NBL Stands by Dunk Ruling

Posted: Sat Sep 11, 1998 at 11:23 AM ET

The National Basketball League has supported the controversial technical foul issued by referee Graham Clarke on Sydney forward Matt Nielsen for hanging on the ring in the Kings' 103-97 loss to expansion team West Sydney. In a decision which influenced the result of the game on Saturday night at the Kingdome, Clarke gave Nielsen a technical foul after he slam dunked at a crucial stage in the fourth quarter. Compounding the situation, Nielsen was given another tech foul for gesticulating to the Razorbacks' bench as he left the court with his sixth personal foul. West Sydney guard John Rillie, who equal top-scored with 23 points, shot four free-throws and a three-pointer off the Razorbacks' possession from the side of the court. The seven-point turnaround put West Sydney in front for the first time and swung the momentum their way. Several commentators have argued the decision was harsh because slam dunking was one of the most entertaining facets of the game. But NBL referees commissioner Gary Fox said yesterday that Clarke's decision was justified. "The rule is clear," Fox said. "If a player hangs on the ring, except to save himself from injury, it's a tech foul. "No other league in the world allows it, including the (United States National Basketball Asociation). In the NBA it's a tech foul and a fine. "The players are given a lot of leeway . . . It was way beyond what is allowed." The Kings believe a caution would have been a more appropriate penalty, particularly in the context of a close game. But Sydney coach Bill Tomlinson conceded that Nielsen, was the Kings' best performer against West Sydney, had to learn to control his emotions. "Matt Nielsen plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm," Tomlinson said. "It was a lesson for him. He was disappointed with himself. "We talked about it after the game. It doesn't mean I don't still love him. I can't put a cattle prod on him and give him electric shocks. It's a maturing process." While the Razorbacks celebrated their first league win as if they had won the title, the result was disastrous for the Kings. Playing in front of their best season-opening crowd (8000) for several seasons, the Kings needed to beat the new boys to restore credibility. But it was a sense of deja vu for long-suffering fans, who watched the team capitulate after leading by 19 points at one stage in the first quarter. To lose with West Sydney point guard Derek Rucker on the bench (calf injury) was further embarrassment.

The NBL deliberately scheduled "local derbies" around the country to tip-off the season. Victoria Titans, dubbed the NBL "Dream Team", had a nightmare debut, losing to Melbourne Tigers 99-80 at Melbourne Park on Saturday. Melbourne captain Andrew Gaze scored a round-high 41 points, more than half the Titans' total. The NBL was encouraged by the 11,187-strong crowd, a record attendance for a season-opening game. Townsville showed determination to make the NBL playoffs for the first time with a 91-84 win against Brisbane at the Swamp on Saturday night. The Bullets were backing up after beating cash-strapped Canberra 110-78 in Brisbane on Friday night. Forward Scott Fisher led Perth to an upset 106-96 win against defending champions Adelaide in Perth. .

*This article taken directly from the Australian.