via Imago
Mar 7, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) reacts after being called for a foul against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Mar 7, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) reacts after being called for a foul against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Sacramento Kings have had a poor season so far. They are the 13th seed in the Western Conference and are currently on a losing streak of 3 games. Other than that, they have only won 2 of their last 10 games. The record 24-44 speaks volumes about their struggle to find any sort of momentum. Either on the road or playing at home, this NBA season is a lost cause by the looks of it.
Speaking of lost causes, the New York Knicks are unfortunately another team with a worrisome record. With a record of 28-38, the Knicks are the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. They have won just 3 out of their last 10 games and are currently on a 3 game win streak, but it seems grabbing as many points as possible is the only way they can end this season. The two teams met on March 7th, Monday night.
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The Knicks struggled in the first quarter but found their touch after that. Going into the second half with a 15 point deficit, the Knicks turned things around with commanding performances in the 3rd and 4th quarters. They ended up winning 131-115 in the end. Other than the loss for the Kings, Sacramento fans were upset about one more incident which made the headlines.
Domantas Sabonis faces suspension
During the game, a technical foul was called against Domantas Sabonis late in the 4th quarter. Sabonis, unhappy with it, showed his disagreement with frustrated anguish towards the official. The referee did not see the altercation as fair and Sabonis was done for the game. Moreover, the NBA issued a statement informing that Sabonis? punishment was beyond that game.?
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/MZpwwRY3q4
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 9, 2022
Sabonis has now completed his suspension of one game when the Nuggets grabbed a win over the Kings on Wednesday night. But this one game ban did not sit well with the fans.?
League so soft. NFL players can literally do leap frog after a touch down but if an official gets bumped a player gets suspended. #nbasosoft
— SpicyK (@SpicyK2020) March 9, 2022
Lol NBA. Luka will burn down a referee's house for an obvious foul call whistled on him and a Sacramento King gets loose after an obvious bad call and gets tossed and suspended a game.
Trash trash trash.
— Can't skip lunch (@TheAquacadet) March 9, 2022
NYK not suspended but a Sacramento King is… “parity”
— Drew (@RebootedDrew) March 10, 2022
He didn’t even do anything Wtf lmao
— Leo (@Y0Le0) March 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/AkibaXv/status/1501643382724116484?s=20&t=khGyGFX2bDJNc0Ek26Pw1A
https://twitter.com/YMDgento24/status/1501620675475382286?s=20&t=khGyGFX2bDJNc0Ek26Pw1A
Lmfao this is so SOFT; & SELECTIVE. 👎🏻👎🏻 no wonder players complain the game is so soft. Players get selective treatment. This was another player they would relegate one of the fouls.
— s (@trillsamsonite) March 9, 2022
Wild to say the bump was hostile, there was such a slight amount of contact that likely wasn’t even intentional.
— Bruce Wayne (@_BANN3D_) March 9, 2022
Why can't the NBA just improve its referee training. The inconsistency of these guys just makes the league look poor
— Cash_Banooca (@Cash_Banooca276) March 9, 2022
Nba suspends player for looking threatening at a reff the same amount they suspended grayson allen for attempting to destroy caruso’s career. Interesting
— Mabruk Dīn Frazier (@RINThaDON) March 9, 2022
‘Bumped the official in a hostile manner’ definitely overstates what happened having watched the replay.
— BrendaTrueNorth (@brendatruenorth) March 9, 2022
Your officiating is lacking consistency and honestly you see the frustration of the players. Remember Refs don’t make you money, players do. People pay to see players not Refs and fans and players are getting tired of Refs trying to be the deciding factor on games. Do something!
— mike pitti (@mpittpty) March 10, 2022
The fans on Twitter were fuming at the fact that the reaction from Sabonis and the altercation was not enough in any way to issue a ban. This is the incident that led to the outburst, an ejection, and a one-game suspension.
WATCH: Domantas Sabonis, Anthony Davis and other stars who were snubbed from the All Star game.
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Domantas Sabonis going out in style pic.twitter.com/hLEn5gvPmk
— Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) March 8, 2022
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 7, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) reacts after a call against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The referees have been subject to questioning over the fairness and the consistency of their decisions. The league has been intense and full of ups and downs. One thing that still lacks and is evident is consistency.
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Many argue that the league has gone soft, but the truth of the matter is there won?t be this many out lashes from the fans or the players if there would be constant consistency. That is certainly something NBA has to work upon as the season is close to its conclusion.
