Adelman steamed over Sonics' physical play, flopping
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
April 30, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Kings coach Rick Adelman believes the Seattle SuperSonics are showing too much aggression and doing too much acting in the playoffs, and he wants the officials to start paying attention.
Adelman plans to send a videotape to the NBA offices illustrating his biggest complaints about the officiating in the first three games of Sacramento's first-round playoff series against Seattle.
Adelman is particularly steamed by the rough-and-tumble style of Danny Fortson and Jerome James, and Reggie Evans' flopping disturbs him as well. The Sacramento coach thinks the referees aren't paying attention to the darker side of an otherwise entertaining series.
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``I tell you, we've looked at all three games, and it's going to the league,'' Adelman said after the Kings' workout Saturday. ``It's too consistent. They've allowed too much to happen. It's ridiculous what they're allowing to happen. ... After three games, someone should look at that, and when the officials come in here (for Game 4), they should be aware of that.''
The officials called 37 fouls in the second half of Sacramento's 116-104 victory in Game 3 on Friday night, which cut Seattle's lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The game was particularly physical by the standards of two high-scoring teams that often struggle on defense.
The Sonics transformed themselves from a lottery team to the Northwest Division champions this season, and their new emphasis on physical play often was cited as a big reason. Though Adelman praised Fortson and Evans for ``doing their jobs,'' he believes their play often crosses the line.
``I mean, these guys come in there and they're shoving, and they're pushing,'' Adelman said. ``Jerome was pushing, and Fortson, that's all he does -- makes free throws and pushes, just mugs people. We've got to combat that, but I think it's got to be looked at a little bit more. I know the playoffs are physical, but I've been told they're no different than the regular season.''
Fortson has been an agitator in each of Seattle's seven games against Sacramento so far this season. The veteran forward got five technical fouls in the clubs' four regular-season meetings, and he has two T's in the three playoff games.
``That's all he's in there for, is to push and shove, especially on the boards,'' Adelman said. ``And Evans -- you talk about Vlade (Divac) being a flopper? This guy is taking it to a whole new level. He goes down when the air conditioning comes on.
``They're doing their jobs, but I think there's times when they go overboard, and I think the officials should be aware of that.''
Adelman cited one particularly egregious instance when Evans fell down after a tussle with Sacramento's Brian Skinner.
``It was like he dove into a pool,'' Adelman said. ``I looked at that, and I ran it back (on tape), and I said, 'What is he doing?' They didn't call it, thank goodness.''
Adelman made his comments several hours after the Sonics' practice. Sacramento hosts Seattle in Game 4 on Sunday night.
On the other hand, the Sonics believe Fortson has been hit with too many minor fouls.
``We felt like they were calling the fouls on (Fortson) with quick whistles,'' coach Nate McMillan said Friday night. ``I thought the technical he got (for a scuffle with Corliss Williamson) should have been called on both of them. It should have been a double foul, but every (call) seems to go against him.''
If the Spurs advance to play against Seattle, that could be a scary series for Manu. You know that there will be a price on his head and Fortson and James wouldn't hesitate to really level him. The Sonics are a dirty team in the middle with sweet shooters on the outside. Rashard Lewis is also an impossible guard for the Spurs.
Go Kings.
I hope the NBA gets a handle on what's going on before someone gets hurt. The officials are really having trouble controlling games. It's the Mark Cuban influence, where people hear the owner crying about the calls and it spreads to the fans, the coaches, the players, and other teams.
Someone needs to make an emoticon of a little head playing a violin and weeping. I'm so glad we don't have a team that es about calls.
Rick crys every year in the playoffs, remember them playing the lakers... cry me a river. maybe you should be more aggressive, and respond.. rather than launching threes all game long.
Spurs will likely be playing Seattle next round. This thread needs to be bumped then to see how some are feeling about Fortson, James, Evans and even Collison's play.
Pop needs to send Massenburg out early in the series to meet Fortson and James's gooning, cause a little confrotation, get the refs to clamp down on the extreme physical play early on.
