Enforcers or Cheap-Shot Artists?
‘Foul Fouls’ (Melissa Majchrzak - NBAE/Getty Images)
I remember a game where Chambers cold cocked an offender, right in front of the opposing bench, while the officials were busy watching the Jazz bring the ball inbounds, at the opposite end of the floor. Tom looked as “surprised” as everyone else by the crumpled player at his feet. The refs looked at each other, uncertain what to do. Hummm, perhaps he had tripped over a line? The Visitor’s bench was going nuts. No foul was called. No videotape was available to send to the NBA offices. No further hassles for Tommy Gun under the basket that night!
‘Zeke’ was having a great game against Stockton, and The Mailman elbowed his eyebrow open on a lay-up. Webber cheap shots Stock in the wind pipe, ending the Jazz playoff hopes. The Mailman sends The Admiral to the ground, unconscious, having mild convulsions. After the Jazz, and Ostertag, sweep Shaque’s Lakers from the playoffs, The Diesel slaps down Greg to the court, after a practice. Kermit Washington blindsides Rudy Tomjanovich, crushing his face and effectively ending his playing career.
There can be a fine line between a cheap shot and a hard foul.
Do we even want a “Bad Boys” team in the NBA? Do we want violence or hard play? Win at any cost? Hiring “hit men?” Should the offender miss as many games as the injured player? Do we want to foster players like Artest or Rodman? Do we want to enable the thugs of the league?
The NBA is trying to send a message to flagrant foulers and fighters. They ratchet up the penalties and suspensions as problems persist. With much better TV coverage and more camera angles, it’s much easier to correct mistakes and assess penalties.
Should the refs be allowed to review any “hard” foul and not have to wait for the NBA offices?
Is the current NBA “message” getting through?
Jazzaholic
7 Comments to “Enforcers or Cheap-Shot Artists?”
Search Jazzbots.com
Be connected!
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your email
Get the latest from Jazzbots delivered to your phone
Bookmark and favorite Jazzbots.com
Jazz Inside Scoop
The FREE, Official E-mail Newsletter of the Jazz.
The Inside Scoop is one of the best ways to keep up-to-date with your Utah Jazz. We'll provide you with information year-round about the Jazz -- breaking news, special event information, unique merchandise & ticket offers, promotions, advance contest opportunities and more.
Featured Sponsors
Jazzbots Recent Readers
Jazz Polls
Loading ...
I think the message is getting through. The game is a lot less physical today than it was 15-20 years ago, and there are a lot fewer acts of raw aggression. I think the league’s recent suspension of Bruce Bowen demonstrates that the league has made it a point to force players to clean up their act. Then again, the fact that Chris Paul escaped punishment for punching Bowen below the belt demonstrates that not every infraction catches the eye of the NBA office.
I’m not sure what the answer is but a couple suspensions doesn’t mean much when you make the money that the players make these days. It would be nice to be able to have the referees do reviews like the NFL except that it would slow down the game thus causing teams to get out of sync. Maybe just the flagrant ones or perhaps a coach could have one a game that he can ask to be reviewed. The flagrant fouls make me really upset but so do the flops and the pushing into the opposing team with the knee or butt. Maybe being able to do that and get away with it is good basketball but I would like a good honest game of basketball minus the other stuff. The other players are not the only ones to do these things. In the past we have had some players who got away with the little stuff a lot but I am happy to say that this Jazz has enough talent to not have to resort to that (as much). I sure hated last night!!!!!!!
Linda:
That’s the subject of my next blog, which should be posted in the next day or two. I agree completely.
Jazzaholic
Hard fouls happen in the heat of the game. But intentional hard fouls with injuries are pretty cheap. I remember a game when shaque hit AK on top of the head with an elbow. When they showed the replay it looked like shaque looked and saw AK and could have avoided the elbow, instead it looked as though he made a decision to really lay one on. The same game he fouled Ak hard at least twice.
I would think a second or even third look at hard fouls would be worth the extra time it cost to have refs look at it and make decisions on the spot. I also agree that coaches should have the right to request a questionable call reviewed, at least once a half.
I am also interested in hearing any news or comments about the refs and if they are screening them and watching them on replays to see if perhaps they are throwing games or making cheep calls and getting payoff in return. It has happened and I think it will continue as long as atheletes get the huge amounts of money they receive for playing.
Also I feel it is very cheep to allow “seasoned” players or “star players” to foul and not call it or give it to another player. Just because you’re an amazing player doesn’t give refs the right not to give the calls on fouls or other things, (like 5 or 6 steps and not call traveling) or the phoney flops that are the worst acting on TV!? Everyone knows but the refs? Maybe there should be a penalty for phoney flops?
I know refs have a tough job, but it would be less tough if they called the proper call when the see it, or not making a call that they can’t see, just by some players actions, like arm waving and jumping back like they were shot out of a cannon. Some of basket ball is getting as phony as Pro wrestling!!!!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to give opinions and thoughts.
And like the tin man in the wizard of oz who only needed a heart.
I feel the Jazz would be much better ——–If they only had a coach—-
Ernest Monson
eemonson@yahoo..com
Ernest:
The WWE has nothing on the “NBA floppers.”
However, I watched Jerry for over 20 years and think it would be hard to find another coach as good as he is. He and Phil make a great team. For an old guy (he is one month older than I), he’s been very adaptable and changed his style considerably. He probably doesn’t always make the best decisions down to the wire, but who does and he’ll be the first one to take the blame, if things go wrong.
Who would we replace him with?
Jazzaholic
Hello J R,
I respect your comments and enjoy the thoughts you have. I have also watched the Jazz since before Sloan came to be the coach. It was time to replace the previous coach. I think it is time to replace the present coach also.
As to who could replace him, I don’t think he can be replaced. I don’t think there is another coach or new want to be coach that could be as ignorant as sloan.
Sorry just my personal feelings.
There is so much talent on the Jazz team at the present time it is really difficult to give all the players time they probabley deserve. I think there seems to be more team play and less confusion when D.williiams and Boozer are both resting on the bench. They are awsome players but they play the old WIlliams to Boozer, style ball as sloan has always played. If it isn’t happening with just the two top players sloan seems upset with missed shots or bad passes that other players make. But if the main men make the same mistakes they don’t get the hateful looks that others get.
The Jazz have so much potential I don’t think their present coach or coaches, (Linda), quite know what to do with all the good players they have.
Thanks Ernest Monson
eemonson@yahoo.com
I think Jerry is a lot like Mark Eaton. We probably won’t appreciate what they meant to the team, until after they’re gone.
Jazzaholic
Leave your Comment