Posted: May 29th, 2008 | Author:scou[t] | Categories:NBA, Uncategorized |
Earlier this week, at its annual pre-draft camp, the NBA announced to teams that it will begin imposing fines upon players for ‘clear cases’ of...
Earlier this week, at its annual pre-draft camp, the NBA announced to teams that it will begin imposing fines upon players for ‘clear cases’ of flopping in the upcoming 2008-9 season. On Tuesday, in the Orlando meetings, the league showed some of the first tangible examples of its promise to crack down on ‘flopping’ in games.
Just to be clear, ‘flopping’ is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “throwing or moving oneself in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner.” In the case of the NBA, this is exemplified by a player overreacting to some small contact (or even no contact) in the presence of a defender in order to garner a foul.
Avid fans of the NBA know the serial floppers in the league: Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, etc. Prime examples of flopping (in the minds of The Ace Report) are the two below:
Now, facing yet another opportunity to prove she belongs, Danica Patrick will attempt to win the most recognized event in all of racing. Starting at...
On April 20, 2008, Danica Patrick rewrote history, becoming the first female driver to win a major auto race. She claimed the checkered flag in the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi, satisfying the critics for at least a few months.
Now, facing yet another opportunity to prove she belongs, Danica Patrick will attempt to win the most recognized event in all of racing. Starting at the fifth position, she has as good a chance as any of her competitors to taste the milk in the winner’s circle.
All throughout her brief career, Danica has faced doubts about her ability to clinch the lead in races and finish them. Garnering comparisons to the likes of Anna Kournikova, Patrick has been attacked as being willing to promote herself and gain media stardom before proving herself in races.
The discovery that Tim Donaghy illegally bet on NBA games he refereed has been a sort of ‘coming out party’ for discouraged fans across the sporting world. While Donaghy awaits sentencing for his actions, there have been a number of recent events exposing a fatal flaw in officiating professional sports.
Earlier this week, in a New York Mets/New York Yankees game, Carlos Delgado hit a ball deep to left field. The hit was ruled a foul ball by the head umpire Bob Davidson and play resumed, ultimately with the Mets winning 11-2. However, replays showed that the ball hit the ‘foul pole’ and thusly should have been ruled a regulation home run. Davidson recently apologized for his gaffe, and in this case the ends can justify the means, but his incorrect call has been added to a long list of officiating nightmares.
It is high time that officiating in all professional sports is held accountable to its duty: fairness.
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