Are NBA rules not made for stars?

[Mainstreet]

Russell Westbrook was supposed to be suspended for a game after he received his 16th technical foul. He would have missed the Portland game endangering their chances of getting in the playoffs. And poof, it is recinded. Why are fans not surprised?

It brings back painful memories of when Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for a critical game while the Suns were in the playoffs.

See article by Marc Stein an ESPN.

The NBA has rescinded a technical foul against Russell Westbrook, meaning the All-Star will not face an automatic one-game suspension while the Thunder battle for a playoff spot.

The league's decision will allow Westbrook to play against the Trail Blazers on Monday, one day after he was called for a technical foul in Oklahoma City's loss to the Pacers.

It was Westbrook's 16th technical foul of the season, which would have resulted in an automatic one-game suspension.

This is Westbrook's second technical foul in the last seven games that was rescinded by the league after the fact. A technical he received on April 5 against Houston stood as his 15th of the season, but techs at Phoenix on March 29 and again Sunday night at Indiana were later ruled incorrect by the league office.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...avoids-suspension-nba-rescinds-technical-foul

 

[elindholm]

This isn't going to change, so anyone who wants to keep following the league just has to accept it. It used to drive me crazy, but now I find it just sad. The NBA cares much more about the "entertainment value" of its product than it does about fairness. Of course it isn't at the level of the WWE, but neither is it a legitimate sporting competition.

 

[Mainstreet]

This isn't going to change, so anyone who wants to keep following the league just has to accept it. It used to drive me crazy, but now I find it just sad. The NBA cares much more about the "entertainment value" of its product than it does about fairness. Of course it isn't at the level of the WWE, but neither is it a legitimate sporting competition.

I keep hoping this is wrong but I reluctantly have to agree, the NBA is in the entertainment business. IMO, the game could stand on it's own if it wasn't for those who believe otherwise.

 

[Dback Jon]

I keep hoping this is wrong but I reluctantly have to agree, the NBA is in the entertainment business. IMO, the game could stand on it's own if it wasn't for those who believe otherwise.

This is why it is so hard for me to get into the NBA again.

 

[Cheesebeef]

This is why it is so hard for me to get into the NBA again.

Ican't speak for you, but I can for myself here... it's hard for me because the Suns are AWFUL. I have ZERO desire to watch this motley crew of a team (which has been bad for five years) and because the Suns suck, the rest of the games have no impact whatsoever on them or my viewing experience. There's literally ZERO juice in watching ANY game at this point for me, especially during the regular season.

Maybe I'll watch the Finals, but if I do, it's only because Duncan can win his 6th and make Laker fans crazy... or LeBron does the unthinkable and brings a title to Cleveland cementing himself as a basketball God... which will make Laker fans crazy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This isn't going to change, so anyone who wants to keep following the league just has to accept it. It used to drive me crazy, but now I find it just sad. The NBA cares much more about the "entertainment value" of its product than it does about fairness. Of course it isn't at the level of the WWE, but neither is it a legitimate sporting competition.

To me, legitimate competition is entertaining. Anything else is not. That's why I was never interested in the old WWF, and lost interest in professional boxing.

I am finding it more and more difficult to justify the time I spend following the NBA and the Suns in particular.

There was a time when the athleticism of the NBA was enough of a spectacle and it was worth watching the Globetrotters make fools of the Generals. But the athleticism is not commonplace, and the skills have diminished. But the entertainment value of true competition never diminishes.

 

[Mainstreet]

To me, legitimate competition is entertaining. Anything else is not. That's why I was never interested in the old WWF, and lost interest in professional boxing.

I am finding it more and more difficult to justify the time I spend following the NBA and the Suns in particular.

There was a time when the athleticism of the NBA was enough of a spectacle and it was worth watching the Globetrotters make fools of the Generals. But the athleticism is not commonplace, and the skills have diminished. But the entertainment value of true competition never diminishes.

On this we can agree. I did not want the Suns to win that last Utah game if the foul call was not legitimate. The referees should be taught to call the game regardless of the players or the teams. Players can adjust to the game. No need for favoritism. However, I think athleticism in the NBA is commonplace and well worth watching. No need for the referees to mess with the game.

 

[WildBB]

No, it's like a literal, "court" room.

Two kinds of justice.

 

[sunsfan88]

I feel like Westbrook is NBA's new darling. 2 techs rescinded in 2 weeks is just ridiculous.

2% of techs have been rescinded this season. Just 2%.

 

[BC867]

Star Power rules. Especially in the NBA, with only five starters on each team.

That is one of my gripes with the Suns.

If we are going to rebuild over six years, rebuild. Then attract a superstar.

If we are not, have a superstar to draw the crowds. Unfortunately, that would have to be one who feels better about himself the weaker the players around him are.

