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The NBA has added to it’s list of technical foul violations that referees can call. Now, refs are allowed to blow the whistle for the reactions of players to a call. Before this year, a player’s instant reaction to a call was allowed to be overlooked by the refs, but anything excessive would be called. This year, those instant reactions are no longer allowed.
Whistles While You Watch
With this extra technical foul rule, the games are going to be filled with whistles. Because the instantaneous reactions are so uncontrollable, they are very difficult to control and therefore, many players will break this new rule. If the refs follow the letter of the law, then this will lead to many more whistles during the game which will ultimately result in
annoyed fans who prefer the emotions of the player over the high pitched tweet of a whistle any time.
annoyed fans who prefer the emotions of the player over the high pitched tweet of a whistle any time.
Uncontrollable
These immediate reactions to calls are instantaneous and very difficult to control. Holding back these types of emotions during a game would be like trying to hold back a sneeze. It just happens so fast and you don’t really know what you are doing until it’s done. The fact that it isn’t premeditated is what makes it so much fun to watch. Towards the end of a close game, when tensions are high, the emotion of the game is what helps draw people to watch. I know that when I watch a close game and there is a call against the team I am rooting for, I can’t help but jump up and down and yell at the TV. I don’t think about doing it, I don’t expect it to happen, it just happens. It’s even more difficult to control when you are actually part of the play, which is what these players have to go through.
The NBA says that this rule is being put in place to support their new “respect for the game” proposal. But just because a player disagrees with a call, does not mean they are disrespecting the game. No referee is correct all the time. Refs miss calls, and players let them know about it. By taking these types of emotions out of the game, you might as well have a bunch of robots tossing the ball around.
What is going to happen if there is a game that comes down to the wire and a controversial foul is called? The player whistled for the foul will certainly uncontrollably react during with high tension moment. Then he gets whistled for the reaction and that could decide the game. The goal of referees is to go unnoticed, but if they are blowing their whistles twice in a row, constantly throughout the game, then it makes it difficult to ignore them.
This new rule is a big mistake that is going to take much of the passion out of the game, it’s a big mistake.
In my opinion, if a player's immediate reaction to a call results in actions that the ref deems 'disrespectful' then the player deserves to be penalized. Players will still be allowed to disagree with calls, so I think that this will only promote good sportsmanship and set a good example.
ReplyDeleteYa they can still disagree with a call, but they are on such a tight leash now. I feel like not only is it very difficult to control your immediate reactions to a call, but it's a small aspect that adds a lot to the game on another level.
ReplyDeleteI think after this next season the way I will gauge if it is a good or bad rule is if players that have no history of technicals start getting called for their reactions. How will you gauge if it was a good rule?
ReplyDeleteI have to say I just don't like the rule period. But whether or not I can accept it, like you said, really depends on the players and whether or not they can control themselves. The refs have to call it if they see it, but if it starts to decide some games, it needs to be eliminated.
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