Hoops

Goorijan should be ejected

Goorjian knows exactly what he can get away with even outside the rules because the refs allow him to get away with it. Sure the refs have to watch the players and may have missed watching the coach but this will happen on occasions. Goorjian does it as a matter of habit and for so long that its hardly necessary to watch him step over the line every time to know that he does. It has all got to do with who is allowed to do what and who isn't. As I said before, encroaching the line by the coach is hardly a serious matter but inconsistency by the refs causes confusion and leads to unbalanced calls. Also in view of the closeness of atleast 3 of the 36ers games, who is to say that correct calling of the game throughout would not have made a difference. Just put aside all shortfalls on the players' performance and focus on the effect of the refs. The players playing badly deserve to lose if nothing else influences the result, the incorrect calls made by refs is unfair regardless of which side. Every team deserves to win or lose on their own merit.

Id be more worried about the players touching the refs as this is setting a bad example to the kids watching the game and i have seen it a number of times this season from opposition players and games on fox.. Who cares if the coach has his toe over the line as long as he isnt endangering the players or the ref. Have you ever watched the euro leagues some of those coaches are the 6th player playing defence they are thay far out on the court.

Goorg essentially is the 6th player on the court as he is a bloody good coach, he pumps his team up and he gets into the umpires heads and has done for years so he knows hat he can get away with and when hes pushing the limits. Scotty needs to get to know and earn the umpires respect over the next few years and then he may too be able to put his toe over the line.
Same as district and social ball if the umpires like you you generally get your fair share of calls and if they really dont like you then change stadiums.

The significance of letting coaches get away with entering the court may not be great in itself but it all leads to the umpire's understanding of the rules. A rule is a rule and must be adhered to. If refs are turning a blind eye to this, then its likely they let other violations slip which are quite significant. This story could not have been told more clearly than in last Saturday's game.