It's Nothing Personal

OK, the season really is winding down now -- one more game for me with these great guys I've played with for four years now, and at least two more for LeBron and the Caveliers...maybe more (although I doubt it). Still, they are at home now. And the 2-3-2 format really helps them out.

As for my own run, there were only eleven of us last night, and after a week away I pretty much played like crap. A few good defensive plays; for some reason I seemed to be able to get my hands in the passing lanes quite easily, and ended up with quite a few steals that way. But I only made one jump shot -- a beautiful in-rhythm transition "J" from the left elbow while trailing on the break which inspired all sorts of ooohs and ahhhhs...and then a few easy lay-ups, including one standing flat on both feet wide open right under the basket. But mostly I was shooting flat-footed, and couldn't finish at the hole, and generally waddled around most of the evening. Not exactly the sort of performance I want to remember.

Wednesday we will probably be lucky to get as many as eight, since it's also the night of the Town Meeting in Concord. My best friend in this group pulled a calf muscle last night, so he probably won't be back; probably the only guy I can really count on seeing is my adversary "Curly," whose mouth has gotten even more outrageous as the season draws to a close. Curly's the kind of guy who makes up in attitude what he lacks in skill, which in some ways is quite admirable...although I personally prefer to let my game do my talking for me. Just Old School that way I guess. But in fairness, two things I admire about him. 1) he's almost always the first guy to the gym, and the last to leave. 2) he's not afraid to take the big shot. In fact, he thrives on it.

Of course, he's all elbows when trying to make space, makes up for his lack of defensive mobility by reaching and grabbing HARD, but of course if you even breath on him when he's trying to shoot it's going to be "my ball." And I know I shouldn't taunt him...and generally I don't...much.... But what I really want to do on our last night together is give him a copy of the following, which I've compiled from the appropriate web-sites. Not that I think he'll actually read and learn. But just to tweek him, since I'm not going to be around any more to do it in person....


BASIC PRINCIPLES GOVERNING PERSONAL FOULS

CONTACT SITUATIONS

(1) Incidental Contact

a. The mere fact that contact occurs does not necessarily constitute a foul. Contact which is incidental to an effort by a player to play an opponent, reach a loose ball, or perform normal defensive or offensive movements, should not be considered illegal. If, however, a player attempts to play an opponent from a position where he has no reasonable chance to perform without making contact with his opponent, the responsibility is on the player in this position.

b. The hand is considered "part of the ball" when it is in contact with the ball. Therefore, contact on that hand by a defender while it is in contact with the ball is not illegal.

(2) Guarding an Opponent

In all guarding situations, a player is entitled to any spot on the court he desires, provided he gets to that spot first without contact with an opponent. In all guarding situations during a live ball, a player is entitled to any spot on the court he desires, provided that he gets to the spot first without contact with an opponent. In all guarding situations during a dead ball, the defensive player(s) must be allowed to take a position between his man and the basket.

a. In most guarding situations, the guard must be facing his opponent at the moment he assumes a guarding position after which no particular facing is required.

b. A player may continue to move after gaining a guarding position in the path of an opponent provided he is not moving directly or obliquely toward his opponent when contact occurs. A player is never permitted to move into the path of an opponent after the opponent has jumped into the air.

c. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent and thereby causes contact is not considered to have a legal position in the path of an opponent.

d. A player is entitled to an erect (vertical) position even to the extent of holding his arms above his shoulders, as in post play or when double-teaming in pressing tactics.

e. A player is not required to maintain any specific distance from an opponent.

f. Any player who conforms to the above is absolved from responsibility for any contact by an opponent which may dislodge or tend to dislodge such player from the position which he has attained and is maintaining legally. If contact occurs, the official must decide whether the contact is incidental or a foul has been committed.

