NBA Refs Adopt A Zero-Tolerance Rule.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Wallace Cries Foul Over Rule-
NBA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy, meaning antics directed toward officials could bring a quick technical.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- You had to know the Pistons were going to take it personally.

The NBA, in an attempt to cut down on the incessant complaining by players to officials, has instituted what amounts to a zero-tolerance rule this season.

Where in the past the referees might look the other way when Rasheed Wallace threw his arms in the air or made some other wild gesture after a questionable call, or when Tayshaun Prince put his hands on his hips and shook his head in disgust after a call, this season, such actions could bring a quick technical.

"It's just another 'Sheed Wallace rule," Wallace said, shaking his head. "It just means I must be doing something right. Any time they change the rules of the game for one specific player, you must be doing something right."

Commissioner David Stern would disagree. Stern has long been fed up with what he perceives as the non-stop histrionics and complaining by players.

He has instituted a fine system, starting at $5,000, every time a player or coach makes a public criticism of an official. He has stiffened the consequences on multiple technicals -- $1,000 fine for the first five, $1,500 for the next five, $2,000 for the next five then $2,500 for the ones that followed, plus a one-game suspension for every other technical after the 15th.

"What happens if I am one of the captains?" Wallace asked. "Does that mean I can't talk to them? You can't talk back to them like they're your mom and dad. It's like they're saying, 'If you say something to me I am going to put you on punishment.' That's how it is. I will come up with some way to tell them how I feel."

Wallace earned 16 technicals last season and a one-game suspension. He could easily double that total.

"I don't understand it, man, especially for a team like ours," Chauncey Billups said.

"They know we are a very emotional team. I feel like this is a Pistons rule. It just gives them easier access to have us open up and get emotional and then, boom, they bust our bubble. It's like they are trying to take the emotion out of the game."

Billups said it will be interesting to see how referees enforce the new edict.

"I plan on having conversations with all of them," Billups said.

"I am going to say, 'Come on, you can't take emotion out of the game.' This is an emotional game. There are highs and lows over the course of 48 minutes. If I am not playing good, or if we don't have some stuff going our way, I am going to be frustrated. You can't expect us to not be emotional about that.'

"'Now, if I'm cussing you out and I am showing you up for real, then I deserve that tech. If I am not, then it's not right.' "

Heat coach Pat Riley doesn't think referees are fooling around.

"They are going to be very conscious of player complaining," he told reporters last week. "That's one of the big things with them. Every call, there's always 10 guys complaining to the officials. They're just telling them to cut it out."

Riley thinks players will still be able to express their opinions to the officials, but will have to watch their body language and tone of voice.

"It's how you approach them and how many times you approach them and what you say to them," he said. "They're going to be open, always, to very positive dialogue. But if you come at them and you do things that sort of mock and humiliate them, it's going to be automatic. They're not waiting."

Prince sees it as another attempt by Stern to control the league's image. It started with the institution of the dress code last season, the automatic technical, ejection and fine for kicking the ball or throwing anything (gum, wristbands, headbands) toward the crowd, and implementation of the fines and suspensions for technicals.

And all of that, in one way or another, leads back to the brawl at The Palace in 2004. It was from that point Stern vowed to take stronger, more proactive approach toward player conduct on and off the court.

"The NBA is always going to do something to be more controlling," Prince said. "That's what they're doing. They are taking the fun out of the game, basically."



I pretty much agree with what the Pistons are saying...I'm starting to HATE David Stern, they really are taking this shit too far and taking the fun out of the game ...PeACe

[d-nice]

Kobe is gonna have to chill out. I have seen him wildin on some refs too.

[wcsoldier]

The game is going softer and softer.. this gonna kill the show, I'm already pissed with all these cheap calls...

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Kobe is gonna have to chill out. I have seen him wildin on some refs too.

I honestly think Kobe keeps his composure better than anyone out there with the way he's reffed...

[d-nice]

Yeah Kobe gets hacked as much as anyone in the league. I remember watching the Laker game against Memphis and he was about to snap in that game. He gave Mike Miller a nice forearm in the throat. 

[d-nice]

I know Wade won't have a problem with this rule. He goes way back with the refs.

[Teddy Roosevelt]

He has instituted a fine system, starting at $5,000, every time a player or coach makes a public criticism of an official. He has stiffened the consequences on multiple technicals -- $1,000 fine for the first five, $1,500 for the next five, $2,000 for the next five then $2,500 for the ones that followed, plus a one-game suspension for every other technical after the 15th.

This is BS. What kind of dictator shit is this? What happened to freedom of speech.
The fact of the matter is basketball is an intece game. Emotions are going to, and should be, expressed.
Stern thinks he is cleaning up basketball when he is just making it soft. Now I'm really starting to hate him. Ever since the new millenium he's been doing some really stupid shit.

[GangstaBoogy]

I know Wade won't have a problem with this rule. He goes way back with the refs.

lmao

man the nba is gettin gayer by the day. its gonna be unwatchable by next season.

[d-nice]

The league and the refs included do not like to be "showed up". Even if they are wrong, they everyone to comply with whatever is said.

[WestCoasta]

I stopped watching the NBA regularly up until a year or two ago... nothing but hype

got tired of hearing all the ass kissing and what not of overrated players

plus the refs are god awful....

hell my dad's been down with the Lakers since the '60s and up until about 4 years ago he quit watching because of the refs obsession with the whistle

I keep up with the Lakers but that's it... I could give a fuck about everything else

especially these homos complaining about something new every other week

not only was it bad when the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the Finals

but it was worse when the Pistons busted out that homo wrestling belt...

I wouldn't be caught dead watching a Nuggets vs. Grizzlies game on ESPN, let alone with the volume turned up

there's my 2 cents on the NBA

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

hell my dad's been down with the Lakers since the '60s and up until about 4 years ago he quit watching because of the refs obsession with the whistle

That's a damn shame homie...True Lakers never die, not even the refs can bring us down.

[ReIncarnated]

yea Stern is geting out of control with all these new rules and regulations. the No Fun League is starting to gain some competition

[rik]

Stern's a fuckin dickhead on a power trip. I hope he get's mugged.

[Ðøšïå]

thats pretty gay. im used to whistles being called every minute though from watching pac10 refs. i still prefer college over pro.

[Don Jacob]

that's stupid, i can't wait til david stern dies and they get a better comissioner.

why are the ref's so protected? if they make a mistake , ANYONE should be able to coment on that, after all it's in the first fuckin amendment! IMO they should be like the NFL and have instant replay and challenges. that'd fuck up the game a lot LESS than this shit, i mean seriously i think it'll get to the point when players or teams could start paying off refs