what David Stern is trying to do. He doesn't want his players to degrade the referee's officiating, however Billy hunter is correct. The refs already call too many ticky tack fouls as is, and giving them the power to T up everyone if they show displeasure with a call is utterly ridiculous. We have already seen KG get thrown out of a game for smiling and saying "are you serious" and I fear this will happen all the time.
I don't like players complaining any more than you do, however, in a game where every play can really be called a foul a player should have the right to express displeasure. Some people take it to far by running up to the refs and swearing and I'm ok with that, but swatting your hand at him as your walking away should not qualify with the same punishment. David Stern ultimately wants the players to play an unemotional game and thank the refs when they get fouls called on them.
Fuck that, this is a great sport, with the best athletes of any sport and David Stern is making it hard to watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment