[assignmentmaker]

This can be useful . . . but, when all is said and done, it's going to be a matter of whether or not the coach has a brain and it's plugged in.

Last night I had a defender do a good approximation of running under the shooter on a fast break. Fortunately, the contact was such that the shooter slid down the kid's back nicely and landed on his feet. Ball went in . . .

I put a fist up, thought about putting the the other one up and crossing them . . . and backed off. Reported the foul, and quickly said to the kid's coach, "That was that close to being intentional." "I know," he said, "I'm taking him out of the game."

I was satisfied. A rare moment . . .