At least the players tried to calm the crowd down. They knew that it was the wrong reaction to have.
The unfortunate side of the NBA game is that it has evolved into violence that would never have been allowed 40 years ago. The officials were even directed to call hand checking back in the 80’s and 90”. And with it’s redefinition in 2004 it got ridiculous as it allowed the offensive player to use the off hand to open a hole basically right though his opponent. Jabbar made a career out of sweeping the left hand for his hook. And it has blossomed into today’s hits that rival hockey that are not called.
So if you desire to allow the violence, then that’s the type of person you will get to watch. I can go out on the street and see this type of thing for free.
And if you think it isn’t planned out with the Players Assn., the owners, and the players themselves, if you look in the comment section in the back of the rule book and the case book, you’ll find the entry: “Just because there is contact, to include violent contact, does not constitute a foul.” And you’ll find this in the NCAA and National Federation of High Schools rule books also.
There currently 5 players in the NBA that have never fouled out. But of those premier players, none would be considered stars. But if you go back a short distance, the 2010 season, you’ll find an interesting display of what appears to be preferential treatment to sell seats and beer:
Amare Stoudemire - 353 time contact - 311 he got the call
Kobe Bryant - 276 - got call 236
LaBron James - 309 - 269
Kevin Durant - 261 - 231
Dwayne Wade - 356 - 315
Blake Griffin - 346 - 309
Kevin Love - 236 - 213
Chris Bosh - 231 - 219
Derrick Rose - 253 - 239
Each one a major part of the team, each one needs to stay on the floor to sell programs. Coincidence? Yeah right.
rwood