The definiton is clear the implementation is not. I'm not going to argue I'm really happy with this so screw the rules. Please Dwight be careful. One tech or one flagrant one and we will be back at the same.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rockets C Dwight Howard will not be suspended for Game 5 vs. Warriors, NBA said. Flagrant one not updgraded to flagrant two.</p>— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffZillgitt/status/603338821929926656" data-datetime="2015-05-26T23:15:59+00:00">May 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I was totally expecting them to suspend Dwight...but this is like their "warning" shot...Dwight's earned the benefit of doubt, but he just cant make more stupid decisions out there. The NBA will most likely now ref him much more carefully inside the paint, and he may be prone to picking up more fouls...
The definition could not be more vague. There is a 6 factor guideline that doesn't privilege one factor over another. It's intentionally vague, from the words "flagrant" and "excessive" to the factors.
I don't worry so much about this as that in the event the game goes down the wire Green and Bogut will start the mindgames and dirty elbows to get him a tech or another flagrant. Know who you play against Dwight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dwight Howard cleared to play Game 5. NBA president Rod Thorn said it was a 'very close' call. Ruled Howard trying to extricate himself.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/603342169542275073">May 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Baffled <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Howard?src=hash">#Howard</a> contact was not upgraded to FFP2. Hard contact to face, reckless, released arm and flailed for free head shot and history.</p>— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) <a href="https://twitter.com/StuJackson32/status/603342021592514562">May 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
not going to argue right now. Maybe some other time. Know that Dwight dodged a huge bullet here. Because in whatever way you want to spin it a hand in the chin is excessive. Good night.
That is good news but Dwight is going to have to be very careful from here on out. Any flagrant or technical will result in a suspension. You know the Warriors know this and will be in complete troll/bait mode the rest of the series whether its just one game or goes seven. I can easily see a situation where Green or Bogut gets into a double tech type situation with Dwight late in game 5 if the Rockets are leading to prevent him from playing a possible game 6. Hopefully the league recognizes the potential for this and will rescind any technicals they feel were unfairly assessed on a player. They havent yet though for Dwight which is a shame because the first flagrant against Dirk and the last technical he received in game 3 were absurd
