Foul Mood: More Technicals Could Be On Way In NBA
Jersey City, NJ, United States (AHN) – NBA referees’ guidelines for technical fouls will include “overt” player reactions to calls, the league announced Thursday.
The annual referees’ meeting held in Jersey City expanded the technical foul to include players making aggressive gestures like air punches on the court.
Running directly at referees to complain about a call, demonstrative disagreement (using body or hand gestures, showing dismay) or extensive questions regarding a call even if handled in a civil manner by the player will also be called a technical foul.
A player who takes the “long path” to an official to complain about a call would be penalized as well.
The NBA’s senior vice president of referee operations cited the major force behind the recent change was audience research.
“Our players are more personally connected to fans than any other sports,” Ron Johnson told ESPN.com.
“We don’t have masks. There’s nothing you can hide on the expression of an NBA players. People expect hockey players to be fighting. They expect baseball managers to be kicking dirt on umpires. But that’s not our game.”
“That’s not what our fans want. They tell us in many many ways and I think we have to adjust to meet the needs of our league and our fans. It’s a business.”
Officials introduced similar changes during the 2006-2007 season but that plan was short lived.
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