Hey Kevin Garnett a "squirrel tap" is Flagrant.
 

I know this forum is more dedicated to NFHS and NCAA etc... but anyone else watch the Suns -vs- Celtics game tonight? (28JAN11)

Garnett gave Frye a "squirrell tap" (cup-check) while Frye was in the act of shooting. Pushy-shove match ensued and Garnett got ejected. The ESPN announcers were whining about the officials overreacting???

I watched the game. They issued a foul on Kevin for the "love tap" on Channing Frye. Frye got mad (don't blame him either), and both were issued technical fouls for the initial confrontation. Garnett was issued a second technical because Steve Javie bascially told him to cut it out after he got Kevin away from the altercation, and he wouldn't shut up yelling at Frye. Second T and he was gone.

Now if you're asking if that should of been a flagrant foul per NFHS/NCAA, I wouldn't of given one. I might issue an intentional, but probably not. If you're asking if that was a flagrant foul per NBA rules, I didn't think so either. A flagrant foul penalty one involves contact with is unnecessary. Flagrant foul penalty two involve contact that is both unnecessary and excessive. On flagrant plays, there's usually some aspect of a windup, impact, and follow through. If all three happen on a play, then a flagrant foul penalty two is issued as that is deemed to be unnecessary and excessive. 2/3 and you can still have a flagrant two. If you have 1/3 more than likely a flagrant one is issued.

I also love how Van Gundy and Jackson decided they were experts on officiating mechanics. They were critiquing Javie's ejection of Rivers and acting like his second T issued to Rivers was the end of the world. Matter of fact was Javie walks away from Rivers and notices him mocking him after he issued the T by clapping at his direction. Looked like an easy T to me.

Twice in one sentence? Oy.

Good analysis of the NBE play, though. :)

Sorry, but if a player in my game does a nut cup, I'd be hard pressed not to toss him. I'll have to give this some thought.