Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevadaref
Perhaps a better parallel for this situation is when a team spills water on the court during a time-out. The officials can't just tell them to clean it up. The rule has been infringed. Not only does the court need to be cleaned up, but the team needs to be issued a delay warning or a technical foul if previously warned.
Another analogous situation seems to be changing a jersey inside the visual confines of the gym. Once the team member removes his shirt he has earned the T. You can't tell him to put it back on or to go outside and finsihing changing. It's too late. The act has been committed and the penalty is warranted.
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The difference is that the rules make it the OFFICIALS' responsibility to make sure the practice doesn't take place rather than directing that it is unsporting behavior. If a player makes it to the FT line with a ball during a TO, then the OFFICIALS have failed to do their job. The same is not true of a water spill or removed shirt.