Incog_Negro
11-15-2006, 06:15 PM
Van Gundy Urges NBA Officials To Protect Big Guys
Houston Chronicle - 11/15 - 7:10 AM EST
With center Yao Ming bringing a fresh, 18-inch scar and several new bumps and bruises back from Miami, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy on Tuesday gave a familiar but particularly passionate plea for the NBA to protect big men the way it has perimeter players.
While also speaking in defense of Spurs forward Bruce Bowen, who has been accused of being dirty or at least dangerous, Van Gundy said the Rockets' game in Miami on Sunday and the treatment of Yao stepped over the line to "reckless."
"It just irritated me," Van Gundy said. "The whole game irritated me the way he was officiated. 'There was no contact,' (officials said) yet there was blood streaming down his arm. They tell you there's no contact and you're watching blood flow, unless he's so self-hurtful he's taking his own nails to his skin and ripping it open to draw attention to himself, you have to ask yourself, 'What am I seeing? Why can't what I'm seeing and he's obviously feeling and seeing be seen?'
"There was going to be no call on the Chuck (Hayes) drive when he dished it off until (official) Dick Bavetta had to call it late from out of position. Everyone's talking about this Bruce Bowen stuff. Inside, Shaq (O'Neal), somebody swings at his head every game. Same with Yao. The guy (Miami's Antoine Walker) literally pushed him with both hands. He landed on one leg. The other time he landed on his back. And it was 'play on.' "
Houston Chronicle - 11/15 - 7:10 AM EST
With center Yao Ming bringing a fresh, 18-inch scar and several new bumps and bruises back from Miami, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy on Tuesday gave a familiar but particularly passionate plea for the NBA to protect big men the way it has perimeter players.
While also speaking in defense of Spurs forward Bruce Bowen, who has been accused of being dirty or at least dangerous, Van Gundy said the Rockets' game in Miami on Sunday and the treatment of Yao stepped over the line to "reckless."
"It just irritated me," Van Gundy said. "The whole game irritated me the way he was officiated. 'There was no contact,' (officials said) yet there was blood streaming down his arm. They tell you there's no contact and you're watching blood flow, unless he's so self-hurtful he's taking his own nails to his skin and ripping it open to draw attention to himself, you have to ask yourself, 'What am I seeing? Why can't what I'm seeing and he's obviously feeling and seeing be seen?'
"There was going to be no call on the Chuck (Hayes) drive when he dished it off until (official) Dick Bavetta had to call it late from out of position. Everyone's talking about this Bruce Bowen stuff. Inside, Shaq (O'Neal), somebody swings at his head every game. Same with Yao. The guy (Miami's Antoine Walker) literally pushed him with both hands. He landed on one leg. The other time he landed on his back. And it was 'play on.' "