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NBA Continues Favoritism of Stars Over Memphis Grizzlies

By Christian Dudley

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May 1, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-84. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has now rescinded two technical fouls originally assessed to Russell Westbrook, so why can the Memphis Grizzlies not receive that type of treatment from the league?

Today, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook saw his second consecutive technical foul rescinded by the NBA.

What does this mean? The NBA has a rule where a player becomes suspended for their next game once the said player reaches 16 total technical fouls in a single season. Russell Westbrook had 15 Ts, received another, and had it rescinded. The process happened yet again yesterday when Westbrook and the Thunder took on the Indiana Pacers.

Russell Westbrook was back to 15 technicals. He argued with a game official yesterday in the second half and it resulted in him being slapped with another T. Furthermore, he went on to touch the game official, in which is illegal per NBA rules. The exact moment can be viewed here:

As you can see from SportsCenter’s tweet above, the league removed the 16th Westbrook technical foul again. They also did not address Westbrook putting his arm around the referee either.

Feb 11, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dives for the ball while being guarded by Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Why is the league favoring Westbrook, one of the NBA’s top stars?

It is for just that reason–he is a superstar. He is an MVP candidate. Westbrook has been putting up some incredible numbers–including 12 triple-doubles this season. He would likely be the runaway candidate for MVP if his team would have a slightly better record. As of right now, it is looking like they will barely miss earning a trip to the postseason.

But hold on one second.

Is the NBA trying their hardest to allow Westbrook to play so that it can benefit the league’s viewing ratings? Not only is OKC in an extremely tight race with the New Orleans Pelicans to overtake the eighth and final playoff position, but Westbrook finds himself in a neck-and-neck race for the NBA’s scoring title against former teammate and Memphis Grizzlies’ foe James Harden of the Houston Rockets.

Nov 17, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) attempts to gain position on Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Houston 119-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Westbrook is averaging 27.9 points per game while Harden is putting up 27.5 PPG. If the OKC Thunder were to lose their star guard, Harden could very well have a huge game and overtake Westbrook for the scoring title. A Westbrook suspension could also eliminate the chance for a huge battle, a la David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal, at some point this week for the two scoring guards to explode offensively, racing to become the latest scoring champ.

But you will not see the NBA rescind technical fouls in any instance for the Memphis Grizzlies, regardless of how big or small the game may be.

Example No. 2. Blake Griffin. Griffin made several questionable hits and actions in Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, including this one in the video below. [Ed. Note: The duration of 1:21 to 1:39 in the below video pertains to this topic of discussion.]

Griffin demonstrated excessive behavior in this scrum, which should have earned him an additional technical foul or perhaps further punishment from league office. He also made unnecessary contact with Grizzlies’ point guard Beno Udrih after a made basket while running up the court. It left Udrih on the floor in obvious pain, but no call was made on by the officials and no review was conducted by the NBA. They all brushed off the Griffin-Udrih incident. It was the Memphis Grizzlies. It was one of the NBA’s top stars. Like always, who does the league favor?

It was very similar to the incident in last season’s NBA Playoffs where OKC’s Steven Adams hit Memphis’ Zach Randolph, but the NBA punished Z-Bo for his retaliatory shove with a suspension for the following Game 7 versus the Thunder. In case you forget this incident, here it is:

How do star players, such as Westbrook and Griffin, get away with so many things? How do they get so many technical rescinded, especially in crucial times?

The Memphis Grizzlies do not receive any type of favoritism, such as having technical fouls rescinded (Westbrook) and the league completely disregarding incidents that potentially warrant a suspension (Griffin). In the past, the NBA has went beyond being harsh towards the Grizzlies’ franchise, suspending their leader (Z-Bo) in a Game 7, which Memphis would later lose.

Apr 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (left) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) battle for the ball during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 94-86. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Grizz Nation, expect this postseason to be different. Assuming all players are healthy, the grit and grind will take over the NBA Playoffs as the Grizzlies have perhaps their deepest and most talented roster in franchise history. This squad can defeat any opponent in a seven-game series. This is a new beast of a team–one that will topple flashy teams for good. Memphis is ready to have the last laugh.

The time is now for Memphis to start thinking “championship.” That is one hope the NBA cannot rescind.

Go Grizz!

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