Clippers vs OKC F1

[rekent]

I will preface this by saying I am both an OKC fan, and I cannot stand Blake Griffin even remotely. Now though, as an objective official viewing a video of two faceless, nameless players:

It does not look like there was malicious intent on Ibaka's part. At the time contact was made, he is looking at the rim to find the ball for a potential rebound. At the 3-4 second mark you can clearly see Griffin Holding Ibaka, pulling his jersey.

Ibaka attempted to shove Griffin's arm off and then attempts to swipe it. The contact was excessive, but in my estimation neither calculated or malicious, and it does not appear he aimed to hit Griffin in that manner. Personally, I feel an F1 was the correct call. Had Ibaka been looking down so he could see where his hand was going, easy F2.

Personally I don't think the league office will upgrade it; it was not excessive when viewed in the light of attempting to free himself from Griffin's hold and not looking at where his hand was going. It also seems to fail several of the published factors they look at for upgrade/downgrades.

In a HS game I go up to intentional here without any thought, and consider flagrant until I process everything I saw and leave it alone (all while wishing I had gotten the hold if I hadn't called it).

Relied on this video.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by rekent

...It does not look like there was malicious intent on Ibaka's part...

I'm not an OKC fan and I couldn't give a flip about either player...but how can you say it doesn't look like malicious intent? Ibaka practically winds up and chops him in the nads with his fist!

Ibaka: "Flagrant?!? I got ALL BALL!"

[rekent]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I'm not an OKC fan and I couldn't give a flip about either player...but how can you say it doesn't look like malicious intent? Ibaka practically winds up and chops him in the nads with his fist!

Ibaka: "Flagrant?!? I got ALL BALL!"

He winds up yes, but what it looks like he is chopping at is trying to sweep Griffin's arm since he is being held so he can go for the rebound. I see that same arm sweep in almost every NBA game I watch. From where he is, slightly back and to right of Griffin, Ibaka cannot possibly be aiming, as he cannot see his target.

[APG]

Originally Posted by rekent

He winds up yes, but what it looks like he is chopping at is trying to sweep Griffin's arm since he is being held so he can go for the rebound. I see that same arm sweep in almost every NBA game I watch. From where he is, slightly back and to right of Griffin, Ibaka cannot possibly be aiming, as he cannot see his target.

If a foul was to be called here, it would have been on Ibaka.

[rekent]

Originally Posted by APG

If a foul was to be called here, it would have been on Ibaka.

Absolutely agree, I am not arguing that at all. The jersey hold seems to be one passed on frequently and Ibaka pushes him to the floor quite nicely. If there hadn't been the F1, there still would have been a foul on Ibaka.