We are going to agree to disagree on this play.

Speak for yourself. ;)

Sorry...I am going to agree to disgree...:eek:

I would agree to disagree if this were a borderline call. If Garnett were in Howard's space, if they were closer together, I could agree to disagree about an elbow to the head. I CAN agree to disagree about whether the elbow is moving faster than the pivot, which is close.

As it stands, I don't see much room for reasonable disagreement here. Howard's got long arms, and his elbow is way outside the limit of his protected space when he makes contact. Garnett's head is not in that space or even very near it. All that's true regardless of whether one judges that the elbow was moving faster than the pivot, and it independently warrants the foul.

Just curious - what rule do you use to say this move is legal?

According to NFHS 4-24-6:"...The extension of the elbows when the hands are on the hips, or when the hands are held near the chest, or when the arms are held more or less horizontally are examples of the illegal positions used."

I believe the NCAA wording is similar. I'm also assuming the NBA rule is similar, since the C came in and got that call when the L was straight-lined from the contact. Great call from the C.

Howard knew exactly what he was doing and went after KG. It was completely avoidable. Offensive foul for sure.