Foul Play: NBA's Newest Rule Deserves a Technical

According to Ronald Johnson, Senior Vice President, Referee Operations, the fans are sick and tired of watching players complain over a call.   Yeah, right! What fans?   I would like to know how many fans participated in those focus groups and what types of questions did the facilitator ask them.   Fans love it when players express their emotions on the court especially over a bad call.  David Stern could care less about what the fans want because he is too busy trying to appease corporate sponsors.  For example,  after a few NBA players  showed up in sweat suits, baggy jeans, and a whole lot of bling to an event, the NBA decided to work on its image.  I will save my thoughts on that rule for another blog. The following season, Stern announced a dress code for all players when representing the NBA on official business.    That is a reasonable request but this rule applies to injured players sitting on the bench too.    This is crazy talk.  If the player isn't suited up for the game, he should be allowed to dress in jeans and a sweater.   Stern has always been a control freak so this latest "Respect for the Game" rule does not surprised me but it does annoy me. 

USA Today broke down the different ways to earn a technical for violating the "Respect for the Game" rule.

• Making aggressive gestures, including air punches, anywhere on the court.
  My Take:  If by aggressive gestures, they mean giving the official a middle finger or simulating choking, then yes, I am all for eliminating those.   In terms of air punching, what's the big deal as long as they don't connect with anyone.

• Disagreeing with the ref in an overt manner, the whole look of amazement genre.
  My Take: Again, if the player is threatening the official, then I am down with this rule. However, I still believe a player should still be allowed to express himself.

• Running directly at a ref to complain.
  My Take: This one makes me giggle because players rarely run towards an official.  Players and officials are usually in the area that the foul is called, so there is no need to run.

• Dragging out the postmortem of a foul call with continued questions, even if it's done politely.
  My Take: If the referee answers the question the first time, the player will stop asking! 

• Any body language that indicates the call is being protested
  My Take:   What is the difference between this and the agressive gesture rule?

Recently, Jason Williams from the Orlando Magic was suspended for complaining too much and apparently getting too close to the official.  See for yourself, video link  Now, that you've seen the video, don't you agree that this rule is ridiculous?  Why shouldn't a player be allowed to express himself?  Williams was not abusive but clearly wanted to make a point with the referee. I don't think this warranted two techicals.  I guarantee you that there is no way this "Respect for the Game" rule would be enforced if the poster child of the NBA, Michael Jordan, was still in the game.  Jordan was a notorious complainer (see above photo) who constantly got calls his way and, yet, he still complained.    

By removing the emotional element, Stern is forcing players to hold in their dissatisfaction and, soon, they will begin to take their frustrations out on each other.  Then, there will be a festival of technical fouls and the brand image that Stern is trying to protect will be in jeopardy and all because he doesn't want players to express themselves on the court.   Stern, I am calling a technical foul on you!

By the way, what is your least favorite NBA rule?