Dwight, you better be on your best behavior this year:

NBA expands guidelines on technicals

NBA referees will have more reasons to issue technical fouls next season.

At the referees' annual meeting in Jersey City, N.J., on Thursday, the league announced the guidelines for technical fouls will expand to include "overt" player reactions to referee calls.

Referees have been instructed to call a technical for:

• Players making aggressive gestures, such as air punches, anywhere on the court.

• Demonstrative disagreement, such as when a player incredulously raises his hands, or smacks his own arm to demonstrate how he was fouled.

• Running directly at an official to complain about a call.

• Excessive inquiries about a call, even in a civilized tone.

In addition, referees have been instructed to consider calling technicals on players who use body language to question or demonstrate displeasure, or say things like, "Come on!" They can also consider technicals for players who "take the long path to the official", walking across the court to make their case.

For the 2006-07 season, the NBA announced a similar crackdown, but the effect was short-lived. Officials say this time they expect the new policies to stick.

Ron Johnson, the NBA's senior vice president of referee operations, said audience research was a major factor behind the most recent change.

"Our players are more personally connected to fans than any other sports," Johnson said. "We don't have masks. ... There's nothing you can hide on the expression of an NBA players. ... People expect hockey players to be fighting. They expect baseball managers to be kicking dirt on umpires. But that's not our game. That's not what our fans want. They tell us in many many ways and I think we have to adjust to meet the needs of our league and our fans. It's a business."

Some reactions will not be penalized, Johnson said. "Heat of the moment" reactions, like a defensive player briefly raising his hands to show he had proper position, will be acceptable.

Johnson also said players showing frustration with themselves will not be penalized, and players will still be able to discuss the game with the referees.

"We want referees and players to talk to understand each other," Johnson said. "If it's infrequent and not distracting, that's fine."

NBA coaches were informed of the changes last week. Beginning Sept. 29th, the league will make presentations on the new rules to the players in all NBA cities.

"We don't want our players looking like they're complaining about calls on the court because it makes them look like complainers," Johnson said. "You do that six times in a game, it really starts to look bad on television. A lot of these things may not look as bad in the arena. But on TV, when attention is focused on it, it stands out."

It’s a potential pairing that will make Orlando Magic fans drool: a superstar point guard throwing alley-oops to a superstar center.

According to one report this morning, the Magic have interest in making it happen.

FanHouse.com, citing one unnamed league source, is reporting that the Magic are one of a group of teams that have inquired about a potential trade with the New Orleans Hornets regarding perennial all-star point guard Chris Paul.

But the writer, Sam Amick, stresses that “the Hornets are unlikely to move Paul.”

Otis - if you can make this happen....

Orlando, FL – Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday morning to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Nelson was injured in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game vs. Charlotte and underwent an MRI Tuesday morning.

It is estimated that Nelson will be out four-to-six weeks following the procedure.

Nelson had started all 11 games for the Magic, averaging 13.7 ppg. and a team-high 5.5 apg.

The Magic (8-3) return to action Wednesday night by hosting Oklahoma City at Amway Arena (tip-off 7 p.m.)

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/nelson_surgery_111709.html

Ugh - glad we got White Chocolate there and AJ will have to step up to play.

From ESPN.com

LOS ANGELES -- Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson will be activated Thursday for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, but no decision has been made yet on playing time, an NBA source told ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

During the past few days, Magic general manager Otis Smith has told Nichols that the Magic have never been considering whether Nelson would be in the starting lineup. The question is how many minutes Nelson would get coming off the bench.

The All-Star point guard participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. Players said Nelson looked "terrific" during the practice.

"I expect to see him out there at some point in the series," backup point guard Anthony Johnson said earlier this week.

Nelson had what was then called season-ending surgery Feb. 19. His rehabilitation was supposed to take at least another two months.

"I'm not saying I'm any tougher or stronger than anybody, but I've been known to do some amazing things sometimes," Nelson said Tuesday, as he again lobbied for playing time.

Lots of conflicting info coming out of LA.  Interesting....

I deleted the FanShot I put up about the same story because, well .. I'm a nice guy and like to reward 3QC members with some front page time when applicable. - ER

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

BOSTON - After saying Tuesday he would not play, Magic shooting guard Courtney Lee might suit up tonight for Game 2 against the Celtics

It is still likely he will not play six days after undergoing sinus surgery, but the door is ajar, contrary to what he previously indicated.

"He. . . .may dress," Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But he has done very, very little and he's trying to get used to that mask. I would be very surprised if you see him."

Lee quietly has been building a case to play, working out and shooting while wearing his protective mask late Tuesday. He also plans to head over early to TD Banknorth Garden and move and shoot some more with it on before the game.

Lee couldn't give a straight answer after participating in shootaround Wednesday: Will you dress out tonight?

"Have to see how I feel later on. I don't know yet. Take it one step at a time and see how I feel and make decisions on the fly."

It would be nice to have him as an option, but I wouldn't count on it.

Bumped this to the front page (and edited it), given it's relevant and urgent news. - ER

Via ESPN.com:

Magic guard Courtney Lee, who had surgery last week to repair a fractured sinus, likely will be available for Friday's Game 3 when the conference semifinals against the Celtics return to Orlando, according to a report in The Boston Globe.

Certainly good news if it happens.  I bet he comes off the bench to start, then works his way back into the starting lineup.  He's got to get used to the mask he'll be wearing - maybe he can call Rip for some advice.

And besides, J.J. and Peaches are playing pretty well (so far) in his stead.  Hopefully that will continue.

Orlando Magic all-star point guard Jameer Nelson sustaned a torn right labrum in his shoulder and the club and Nelson will decide over the next week whether he will have surgery or attempt rehabilitation.

Which course Nelson and the team decide to take will determine how much time he will miss, but it appears he will be out weeks. If surgery is the option, Nelson's season is over.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-nelson-injury-update,0,3257565.story