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Beyond lunacy
TweetREALLY? That’s how we leave this week? Joey Wright’s charge still not heard and no end in sight?
And here we thought PLOCH used to be fairly ordinary. He looks positively the height of tribunal efficiency these days.
How does the NBL expect the world at large to view it as anything but bush league when resolving an issue which could have – should have been settled within 24 hours – still hangs in the air a week later?
Just nonsensical. For starters, before anything else, both clubs ALREADY were found guilty of breaching the NBL Code of Conduct for their roles in the melee. Why haven’t those penalties and/or sanctions even been finalised?
Wright (striking) and Wildcats import James Ennis (attempting to strike) were charged on Monday, Ennis exonerated on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, at the 36ers’ prompting, the NBL decided to review the culpability of Wildcats second assistant Adam Tatalovich and charged him with misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute.
By this point, anyone not directly associated with either club or a fan of either already was starting to yawn with indifference.
Not sure whether the league somehow believed prolonging this nonsense into a second week meant more publicity than usual or if it was a victim of circumstances but ultimately, it makes no difference.
The league just looks amateurish and barely competent.
The entire affair should have been dealt with on Saturday of last week. Yes, the day after the game.
I know NBL CEO Fraser Neill had access to the video on Saturday and for the life of me, it beggars belief the league has nothing in place which simply would have allowed him to rule as any reasonable observer could have.
That is, chronologically:
1 Reprimand Gary Ervin for his post-game remarks to Greg Hire regarding the latter taking a late three-pointer. It is for Ervin to learn and/or understand the rules regarding points spread and not Hire’s place to defend what was a completely reasonable – possibly even an essential – decision;
2 Remind James Ennis that while it is not essential to shake hands with opponents post-game, it also is not a requirement to further inflame an unnecessarily escalating situation;
3 Reprimand and put Tatalovich on notice for unnecessarily remonstrating with a rival head coach who clearly was acting the peacemaker;
4 Reprimand and fine Wright a suspended $2,500 for the correct charge “bringing the game into disrepute” for what was a huge over-reaction.
5 Fine both clubs for their part in the melee – maybe $5,000 each and that should temper a few people;
6 Reprimand Wildcats CEO Nick Marvin for posting an inflammatory and allegedly incriminating still photo of Wright and Tatalovich, reminding him of his responsibilities as a club chief executive and an NBL director.
7 Announce the decisions and move on.
That’s what I believe should have happened.
This other puerile nonsense has done nothing to help resolve the conflict, allow the participants to move forward or for the league to show mainstream Australia that yes, it is again a credible force on the sporting landscape.
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