The following are the usual situations to which the foregoing principles apply:

a. Guarding a player with the ball

b. Guarding a player who is trying for a goal

c. Switching to a player with the ball

d. Guarding a dribbler

e. Guarding a player without the ball

f. Guarding a post player with or without the ball

g. Guarding a rebounder

(3) Screening When a player screens in front of or at the side of a stationary opponent, he may be as close as he desires providing he does not make contact. His opponent can see him and, therefore, is expected to detour around the screen. If he screens behind a stationary opponent, the opponent must be able to take a normal step backward without contact. Because the opponent is not expected to see a screener behind him, the player screened is given latitude of movement. To screen a moving opponent, the player must stop soon enough to permit his opponent to stop or change direction. The distance between the player screening and his opponent will depend upon the speed at which the players are moving. If two opponents are moving in the same direction and path, the player who is behind is responsible for contact. The player in front may stop or slow his pace, but he may not move backward or sideward into his opponent. The player in front may or may not have the ball. This situation assumes the two players have been moving in identically the same direction and path before contact.

(4) The Dribble If the dribbler's path is blocked, he is expected to pass or shoot; that is, he should not try to dribble by an opponent unless there is a reasonable chance of getting by without contact.

FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT

A player is attempting a field goal when he has the ball and is (in the judgment of the official) in the act of shooting or trying to attempt to shoot. It is not essential that the ball leave the shooter's hand. His arm(s) might be held so that he cannot actually make an attempt. He is thus deprived of an opportunity to score and is entitled to two free throw attempts. If a player is fouled when tapping a tossed ball or a rebound toward or into the basket, he is not considered to be "trying for goal." If a live ball is in flight when time expires, the goal, if made, shall count.

CHARGING/BLOCKING

A defensive player shall not be permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or shoot. If contact occurs on this play, and it is anything but negligible and/or incidental, a blocking foul shall be called on the defensive player. Any field goal attempt, if successful, shall count, as long as the ball has not been returned to the floor following the official's whistle. If a defensive player acquires a position directly under the basket/backboard on anything but a "baseline drive," he shall be responsible if contact occurs. An offensive foul should never be called under these conditions. The offensive player remains a shooter until he has regained a normal playing position on the floor. Many times this type of play is allowed to continue if the goal is successful. The opposite is also true. If an offensive player causes contact with a defensive player who has established a legal position prior to the offensive player having picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or shoot, and it is anything but negligible and/or incidental, an offensive foul shall be called, and no points may be scored. A defensive player may turn slightly to protect himself, but is never allowed to bend over and submarine an opponent. On a "drive-in" shot, if the defensive player has established a legal position in front of the basket/ backboard, the offensive player shall be responsible for any illegal contact which occurs prior to his having regained his balance on the floor. An offensive foul shall be called and no points are to be awarded if the field goal is successful. The mere fact that contact occurs on these types of plays, or any other similar play, does not necessarily mean that a personal foul has been committed. The officials must decide whether the contact is negligible and/or incidental, judging each situation separately. in judging this play, the officials must be aware that if EITHER player has been placed at a disadvantage by the contact which has occurred, then a personal foul MUST be called on the player responsible for that contact.


Personal Fouls --NCAA

Section 20. By Players

Art. 1. A player shall not hold, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending arm(s), shoulder(s), hip(s) or knee(s) or by bending his or her own body into other than a normal position; nor use any unreasonably rough tactics.

Art. 2. A player shall not contact an opponent with his or her hand unless
such contact is only with the opponent’s hand while it is on the ball and is
incidental to an attempt to play the ball.

Art. 3. A player shall not use his or her hand(s) on an opponent to inhibit
the freedom of movement of the opponent in any way or to aid an opponent in starting or stopping.

Art. 4. A player shall not extend the arm(s) fully or partially other than vertically so that freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with the arm(s) occurs.

Art. 5. A player shall not use the forearm and hand to prevent an opponent from attacking the ball during a dribble or when trying for goal.

Art. 6. A player may hold his or her hand(s) and arm(s) in front of his or her own face or body for protection and to absorb force from an imminent charge by an opponent.

Art. 7. Contact caused by a defensive player approaching the player with
the ball from behind is pushing; contact caused by the momentum of a
player who has tried for goal is charging.

Section 21. By Dribbler

Art. 1. A dribbler shall neither charge into nor contact an opponent in the
dribbler’s path nor attempt to dribble between two opponents or between
an opponent and a boundary, unless the space is sufficient to provide a reasonable chance for the dribbler to pass through without contact.

