RICK TEVERBAUGH: NBA needs to do better job protecting its players

Fri, May 16 2008

— Right now the NBA is sitting in a very good place.
Many of its top stars are young and most of them are staying out of trouble as the league makes at least a token effort to discard some of its “thug” image.
The first two games in most series in the playoffs have been entertaining and in some instances riveting.
But more and more there is so much on the line for the teams and individuals in terms of pride, legacy, salaries and endorsements, especially in the playoffs, that there is an ugly aspect coming to the front.
There have been several instances in less than a week of playoff action where blatant attempts have been made to get physical without regard for whether those actions would actually result in serious injury.
Washington has openly admitted that roughing up Cleveland’s LeBron James is part of their feeble plan to win that series. A couple of the fouls didn’t involve an attempt to make it look like a play for the ball was being made.
I believe any foul where a player isn’t going for the ball and in the judgment of the officials a real chance for an injury existed, that player should be ejected for the current game and at least one additional game.
If a “clean” defensive play can’t be made, then the offensive player should be allowed to make his play without contact.
Most fans in NBA cities root for teams more than individual players. But the NBA can’t exist if the only fans are those in NBA cities. The league needs fans all over the country and possibly all over the world. Those fans are much more likely to adopt favorite players for which to cheer.
It is up to the NBA to keep those stars healthy much the same way that the NFL has cracked down on cheap shots on quarterbacks.
The best way for the NBA to grow audiences is to keep its superstars as healthy as possible. Now if they could only figure out a way to balance the power between the Eastern Conference and the West, things might really be rosy.

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I am really looking forward to May 1. Somewhere around that time Anderson’s Comcast cable customers will have an opportunity to add both NBA TV and The NHL Channel to their lineup.
One downside will be the loss of ESPNU, a good source for some excellent college sports. But the newly revamped CBS College Sports Channel will make that loss easier to take.

Rick Teverbaugh’s column appears Thursday. He can be reached at rick.teverbaugh@heraldbulletin.com.