Message to David Stern and NBA officials from a fan

[King Baller]

Hello David Stern and NBA officials,

After watching the Kings play the Jazz on Friday, Jan 25 2008 I am perplexed on how the Kings will be able to compete against other teams. Ron Artest was given two technical fouls in this game. The first was while banging with Carlos Boozer. Both men were banging their bodies trying to gain advantage in the paint. Their was some hooking of arms going on, then a Technical was called on Artest. Ron may have hooked arms a little more than Boozer but not by much. Then later Matt Harpring decked the Kings leading scorer, Kevin Martin with his body. Martin jumped up a little ticked off and Artest stepped between them. Harpring suddenly was less agressive. Some bumping went on then the Refs tossed Artest with his second technical.

So there is a double standard. Matt Harpring can deck smaller players and get just a foul. But if Ron Artest bumps larger players such as Boozer he gets a technical.

The technique Harpring used on Martin of slamming his body into Martins body is practiced extensively by players coached by Jerry Sloan. The Phil Jackson led Bulls and now the Lakers also use this body slamming defense. Another variation of it is to ride the player you are guarding with your body, Jordan & Pippen made a living with this and now so does Kobe Bryant. The BODY riding/slamming defense needs to be called evenly for both teams.

How can this be called a competition? In this case the Referees called the game to the advantage of the Jazz. The First Technical on Artest should have been a no call or maybe a double technical, if the Refs wanted to control physical play. The play where Harpring got a foul for knocking Martin to the floor with a body block should have been a flagrant or a technical on HARPRING!!!! But instead the Kings were penalized and Artest was tossed.

If the rules are not enforced even handed the NBA is no longer a competition but some sort of reality TV show that is a scripted sham.

Mr Stern if you allow the Refs to enforce the rules differently for different players, due to their past history, the NBA loses much of its dignity and becomes a form of wrassling.

Good day sir,
King Baller

[KingInExile]

Hello David Stern and NBA officials,

After watching the Kings play the Jazz on Friday, Jan 25 2008 I am perplexed on how the Kings will be able to compete against other teams. Ron Artest was given two technical fouls in this game. The first was while banging with Carlos Boozer. Both men were banging their bodies trying to gain advantage in the paint. Their was some hooking of arms going on, then a Technical was called on Artest. Ron may have hooked arms a little more than Boozer but not by much. Then later Matt Harpring decked the Kings leading scorer, Kevin Martin with his body. Martin jumped up a little ticked off and Artest stepped between them. Harpring suddenly was less agressive. Some bumping went on then the Refs tossed Artest with his second technical.

Just to let you know, you have your facts wrong. You described the circumstances surrounding Artest's first technical correctly, except he was banging with Harpring not Boozer. The second incident where Artest stepped between Martin and Harpring did not lead to a technical on Artest. Artest's second technical came later when Boozer and Artest were banging around and Artest responded by essentially slapping (saying slapping is really over-describing IMO) Boozer's hand away from him after a foul was called.

[King Baller]

-= original quote snipped =-


Just to let you know, you have your facts wrong. You described the circumstances surrounding Artest's first technical correctly, except he was banging with Harpring not Boozer. The second incident where Artest stepped between Martin and Harpring did not lead to a technical on Artest. Artest's second technical came later when Boozer and Artest were banging around and Artest responded by essentially slapping (saying slapping is really over-describing IMO) Boozer's hand away from him after a foul was called.

You are right. Thanks for clearing this up and keeping my post straight. Anyhow the general idea remains the same. The technical foul was not used even handed when it came to Artest. The Jazz were rewarded for their physical play while the Kings, specificly Artest was penalized. It appears the Refs are going to force Artest to play soft while allowing the Known tough guys like Harpring and Bruce Bowen to bang, trip, elbow and slap.

KB

[Ostertag>Duncan]

He was kicked from the game because he was out of control, not during live action play, but during whistles etc. If you don't agree maybe you should turn off the volume so you can't hear the homer commentators. If he wasn't removed you could easily see another Brawl involving Artest.

[UKF]

He was kicked from the game because he was out of control, not during live action play, but during whistles etc. If you don't agree maybe you should turn off the volume so you can't hear the homer commentators. If he wasn't removed you could easily see another Brawl involving Artest.

He was in total control but the refs didnt feel that way. And to think he is going to get in another brawl is asinine, he hasnt gotten in a fight since that has happened..

Your probably better off not posting, just read them. Thanks

[Smills91]

He was kicked from the game because he was out of control, not during live action play, but during whistles etc. If you don't agree maybe you should turn off the volume so you can't hear the homer commentators. If he wasn't removed you could easily see another Brawl involving Artest.

How was he 'out of control'? If anyone was out of control is what that hack Harpring.

Artest was in control the entire time. He knew exactly what he was doing, FIRING UP HIS TEAMMATES. He got 1 technical for glaring and a second for pushing boozer's hand from his back. That's bull.

[King Baller]

He was kicked from the game because he was out of control, not during live action play, but during whistles etc.

Could you point out specificly what actions were out of control?

KB

[UKF]

^Dont expect him to reply...hes got nothing to back up what he said.

[sactownsport]

There's a study that concluded white refs call more fouls against black players than white players (with percentage of black/non-black players factored in) If 1 of their refs worked for the MAFIA, other refs broke simular rules but werent punished, what do you expect?

[sactownsport]

P.S. They were in a city where the state religion didnt even allow blacks in their religion until recently. LOL

[KingInExile]

There's a study that concluded white refs call more fouls against black players than white players (with percentage of black/non-black players factored in) If 1 of their refs worked for the MAFIA, other refs broke simular rules but werent punished, what do you expect?

P.S. They were in a city where the state religion didnt even allow blacks in their religion until recently. LOL

This isn't and should not be about race or religion. Please don't make this into something it is not.

[Smills91]

P.S. They were in a city where the state religion didnt even allow blacks in their religion until recently. LOL

If you're going to do this (Which you shouldn't) AT LEAST get your facts straight.

1) There is no 'state' religion in ANY state.
2) Mormons (Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have always allowed every race into their church. What you're referring to is the Priesthood - which is something Mitt Romney has touched on during his campaign trail, and you should learn the facts about it before you go off spouting misinformation. It was doctrinally based and dates back to the Old Testament - which I'm assuming you've never read.