Sam Cassell was called for a flagrant foul on Lebron James halfway through the second quarter of the Celtics' Game 1 win over the Cavs. At the time, when they showed the replay, it looked to me to be a flagrant because once LeBron got past Sam, Cassell grabbed James' shoulder to stop him from getting a shot up. Cassell thinks it was a pretty weak call, and that the NBA is protecting its superstars like never before.
Cassell, who broke into the league during the rough-and-tumble mid-1990s, said the NBA is protecting Cavaliers star LeBron James in a way it never did with Michael Jordan.
"Wow. It's just different right now. They gave me a flagrant-1 foul, and no way in the world was it a flagrant-1 foul. I'm going to call [NBA vice president] Stu [ Jackson] and see what he thinks about that. That's not a flagrant-1 foul at all. Back in the day, a flagrant-1 was bloodshed. Now, you can just grab somebody . . . It's the new NBA."
At first glance, Cassell's seems to be right, in that all he did was grab LeBron. But on the bloodshed part, he may have gotten it wrong. Because according to James, the play resulted in him receiving a cut to his upper lip.
''Want me to show you?'' he said to a Cavs PR representative who had asked (at my request) where he was hit on Boston Celtics guard Sam Cassell's flagrant foul Tuesday night.
James then revealed the cut that he received inside his mouth as he drove to the basket.
So is the NBA trying to cut down on the physical play more now than they did in the past? Absolutely. And with that in mind, should this have been called a flagrant foul? Yes, because Sam wasn't making a play on the ball, he was simply trying to ensure that James didn't get a shot off. Cassell's correct that the NBA is trying to protect it's stars more than they used to. And since he's aware of that, he shouldn't be surprised when grabbing a player from behind results in a flagrant foul call.
Celtics vs. Cavaliers
Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers Ben Wallace (C) and LeBron James (R) during the second half in Game 1 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final basketball playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts, May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to get around Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a foul call against him as he exchanges words with referee Michael Smith #38 during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during a stop in play in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: Head coach Mike Brown of the Cleveland Cavaliers directs his players in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: Sasha Pavlovic #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for two as James Posey #41 of the Boston Celtics defends during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics celebrates in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to pass around James Posey #41 of the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics nabs the rebound from Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - MAY 06: Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to shoot around Leon Powe #0 of the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Rubbish! coming from Cassell a guy that is an old timer in the game;
Boston plays rough to begin with;
The push and shove is in their system;
The style that is already implemented;
Cassell wants to save face for what is coming and create excuses already;
Boston is planning to obliterate LeBron which ever means possible, NOT;
I will make sure of that with the league either Stern or Stu, firm.
Posted at 1:29PM on May 8th 2008 by frank
2. They called it not because he grabbed Lebron's shoulder, but because he smacked him straight in the face. Watch the video. He smacked him pretty hard. That's a flagrant in any book.
Posted at 1:32PM on May 8th 2008 by Ryan
3. Gollum is just a whiner and was pissed that someone else had the ball and was going to put it through the net and potentially keep him from getting his hands on the 'precious' ring one last time
Posted at 1:40PM on May 8th 2008 by Michael gifford
4. Sam tried for the ball but since he is 60 or 61 years old all he got was a handfull of jersey (i think they call that a horsecollar - personal foul) in football and a fist full of face. I think a flagrant one was the right call especially early in the game to set a tone.
The sure was ugly, but I think the officiating was decent. There are always questionable calls. Depending on which team you are for, those calls can go either way.
I do believe the officials need to call at least one foul on Garnett for his high picks. Many times it looks like he is initiating contact with his arms and elbows, but I am a CAVS fan so I might be a little biased. They would only have to call it once, eary in the game and he would stop.
Hope the games get less sloppy and it turns into an entertaining series. Lebron, Pierce, & Allen cannot play that bad again, can they.
Posted at 1:50PM on May 8th 2008 by cpa
5. The NBA is so twisted from the original game of basketball...
When was the last time that the called traveling in an NBA game?
Posted at 1:57PM on May 8th 2008 by ih8danba
6. Of course they're protecting their stars. The sick part about it is that they're not only trying to prevent them from being hurt and miss time, but they've also protected Lebron when he's committed a flagrant foul in the game, and not assessed it as a flagrant until after the game is over. Check out the retroactive flagrant Lebron got for the hit on Andray Blatche last series or the Eastern Conference Finals last year when he knocked out Chris Webber.
