On the Subject of the Association, Generally

Rules Are Affecting My Enjoyment of the Game: Beyond the suspensions of Stoudemire and Diaw, which were preposterous. Bill Simmons wrote a great column and I share a number of the views that he expressed. Irrespective of flagrant fouls (if they were enforced correctly, Bowen would have about a dozen points in 2007), consistent application of the rules is becoming a huge problem.

1. Offensive Fouls: it’s too easy to draw a foul on contact that is chiefly incidental and should be a pass (see the call Bell drew against Ginobli for the push off). The responsibility should fall on the defender to show that the ballhandler has gained a clear advantage as a result of the contact. The offence should have the benefit of the doubt on close calls; I feel it’s slid too far the other way.
2. Illegal Screens: when one team is penalized for an illegal screen, it seems like there is a forty percent chance that their opponents will be nailed for the same thing on the following possession. The referees can turn their shirts inside-out if I’m wrong, but I feel they should be monitored more closely to avoid tit-for-tat situations. I think that the standards for screens could be clarified. It seems like crashing into players and going flying is an art form for certain players. I think the Association could adapt a more FIBA interpretation and permit more creative offensive plays.
3. Hand-Checking: is not applied consistently. If it impedes the ballhandler, it should be called. Some possessions this post-season have been curtailed because the dribbler was assaulted and everyone looked the other way. If offensive fouls will be tightly called, hand-checking rules should be just a stringent.

Association Rules Are for Entertainment Purposes Only: The Sports Guy thinks the league is trying to prevent another Kermit Washington-Rudy Tomjanovich incident, which was a nearly deadly fluke among a decade of constant in both the Association and the A.B.A.. As a result of the crackdown on fighting, I don’t think one player will almost kill another on the court again.

Nevertheless, David Stern is missing the big picture by not enforcing rules consistently. If the mantra is “rules are rules”, then all rules must be treated as such. Rules have three components: a definition, a set of interpretations, and a penalty. These should be clear and understood by players, coaches, and spectators. Currently, this is not the case.

One of the few positives with the way the Association has handled this series is that is now widely know that Bruce Bowen is a dirty player and will eventually hurt someone seriously. But since most of his crimes go unpunished, they are copied by both professional and recreational basketball players. The level of play will continue to plummet until the rules are rebooted and treated consistently - during the game and afterwards - and this will hurt the sport worldwide.