SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kings coach Rick Adelman believes the
Seattle SuperSonics are showing too much aggression and doing too
much acting in the playoffs, and he wants the officials to start
paying attention.
Adelman plans to send a videotape to the NBA offices
illustrating his biggest complaints about the officiating in the
first three games of Sacramento's first-round playoff series
against Seattle.
Adelman is particularly steamed by the rough-and-tumble style of
Danny Fortson and Jerome James, and Reggie Evans' flopping disturbs
him as well. The Sacramento coach thinks the referees aren't paying
attention to the darker side of an otherwise entertaining series.
"I tell you, we've looked at all three games, and it's going to
the league," Adelman said after the Kings' workout Saturday.
"It's too consistent. They've allowed too much to happen. It's
ridiculous what they're allowing to happen. ... After three games,
someone should look at that, and when the officials come in here
[for Game 4], they should be aware of that."
The officials called 37 fouls in the second half of Sacramento's
116-104 victory in Game 3 on Friday night, which cut Seattle's lead
to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The game was particularly
physical by the standards of two high-scoring teams that often
struggle on defense.
The Sonics transformed themselves from a lottery team to the
Northwest Division champions this season, and their new emphasis on
physical play often was cited as a big reason. Though Adelman
praised Fortson and Evans for "doing their jobs," he believes
their play often crosses the line.
"I mean, these guys come in there and they're shoving, and
they're pushing," Adelman said. "Jerome was pushing, and Fortson,
that's all he does -- makes free throws and pushes, just mugs
people. We've got to combat that, but I think it's got to be looked
at a little bit more. I know the playoffs are physical, but I've
been told they're no different than the regular season."
Fortson has been an agitator in each of Seattle's seven games
against Sacramento so far this season. The veteran forward got five
technical fouls in the clubs' four regular-season meetings, and he
has two T's in the three playoff games.
"That's all he's in there for, is to push and shove, especially
on the boards," Adelman said. "And Evans -- you talk about Vlade
[Divac] being a flopper? This guy is taking it to a whole new
level. He goes down when the air conditioning comes on.
"They're doing their jobs, but I think there's times when they
go overboard, and I think the officials should be aware of that."
Adelman cited one particularly egregious instance when Evans
fell down after a tussle with Sacramento's Brian Skinner.
"It was like he dove into a pool," Adelman said. "I looked at
that, and I ran it back [on tape], and I said, 'What is he doing?'
They didn't call it, thank goodness."
Adelman made his comments several hours after the Sonics'
practice. Sacramento hosts Seattle in Game 4 on Sunday night.
On the other hand, the Sonics believe Fortson has been hit with
too many minor fouls.
"We felt like they were calling the fouls on [Fortson] with
quick whistles," coach Nate McMillan said Friday night. "I
thought the technical he got [for a scuffle with Corliss
Williamson] should have been called on both of them. It should have
been a double foul, but every [call] seems to go against him."