The physicality between the Spurs and Knicks in Game 3 has been a prominent topic of discussion among fans and coaches alike following Monday’s hard-fought contest, a 115-111 San Antonio win.
A first quarter play involving Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson was a particular point of contention, as Brunson took exception after the Spurs star shoved him by the back of the head (Twitter video link via ESPN).
However, the NBA has reviewed the play and opted not to assess Wembanyama with a flagrant foul, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
Senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen spoke to ESPN on Tuesday and admitted that the play should have been called a foul, notes ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter), but also explained what the process of reviewing such an incident is and why it would take something definitive to overrule the in-game referees.
Wembanyama is two flagrant foul points away from a suspension, due to the flagrant two he picked up when he elbowed Timberwolves forward Naz Reid in the head in the second round. If he had been assessed a flagrant one for the play on Brunson, Wembanyama would’ve moved to within a single flagrant point of a one-game suspension. As it stands, he will face no further discipline.
Absolute joke
Both this and the one on Alvarado in game were easily flagrants 2s
Denying reality for tv ratings
Embarrassing
The NBA wants the revenue and entertainment, not the embarrassment
The NBA cares more about the revenue and entertainment. They will do anything to avoid an embarrassment by the Knicks for the Spurs.
No what’s a joke is people like you not know the rules. There’s no way that meets the standards of a flagrant. A foul yes but flagrant don’t be ridiculous. As to uncalled fouls, let’s start with Towns holding Wemby with both arms on ever single possession. That rule is simple:
According to official NBA rules, a defender cannot grab, push, charge, or impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, arm, or leg. Any contact that results in re-routing an offensive player or restricting their freedom of movement is a personal foul.
Read the rules for a flagrant
Wemby clearly meets it for both the Alvarado play and the one on Brunson
You’re the joke who doesn’t know the rules. The grab of his head and malicious push was intentional. Towns holding him is play.
The NBA doesn’t want to chance two more based on the way the series is going.
Oh boy – there are 3 standards – you guys try to read an learn – I know it’s hard – but if you post without doing so you prove your ignorance
Then og and Alvarado need to be suspended one game for leaving the bench when Josh Hart was flopping.
i thought flagrant 2’s were any unnecessary contact at the head?? it looks clear as day to me lmao
I get the sense Knicks fans are lining up all the excuses early just in case. Losers whine about refs. Wemby has gotten the crap beat f him all playoffs and has not said a word.
Oh yea and maybe the NBA should review Brunson’s daddy running onto the floor twice in this series during live action
link to youtu.be
Let them play. Hold your whistles ref.
Silver is basically saying Wemby gets at least one more free takedown. Why would he not use it? He clearly enjoys doing it.
The priniciple of not overruling game officials is about not altering game results or questioning their legitimacy after the fact. It has nothing to do with admitting error and/or assessing penalties for technicals, flagrants and the like based on a second look. Done all the time, every sport I can think of, often based on replay. Stern suspended half the NYK roster against MIA in 1997 based on replay.
Interesting that Monty obviously feels its OK for him to question the wisdom of game officials by indicating a foul should have been called.
Time for Robinson to body slam Wemby on an inbound and play it off as my bad. Better yet, where’s Bobby Bacala and Mulsanti? Aren’t they courtside?
Wemby and the refs better watch it for his own sake. If this becomes a thing, which its looking like it might be, players will take it into their own hands. Those knees look vulnerable :)