HoopsHype.com Columns

Not blind... just dumb
by Jim Sacco / April 3, 2002

The plain truth is the NBA is not fair. No conspiracy theories here. No talk of the NBA/NBC Unholy Alliance that George Karl and others have made mention to, none of that. The NBA is just not fair when it comes to sending 7-footers to the time-out corner for two games and taking $5,000 from their wallets. It was never more evident than on March 28 when Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal did something that is part of the game — he fouled Detroit’s Corliss Williamson.

It was a hard foul, according to Stu, a “Flagrant Foul Penalty 2” (the final step before “double-secret probation”). But that’s part of basketball, and that’s what happens when two big forwards (O’Neal is 6-11, 242 and Williamson comes in at 6-7 245) bang it inside — bodies clash, elbows get tossed, faces are grabbed. Williamson’s response is not something that happens inside, he reared back and fired the ball at
Jermaine, hitting him in the shoulder.

Of course, O’Neal responded. He threw a forearm at Williamson and tried to punch Ben Wallace and Michael Curry as they tried to restrain him.

The NBA punished O’Neal, but that was expected. He had to sit two games during the pivotal stretch for the Pacers and anted up $10,000. What was a surprise was the instigator of the fight — Williamson — was
only fined $5,000 and played the next night.

Stu needs to clamp down on the instigators. Guys that react badly to things that are part of the game. Guys like Williamson.

Trash talking is part of the game. So when Reggie Miller has a few words with Kobe Bryant after the buzzer sounds, it should be expected. However, on March 3, Kobe didn’t want to hear it and threw a punch at Reggie. A full-scale scuffle ensued and both players were fined (Bryant paid the higher price with $12,500) and suspended for two games. Miller and the Pacers were outraged — rightfully so.

“I was confident the league, after reviewing the tape and interviewing those involved, would see it was clear that I was neither the instigator nor the aggressor in this incident,” Reggie said.

Stu and David didn’t see it that way. But what we see are two events that define the NBA’s brand of justice. There is no precedent. The only thing that will put a smile on the collective faces of the NBA front office is for man like Reggie Miller to allow himself to be attacked while at work and not fight back. Until then players are toying with disaster as the stretch run heats up if they retaliate for anything.

Hey Shaq, next time you go up for a board and Brad Miller grabs you buy your nose and kicks you in the groin don’t push him away and ask him “what the @$!@ are you doing?” Next time, just fall to the floor in a heap and thank him when you come to.

Hey Elton Brand, if John Stockton walks up and pokes you in the eyes while your setting for a free throw, don’t do anything. It’s OK if someone wants do something not part of the game.

Or maybe the recent conspiracy theories are true and Vince McMahon and David Stern have become bedfellows. Maybe Stern went to him for advice on how to “spruce things up.”

First Vince tells Dave to bring back the aging superstar who revolutionized the game (MJ/Hulk Hogan), give some teams pushes and hold other teams back. And do it anyway you can. Use your absolute power. Suspend some players, don’t suspend others.

Dave and Stu might like that idea. They must be wrestling fans and Vince McMahon is always looking to expand his market. XBL anyone?

Jim Sacco is a Virginia Press Association award-winning sports columnist. He writes for www.virginiapreps.com and is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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