Art. 2. When a dribbler, without contact, passes an opponent sufficiently to have head and shoulders beyond the front of the opponent’s torso, the
greater responsibility for subsequent contact shall be that of the opponent.

Art. 3. When a dribbler has obtained a straight-line path, the dribbler may
not be crowded out of that path; when an opponent is able to legally obtain a defensive position in that path, the dribbler shall avoid contact by changing direction or ending the dribble.

A.R. 21. A player who is guarding moves into the path of a dribbler and contact occurs.

RULING: Either player may be responsible, but the greater responsibility shall be that of the dribbler when the player who is guarding conforms to the following principles that officials shall use in reaching a decision. The defensive player shall be assumed to have attained a guarding position when the defensive player is in the dribbler’s path facing him or her. When the defensive player jumps into position, both feet must return to the floor after the jump before he or she can have a guarding position. No specific stance or distance shall be required. The guard may shift to maintain his or her position in the path of the dribbler, provided that the player who is guarding does not charge into the dribbler nor otherwise cause contact as outlined in this section. The responsibility of the dribbler for contact shall not shift merely because the player who is guarding turns or ducks to absorb shock when contact caused by the dribbler is imminent. The player who is guarding shall not cause contact by moving under or in front of a passer or thrower after the passer or thrower is in the air with his or her feet off the floor.

Art. 4. The player intending to become the dribbler shall not be permitted
additional rights to start a dribble or in executing a jump try for goal, pivot
or feint.

Section 22. By Screener

Art. 1. A player shall not cause contact by setting a screen outside the
visual field of a stationary opponent that does not allow this opponent a
normal step to move.

Art. 2. A screener shall not make contact with the opponent when setting
a screen within the visual field of that opponent.

Art. 3. A screener shall not take a position so close to a moving opponent
that this opponent cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction.

A.R. 22.B1 maneuvers to a position in front of offensive post player A1 to prevent A1 from receiving the ball. A high pass is made out of the reach of B1. The offensive post player A1 moves toward the basket to catch the pass and try for goal. As the pass is made, B2 moves into the path of A1, in a guarding position.

RULING: This action involves a screening principle. B2 has switched to guard a player who does not have the ball; therefore, the switching player shall assume a position one or two strides in advance of offensive post player A1 (depending upon the speed of movement of A1) to make the action legal. When A1 has control of the ball (provided that the offensive post player A1 is not in the air at the time), the play shall become a guarding situation. When it is a guarding situation involving the player with the ball, time and distance shall be irrelevant.

Art. 4. No player, while moving, shall set a screen that causes contact or
delays an opponent from reaching a desired position.

Art. 5. When both opponents are moving in exactly the same path and
direction and the screener slows down or stops and contact results, the
trailing player shall be responsible for such contact.

Art. 6. No player shall use arm(s), hand(s), hip(s) or shoulder(s) to force
through a screen or to hold or push the screener.

Art. 7. Screeners shall not line up next to each other within 6 feet of a
boundary line and parallel to it so that contact occurs. a. Screeners shall be permitted to line up parallel to a boundary line and next to each other without locking arms or grasping each other, provided that the screen is set at least 6 feet from that boundary line.


Personal Fouls - NBA

Section I-Types

a. A player shall not hold, push, charge into or impede the progress of an opponent by extending an arm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal.

b. Contact caused by a defensive player approaching the ball holder from the rear is a form of pushing or holding.

c. Two free throw attempts are awarded for an elbow foul. It is also an unsportsmanlike act. If the elbow contact is above shoulder level, the player will be ejected. If the elbow contact is shoulder level or below, the player may be ejected at the discretion of the official. Contact must occur for an elbow foul to be called.

d. A defensive player is not permitted to retain hand contact with an offensive player when the player is in his "sights." Hand checking will be eliminated by rigid enforcement of this rule by all officials. The illegal use of hands will not be permitted.

e. Any player whose actions against an opponent cause illegal contact with yet another offensive player is guilty of a personal foul and will be penalized accordingly.

f. Contact which occurs on the shooting hand of the offensive player, while that hand is in contact with the ball, is not illegal.

