Sports 4 Dorks

I can’t stand the block/charge call. I think the NBA calls too many charges,
I think the NBA calls too many blocks, and I think that the game has suffered
immensely because an entire generation of "defenders" has been disabused of the
notion of moving their feet and/or trying to block shots. Why? Because they
keep getting bailed out by refs after planting their feet and taking the
"charge," while teammates, coaches, and announcing teams alike praise a players
"hustle."

That’s not "hustle." That’s bad basketball. Move your damn feet.

Last night’s defining play in the Cavs/Spurs tilt came with just under a
minute left, LeBron James drove to his left and dug his head into Spurs
forward/center Fabricio Oberto. Oberto took a dive, the ref (thankfully, to me
at least) swallowed his whistle, and James hit the game’s deciding bucket. The
play can be seen 48 seconds into this clip:

Prattle on all you want about how I’m schilling for the stars, my record
holds up to that scrutiny, but that was a bogus play by Oberto, and I’m glad
they didn’t call a charge. Doesn’t matter if it was in the first or fourth
quarter, doesn’t matter if it was Sasha Pavlovic driving, you just don’t call
it. Fabricio isn’t even defending the rim! He’s facing sideways! I’m yelling
things!

That’s not "defense." That’s trying to take advantage of the way the current
game is called, and it makes for lousy basketball to see guys flying all over
the floor under the auspices of "trying to draw charges."

So, my take is pretty clear. What’s yours? Was it a charge? Do you like
seeing guys hit the deck like that, even if their side is facing the hoop? Let
us know in the comments section.