Well, it wasn’t really hard to see this coming. Rasheed Wallace, in his first game under the NBA’s new ‘zero tolerance’ policy for talking back to officials, was ejected after picking up two technicals.
The first one, he didn’t actually say a word to the officials. He was whistled for a foul, turned into the other direction, and screamed. That’s it… and it was called a technical, and the call was perfectly justified. The rule makes it very clear that that’s a technical.
On the second one, he was complaining to officials about a no-call on Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva had the ball on the block, and swung and elbow that very nearly hit Rasheed in the crotchal region. Rasheed said something to the official who didn’t call it, and then started talking to Villanueva. I couldn’t understand it completely, but it went something like, “You better watch those elbows, (something). You throw another elbow at me, and I’mma (couldn’t understand), I’m lettin’ y’all know. Try me. You know me.”
Shortly after that came the whistle. And then, on his way out, I’m pretty sure he called a ref a “deaf bitch.” I’m not sure why.
So yeah, that didn’t take long. Rasheed’s on pace for 164 technicals in the regular season, and I’m not predicting he’ll get there… but 164 doesn’t sound as crazy as it should sound.
On a side note… the Pistons played terrible perimeter defense, the Bucks got any shot they wanted all night long, and Flip Saunders is still a terrible, terrible coach with an awesome turtle.
SimonOnSports Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:04 am
The only way that Rasheed does not set an all time record for Technicals this season is if he wears and S&M ball gag throughout every game or comes down with some sort of vocal cord damage.
Toku Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Personally, I think Rasheed could get more than 164 in a season if they didn’t eject him at 2. The rules are clearly stifling his potential.
-T
Critic Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Will he make it through half the games -41? Because watching him in person gives you an idea of his mercurial personality. And his reputation doesn’t help.
twoeightnine Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:27 pm
couldn’t he technically get more than 164? say he gets ejected on the second and refuses to leave the court and says more shit, can’t he get t’ed up again? or it two and done, no matter what happens?
jack Says:
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:41 am
he cant get 164 since you get suspended after you accumulate a certain number of technicals
Babs Says:
November 3rd, 2006 at 3:06 am
Ah, the turtle…which reminds me that you are overdue for another Letters From Pets post.
I understand the delay, as you will be hard pressed to achieve greater brilliance than Joey Porter’s pitbull. Great writing, great culmination. I look forward to your next contribution.