Section II-By Dribbler

a. A dribbler shall not (1) charge into an opponent who has established a legal guarding position or (2) attempt to dribble between two opponents, or between an opponent and a boundary, where sufficient space is not available for contact to be avoided.

b. If a dribbler has sufficient space between two opponents, or between an opponent and a boundary, to have his head and shoulders in advance of them, the responsibility for illegal contact is on the opponent.

c. If a dribbler in his progress has established a straight line path, he may not be crowded out of that path.

d. If an opponent is able to establish a legal defensive position in that path, the dribbler must avoid contact by changing his direction or ending his dribble.

e. The dribbler must be in control of his body at all times.

f. A dribbler may not legally dribble again after a personal foul has been called.

Section III-By Screening

A player who sets a screen shall not (1) take a position closer than a normal step from an opponent, if that opponent is stationary and unaware of the screener's position, (2) make illegal contact with an opponent when he assumes a position at the side or front of an opponent, (3) take a position so close to a moving opponent that illegal contact cannot be avoided by that opponent without changing direction or stopping, or (4) move laterally or toward an opponent being screened after having assumed a legal screening position. The screener may move in the same direction and path of the opponent being screened. In (3) above, the speed of the opponent being screened will determine what the screener's stationary position may be. This position will vary and may be one to two normal steps or strides from his opponent.

Bill James' All-Time All-Star Line-Up....

OK, I know this is supposed to be a basketball blog...but I was watching a program about the Bill James baseball abstract the other day, and it got me thinking. Here is his line-up of the nine best baseball players of all time (although the batting order is mine):

CF - Willie Mays
2B - Joe Morgan
RF - Babe Ruth
LF - Ted Williams
1B - Lou Gehrig
3B - Mike Schmidt
SS - Honus Wagner
C - Yogi Berra
P - Roger Clemens

Hard to find much to argue with about that starting nine. But then I started thinking, who would I want on the bench? Here are my personal picks:

Outfielders: Ty Cobb, Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds.

OK, I admit...there are lots of others to choose from who didn't juice, even if I arbitrarily eliminate anyone who has ever played for the Yankees. But these are the guys I would want backing up Ruth, Williams, and Mays. In fact, with bats like these available, I might even be tempted to platoon.

Infielders: Alex Rodriguez, Ozzie Smith.

A-Rod gets a pass on his current team affiliation because he started his career with the Mariners. And I confess, "the Wizard of Oz" is no doubt a very idiosyncratic choice. But I'm captivated by his speed on the basepaths and what he can do with a glove. And frankly, I just love to watch him play.

Catchers: Johnny Bench, Josh Gibson.

Even Bill James will tell you that Josh Gibson was probably the best catcher ever to play the game. But since the Negro League statistics were so haphazard, James doesn't have the data to compare him to his Major League contemporaries. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that restriction....

In the Bullpen: And this is the trickiest part of all. So many good pitchers to pick from. But here are my tentative choices (recognizing that I'm a little heavy on RHPs).

Walter Johnson
Sandy Koufax
Bob Gibson
Nolan Ryan
Robert Leroy "Sachel" Paige
Randy Johnson
Juan Marichal
Greg Maddox

And now for The Closer. And this is truly a tough call. I mean, with pitchers like these others available, do I really even NEED a Closer? Maybe one of these other guys could be pressed into the role. Can you imagine how overwhelming someone like Koufax or Gibson (not to mention my matched set of Johnsons) might have been if they only had to pitch one inning a night?

Likewise, there are so many other great pitchers out there. Oldtimers like Cy Young or Bob Feller, Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, Dizzy Dean, and Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown. Household names like Tom Seaver or Jim Palmer. Or even someone like Pedro Martinez, or perhaps another of my sentimental favorites, say junkball pitcher Gaylord Perry or Bill "Spaceman" Lee....

But to be fair, if I had to chose a real Closer, it would have to be Mariano "The Sandman" Rivera. And I hate to do it, because lets face it, he plays in pinstripes. But hands down he is unquestionably the best there's ever been in the bottom of the ninth. Which simply makes it all the more painful....

Hoopin' It Up Outside the Oval Office?

And I'm not really sure how long this link will stay live, but if you find it in time click and enjoy. "NY Times June 1st 2007" Don't forget the video!