TrueHoop

Share this post

There’s no fine line on flagrant fouls

www.truehoop.com

There’s no fine line on flagrant fouls

Suspensions, ejections, cheap shots, and knowing better

CoachThorpe
Apr 25, 2023
∙ Paid
17
Share this post

There’s no fine line on flagrant fouls

www.truehoop.com
7
Share
BY DAVID THORPE
Paul Pierce fights for this ball like his life depends on it, which is why I have this play saved on my phone. I show it to players all the time. 

In Game 7 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs and Celtics had a jump ball with one minute remaining. The Cavs had been surging. If they recovered the ball, they’d have a chance to tie the game. Zydrunas Ilgauskas controlled the tip, and poked it to LeBron James leaking toward the 3-point line. 

Paul Pierce, though. The Celtics star knew he had one job: Keep LeBron from that ball. LeBron wanted the ball, but Pierce needed it, and had a body into LeBron before the young Cavs star even knew he was in a fight. LeBron’s a far better athlete, but he was badly outfought on this play, thanks to Pierce’s all-out ferocity. 

There’s a timing and a technique to playing with the jet engines roaring. That’s what it takes. 

Meanwhile, halfway through the first round, these playoffs have made news for:

  • Dillon Brooks tagging LeBron James in the groin;

  • Joel Embiid kicking Nic Claxton in the groin;

  • James Harden hitting Royce O’Neale in the groin;

  • Draymond Green stomping on Domantas Sabonis;

  • Jayson Tatum making contact with a referee;

  • Dejounte Murray bumping a referee;

  • Am I missing anything?

These were moments of brainlessness by some of the league’s savviest players. Fans have to be wondering, “Why are all these non-basketball plays dominating the news?” And the most common explanation in the media has been: This is what it takes. The competitive fires burn so brightly you have to expect some nut punches and ref bumps. 

Well, that’s horseshit.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to TrueHoop to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
Previous
Next
© 2023 TrueHoop Inc.
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing