There has been some dialogue and debate regarding what benefits, monetary or otherwise, could be awarded to teams to motivate players and coaches to care about the in-season NBA cup. Some have argued that a playoff spot should be guaranteed. The league has gone so far as to incentivize coaches with monetary rewards for making deep runs into the tournament.
But what if an additional intangible benefit could be provided? One that could boost a team’s morale for the remainder of the season? What if players on the winning team could be exempted from receiving technical fouls for NON-PHYSICAL (so nothing like what Draymond did recently) acts of unsportsman-like conduct for the remainder of the season?
This means, players of the winning team can now: verbally taunt, stare/glare at another players face, pull-up on the rim, clap aggressively, show-boat etc. with absolutely no fear of ever receiving the all-mighty tech from the whistle-happy refs. A bad-boy get out of jail free card for the remainder of the regular season. Certain players thrive when their competitive spirit is allowed to shine, and this could potentially enhance player morale for the winning team for the remainder of the season. Not to mention, it would also make that team must-watch-TV for the remainder of the season as well, which would boost ratings.
Hypothetically, imagine Booker’s trash talking if the Suns win, Giannis and Bobby Portis’s glaring if the Bucks win, Jaylen Brown being able to roar in a players face without having to turn away like a glitched out video game character, Tatum finally being able to clap, dunkers like Aaron Gordon being allowed to go completely ham on the rim. The possibilities are endless, and would be highlight-worthy and hilarious.
While it goes without saying that the league has gotten extremely soft and is very liberal with the techs being handed out, and that the severity with which they are policing player behavior needs to be relaxed, having this opportunity could open endless possibilities for entertainment. What do y’all think?
If this happens, players will spam Jimmy Butler humping celebration and Embiid’s XPac celebration
What if the winners of the tournament got half a million dollars each?
nephew hours
So much text and still 0 sense
Luka would break wilt’s 100 record to get this
I think the better idea is to get rid of all the stupid techs in the first place.
I also think that there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and this rule only allowing techs for physical stuff might be too permissive. Like, I don’t care about a stare down or even the casual “you can’t guard me, bitch.” But what about racist and homophobic slurs? We don’t need that kinda stuff in the League.