Part 2/8:
The questions run deeper than just numbers; they point toward the structure and the essence of the league.
The Softening of the Game
In recent seasons, the NBA has seemingly adopted an overly stringent approach to officiating, resulting in an abundance of technical fouls for actions that once would have been viewed as part of the game’s emotional fabric. It’s not unusual for a player to receive a technical foul for mere frustration or even non-verbal cues. This crackdown on expression stifles the thrill and drama that fans crave. For example, how can players like Giannis or Jason Tatum generate excitement when they face ejections for innocuous moments?