It's on youtube under "Lebron James unnatural act"
Posted at 2:04PM on May 8th 2008 by Feruw
7. See you tube "Cassell pulls a Horford...on purpose!" Maybe the flagrant was due to prior acts.
Posted at 2:17PM on May 8th 2008 by cpa
8. Lebron James is a cry baby!!!! BEOTCH!!I hope the Cee's take in 4,Then what will all you Celtic haters say.You all can S M B D !!!!
Posted at 4:57PM on May 8th 2008 by hutch
9. The whole NBA thing is a joke. Less playing time and more foul shooting. Let them play basketball, we didn't come to see the refs, but that is what the NBA has turned into. The action is constantly being stopped because of a foul call. Look at most those calls, you can't play defense in the NBA, especially on a so called superstar. Refs automatically call fouls against anyone guarding Kobe, LeBron, or any other players that are labeled "superstars". It is to bad such a great sport has come to watch a foul shooting match! As for me, I'll stick to watching Hockey, now that's not a sport for sissy's.
Posted at 5:12PM on May 8th 2008 by Pat
10. From what I understand in sports history is : ALL Boston teams and fans are crybabies (The Patriots were found GUILTY OF CHEATING AND FINED $750,000 , and they CRIED aboutr that too --not to mention losing the SUPERBOWL )and is has been shown throughout the years . Let's see : The Pats loss in Superbowl --crying about the final seconds :: The bruins getting smoked by the Canadiens - they cried there weren't enough penalty calls or refs were " Blind " :: Now what happens when the Celtics lose to either The Cavs Or the Lakers if they make it that far :: More cying about who knows what ..CRY CRY CRY and they're all Multimillionaires ---SHEESH!
Posted at 5:32PM on May 8th 2008 by RC
11. Hey RC where you from? Losing in the 7th game of a playoff isn't getting smoked. esp. when you lose to the team that had the best record in the east.Oh yea I guess you forgot who won last years World Series. bet they cheated too. Your an idiot.
Posted at 5:54PM on May 8th 2008 by Jhavlic
12. Ever since David ( I am GOD) Stern took over control of the NBA it's been down hill. When he came in and told the old school fres how to call the game to me it ruined the game. Some of the best refs the game ever had left because of his Madison Ave. style. For all you kids out there that really don't know the real game,refs like Mendy Rudoulf, Joe Gashue let the players play the game. When asked, one of todays "Superstar" had no idea who Oscar robertson was. Like Sir Charles says " Todays players need to know the game. Not how to play but the history of the game. Oh yea by the way taking 3 to 3 1/2 steps was traveling in the old days.remember that LaBron, Koby and all the other "Superstar"
Posted at 5:56PM on May 8th 2008 by Jhavlic
13. Sam Cassell is nothing but a big crybaby and whiner I work at Staples center and the entire time he was with the Clippers all he did was cry and complain. he only played when he felt like it or was in the mood alot of times he claimed to be injured so he did not have to play and really was just being lazy or moody. Case in point saying he was injured and not playing in alot of games this season and then suddenly healing when he was traded to the Celtics. I hope this bum never wins a championship. It won't take long for him to wear out his welcome in Boston.
Posted at 6:09PM on May 8th 2008 by Carl Biel
14. I am surprise about you Brett is a f@#$% prediction, that's all!
Posted at 7:33PM on May 8th 2008 by frank
15. And I am not a gambler never was never will be!
I just know a little bit about the game, that's all, thanks!
Posted at 7:35PM on May 8th 2008 by frank
16. The NBA rescinded the flagrant foul call after reviewing the tape. I guess all the crybabies complaining about Cassell can shut up now.
Posted at 7:51PM on May 8th 2008 by Joe
17. lebron is a big crybaby. he should just shut up and play ball.
Posted at 7:52PM on May 8th 2008 by amart7
18. I hope LeBoob and the Cavs get sent home packing. Then the crybaby can go home and cry to himself in the mirror. And I'm from Cleveland. This clown has very little class. Me Me ME, I I I, come on everyone, learn LeBrons favorite words.
Posted at 8:52PM on May 8th 2008 by Ken
19. Man what is going on with James. They need to bench him.
Posted at 9:04PM on May 8th 2008 by Denny
20. It's tough for me to watch the Defense Optional League.. and the preferential treatment certain superstars get. LeFraud James is the new Michael Jordan -- gets away with everything, and nobody can touch him without getting called. Disgusting.
Posted at 9:20PM on May 8th 2008 by Stacy