There needs to be a new rule for the NBA playoffs: the team that whines the most loses. That might eliminate some of the incessant playoff gamesmanship and complaining.
I have not been a big NBA fan for many years. Come playoff time, I watch a bit of a game here, five minutes there, but almost never a full game.
One of the big turnoffs is the constant whining to the officials, shoulder shrugging, arms extended out with the expression, “WHO, ME?” YES, YOU! You committed the foul. Now run back down to the other end of the court and play defense.
The Golden State Warriors have taken their peevish behavior to new heights this year, bordering on several players contending for WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) status. Notice how the word “entertainment” is in that title, not “sport.” That’s where the acting is going in the NBA if you watched any snippets of James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, the petulant and irritable foursome of the Warriors.
Iguodala, has, if you watch closely, NEVER COMMITTED A FOUL IN HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE. Just ask him. He’ll plead his case, shake his head, wave his hand at the official, give his “big-eyed” look like he’s the most innocent player on the planet.
“Hey Andre, you know what? That WAS a foul. And YOU committed it.” Now shut up and go play.
Harden and Curry love to act. Beyond the fact that they tried out for WWE this past playoff series, egging on the fans, looking for their encouragement, like the fans get to make the calls (NOT!), you’d think they might want to go to Hollywood or Broadway with their brilliant acting skills, repeatedly attempting to snow the officials through tricks, facial expressions and cheap moves they make on the court.
They’ve forgotten how to play basketball, and the NBA is worse off because of it. I’m astounded at how many pure basketball fans I know who’ve come up to me this year and said the NBA is in deep trouble based on the belligerence of the players.
There are solutions. Fines can be increased. The league can crack down through its officials on bad behavior of players.
Maybe they could even consider keeping a “whine” count throughout the game and create some form of penalty for chronic crankiness. Grouch a certain amount and the opposing team is granted extra points. Exceed a certain level of grouchiness and you are banned to your bedroom or you have to stand at attention facing the crowd, with no expression on your face while the crowd is allowed to boo you for 60 seconds.
You’ll see that it’s the elite players who snap the most. The young guys, the up-and-comers who are hungry, fight through the picks, absorb contact, push the ball, want to get reps. They’re sharing the ball, playing through contact, seeking the win through their actions, not by trying the manipulate the officials into making a call.
It will be interesting to see if the NBA even cares about this. Do they want to stop the crabbiness, arguing and finger pointing?
Sadly, it seems to more of our culture these days as people look to blame others for any little thing that happens instead of taking responsibility, picking yourself up and moving on. It’s time we all root for the team that whines the least.
I have not been a big NBA fan for many years. Come playoff time, I watch a bit of a game here, five minutes there, but almost never a full game.
One of the big turnoffs is the constant whining to the officials, shoulder shrugging, arms extended out with the expression, “WHO, ME?” YES, YOU! You committed the foul. Now run back down to the other end of the court and play defense.
The Golden State Warriors have taken their peevish behavior to new heights this year, bordering on several players contending for WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) status. Notice how the word “entertainment” is in that title, not “sport.” That’s where the acting is going in the NBA if you watched any snippets of James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, the petulant and irritable foursome of the Warriors.
Iguodala, has, if you watch closely, NEVER COMMITTED A FOUL IN HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE. Just ask him. He’ll plead his case, shake his head, wave his hand at the official, give his “big-eyed” look like he’s the most innocent player on the planet.
“Hey Andre, you know what? That WAS a foul. And YOU committed it.” Now shut up and go play.
Harden and Curry love to act. Beyond the fact that they tried out for WWE this past playoff series, egging on the fans, looking for their encouragement, like the fans get to make the calls (NOT!), you’d think they might want to go to Hollywood or Broadway with their brilliant acting skills, repeatedly attempting to snow the officials through tricks, facial expressions and cheap moves they make on the court.
They’ve forgotten how to play basketball, and the NBA is worse off because of it. I’m astounded at how many pure basketball fans I know who’ve come up to me this year and said the NBA is in deep trouble based on the belligerence of the players.
There are solutions. Fines can be increased. The league can crack down through its officials on bad behavior of players.
Maybe they could even consider keeping a “whine” count throughout the game and create some form of penalty for chronic crankiness. Grouch a certain amount and the opposing team is granted extra points. Exceed a certain level of grouchiness and you are banned to your bedroom or you have to stand at attention facing the crowd, with no expression on your face while the crowd is allowed to boo you for 60 seconds.
You’ll see that it’s the elite players who snap the most. The young guys, the up-and-comers who are hungry, fight through the picks, absorb contact, push the ball, want to get reps. They’re sharing the ball, playing through contact, seeking the win through their actions, not by trying the manipulate the officials into making a call.
It will be interesting to see if the NBA even cares about this. Do they want to stop the crabbiness, arguing and finger pointing?
Sadly, it seems to more of our culture these days as people look to blame others for any little thing that happens instead of taking responsibility, picking yourself up and moving on. It’s time we all root for the team that whines the least.
