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Sports See other Sports Articles Title: Crazy, But It Could Be Worse Crazy, But It Could Be Worse There was a lot of talk in Dallas this morning about possible suspensions for those evil Warriors, Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson, but the focus should be on the Mavericks' own guy. Jason Terry has also been cleared to play Game 6, and if you believe in precedent, that's an outright miracle. The NBA made two curious adjustments to its officiating policy this season. The first was to stifle even the hint of outrage from players, an absurd development roundly ridiculed by anyone who cherishes the league's rich history. No longer could players scream, make an animated gesture or leap into the air in frustration. Just sit there and take it quietly, little boy. We make the rules around here. You'll shut up and like it. At first, the players couldn't even believe it was happening. Can you imagine Rick Barry or Oscar Robertson playing under this set of rules? Neither one of 'em would make it past the first quarter. True, nobody likes a chronic complainer, but basketball is a game of raw intensity. For every stoic performer, along the lines of Bill Russell or Alex English, there are six guys who take great offense to a questionable call. You have to let these guys vent. You don't rap them on the wrist and send them to the principal's office. This venture into the prim and proper is exactly what cost Jackson and Davis -- twice, in Jackson's case -- in Dallas. By their own standards, neither one of them did a thing. Mockery? Clapping your hands a bit too long? What the hell is that? Coach Don Nelson got angry at both guys, and made it clear that he'd fine them, but deep down, Nelson realizes the absurdity of it all. He comes from a time when players could actually throw a punch -- you know, as long as it doesn't escalate into a full-scale brawl -- and stay in the game. The Terry case, meanwhile, is fascinating. If you recall last year's playoffs, one of its long-running subplots was a series of hard fouls that led to suspensions. Raja Bell, James Posey, Jerry Stackhouse, Ron Artest -- one player after another drew a league review for roughhouse behavior and got suspended for the next game. In fact, Terry himself was among the culprits. In Game 5 of the Mavericks' second-round series against San Antonio, Terry dove into a loose-ball scramble and actually punched Michael Finley -- in a delicate area. Terry was suspended for Game 6, a loss that sent the series back to San Antonio and nearly cost Dallas its berth in the Finals. Listen, I'm glad Terry will be on the court tomorrow night. Barring criminal behavior, I want to see everyone on the floor for both sides. It's just interesting to see how far the league has strayed from last year's policy, because Terry's act -- picking up Davis and flinging him to the floor in a dead-ball situation -- pressed the limits of comportment. How it works, then, is like this: Don't laugh, don't clap, don't mock. In fact, don't even speak, and while you're at it, tie your hands behind your back. Tougher to gesture that way. Meantime, go ahead and throw a pro-wrestling move on the other team's best player. Nothing but clear sailing ahead.
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#3. To: Tauzero, Red Jones, Paul Revere (#0)
goofiness ping
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