I'm going for the Sonics. I want to play them in the second round just so we can beat them. I can't stand anyone on that team. your'e right, they have very dirty players and I hope we beat them if we play them.If the Spurs advance to play against Seattle, that could be a scary series for Manu. You know that there will be a price on his head and Fortson and James wouldn't hesitate to really level him. The Sonics are a dirty team in the middle with sweet shooters on the outside. Rashard Lewis is also an impossible guard for the Spurs.
Go Kings.
Adelman's always been whiney. He was more whiney when he was in Portland, but looks like he's reverting to type now that Sacto is an also ran in the Western Conference.
You mean something like this
one of my favorites smilie
Adleman whines a lot, but the guy has a legitimate excuse this time. Seattle has a lot of dirty players in the middle who foul and shove a lot, especially on the boards. You guys can make fun of Adleman now, but you all are gonna be ing about no-calls when we play the Sonics in the Semis.
I don't think y'all are watching those games. The only way the Seattle front line could be more thuggish is if they started bringing brass knuckles, switchblades, and 9 mms to the game.
Laugh now, but it's the same thuggery they used to kick our ass twice this year.
I totally agree with you. James even prophesied a battering of Manu before he elbowed him on the face.
I think tFortson and James make the Nuggets look likr choirboys.
Lets go see if Rip Hamilton is selling face masks. Well have to buy the metal one for Ginobili. Also some bullet proof and stab proof vests. Knee guards
and elbo stuff from A.I. , and those flack jackets from Shaq. More ideas!?
I think tony massenburg would not mind punishing someone
McMillan reacts to Adelman's complaints about officials
By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
May 1, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Seattle coach Nate McMillan thinks Rick Adelman should back off.
McMillan strongly disagrees with the Sacramento coach's contention that the SuperSonics are being too aggressive and pushing the limits of the rules during their first-round playoff series with the Kings.
``Playoff basketball you don't play in skirts,'' McMillan said Sunday before Game 4 at Arco Arena. ``We're playing within the rules of the game. We're not doing anything we haven't done all season long.''
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On Saturday, Adelman complained through the media that Seattle's Danny Fortson and Jerome James were playing too rough and that he was annoyed by Reggie Evans' flopping. Adelman promised to take his frustration to the top by sending video clips of the offending plays to the NBA.
``I tell you, we've looked at all three games, and it's going to the league,'' Adelman said following Saturday's workout. ``It's too consistent. They've allowed too much to happen. It's ridiculous what they're allowing to happen.''
The officials called 37 fouls in the second half of Sacramento's 116-104 victory in Game 3 on Friday night, which cut Seattle's lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The game was particularly physical by the standards of two high-scoring teams that often struggle on defense.
In past seasons, Adelman has e-mailed questionable plays to the league.
``We're calling -- not e-mailing -- the league, too,'' McMillan said. ``I understand what Rick is doing. He's trying to allow his players to gain an advantage. ... The officials have to be professional enough to come out and call the game the way it's supposed to be called, and not have a target on Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans.''
The 6-foot-8, 260-pound Fortson got tangled up with Sacramento's Corliss Williamson under the basket late in the third quarter of Game 3. Both players reacted to the collision, but only Fortson received a technical.
Sonics general manager Rick Sund said he has spoken frequently to Fortson this season about keeping his cool and playing hard without going overboard.
``In the playoffs, intensity gets up,'' Sund said, sitting courtside as his team warmed up. ``They play physical, too. It's part of the playoffs. My only concern with Danny is to stay focused and play physically but within the rules, which is what has made him successful. He's played focused and had a really good year for us.''
James, a journeyman center cut by Sacramento in 2000, has been the surprise of the series, averaging 19.3 points and 11 rebounds.
``He's definitely been the player we've counted on,'' guard Ray Allen said. ``His confidence is pretty much at an all-time high.''
I will laugh, cause the last two games of the regular season proved the Spurs have "Figured out" the Sonics.Laugh now, but it's the same thuggery they used to kick our ass twice this year
Not scared one bit of either the Kings or the Sonics.
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