We have regressed, not rebuilt.

And if Eric Bledsoe is the closest we can come to a superstar, we have not come close to a superstar.

The Suns are stuck in the middle. The land of mediocrity. No star, no hope.

The Suns on Sarver's watch have fumbled badly.

And tens of thousands of fans (if not more) have felt the frustration.

 

[Catlover]

Star Power rules. Especially in the NBA, with only five starters on each team.

That is one of my gripes with the Suns.

If we are going to rebuild over six years, rebuild. Then attract a superstar.

If we are not, have a superstar to draw the crowds. Unfortunately, that would have to be one who feels better about himself the weaker the players around him are.

We have regressed, not rebuilt.

And if Eric Bledsoe is the closest we can come to a superstar, we have not come close to a superstar.

The Suns are stuck in the middle. The land of mediocrity. No star, no hope.

The Suns on Sarver's watch have fumbled badly.

And tens of thousands of fans (if not more) have felt the frustration.

It might take us 6 years to rebuild but so far it's just been a 2 year rebuild. Missing the playoffs and rebuilding are not always the same thing.

 

[Mainstreet]

I still remember the Suns sign and trade with Atlanta for Joe Johnson. Atlanta paid a hefty price to get a star and it looks like it worked by elevating their franchise. The Suns received Boris Diaw, two first round draft picks and a 6 million trade exception.

If Brandon Knight turns out tho be a star or leads to a trade for a star, this trade will have been worth it. I think this is what McDonough is trying to do. Get a star in any way possible.

 

[BC867]

It might take us 6 years to rebuild but so far it's just been a 2 year rebuild. Missing the playoffs and rebuilding are not always the same thing.

Good point. Frankly, I don't think the rebuilding process has begun. Just stabs in the dark.

Or, as I think Horny was quoted as saying, "We'll just keep trying until we find something that works."

That's encouraging.

 

[elindholm]

I still remember the Suns sign and trade with Atlanta for Joe Johnson. Atlanta paid a hefty price to get a star and it looks like it worked by elevating their franchise.

It elevated them to a handful of 50-and-fade seasons in a row, a streak that wasn't broken until Johnson left. I don't think that's a good example.

 

[Mainstreet]

It elevated them to a handful of 50-and-fade seasons in a row, a streak that wasn't broken until Johnson left. I don't think that's a good example.

It was worth a shot. The Suns came near getting Horford but the Hawks got him at #3. However, Teague wasn't drafted until #17. The Suns need to get lucky or good in the draft.

 

[Covert Rain]

It was worth a shot. The Suns came near getting Horford but the Hawks got him at #3. However, Teague wasn't drafted until #17. The Suns need to get lucky or good in the draft.

This. Really as our team reputation stands, we really have to rely on getting lucky in the draft or pulling off trades to get really really good and back in the title hunt.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It elevated them to a handful of 50-and-fade seasons in a row, a streak that wasn't broken until Johnson left. I don't think that's a good example.

true, but you have to remember the complete and utter dumpster fire that the Hawks had been for six years before they got JJ. Afterwards, they turned into a team that continually made the playoffs, got the second round of the playoffs three times and haven't missed the playoffs in the last 8 years. That's not to say JJ was reponsible for everything, but going out and getting a guy who made 5 All-Star teams, a 3rd Team All-NBA and was an Olympian was a large part of the foundation for what turned the franchise around from a complete joke into a believable NBA playoff team which they parlayed into making a great team this year.

 

[Phrazbit]

I dunno, I feel like the biggest change for Atlanta was came with hitting a few studs in the draft after a run of disastrous high lotto picks.

Its been a decade since Joe Johnson left and Atlanta is only now looking like a legit contender. Change does not come overnight, that is the biggest reason all of the "we need to dump everyone" talk is IMO a terrible idea. I think McD's early draft record is solid, other than the Knight trade I think he has swung very good value in trades. I think its really really stupid to decide to dump him because we took a few steps back after moving a mile forward from what he took over.

 

[sunsfan88]

It elevated them to a handful of 50-and-fade seasons in a row, a streak that wasn't broken until Johnson left. I don't think that's a good example.

I would rather win 50 games and have a chance in the playoffs than be mediocre by constantly being average enough to land the 13th or 14th pick in the draft over and over and over again.

 

[BC867]

I would rather win 50 games and have a chance in the playoffs than be mediocre by constantly being average enough to land the 13th or 14th pick in the draft over and over and over again.

I agree! As much as I have hated 50-and-fade as the Suns best identity to date, it would be an improvement. Especially if used as a stepping stone.

The powers that be don't have the skill to make either happen.

 

[sunsfan88]

After all that, Thunder still miss playoffs.

Would it really be all that shocking if the NBA did them another favor in the lottery though?

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