In Reply to: Re: Betts technical? posted by lafong on January 29, 2026 at 09:55:31
Feels a lot to me like the way refs regarded Wilt and especially Shak. They were just so big and so dominant, refs let opponents pound on them. I think they treat Lauren the same way - her size and her ability, her athleticism give her a big (okay, also a tall) advantage over just about everyone she faces and they kind of close their eyes some when those overmatched opponents bang on her a bit. I think they expect Lauren will overcome that and dominate anyway at least by changing the rules a bit she has to play through some level of opposition to do so.
I don't like it - never have. The rules are the rules and they ought to apply to everyone. But sometimes a player comes along who just physically overcomes the rules. (And sometimes that forces a rule change, - Another one was when Kareem (Lew) came to UCLA and suddenly the dunk was outlawed. Also people have gotten larger over time - there was a time when it felt like the big men were going to totally change the game and the powers that were expanded the size of the key.
But that's the point - the rules exist now and should be enforced evenly throughout the game now. Regardless of any single player or three. Right now the refs are simply choosing to apply a different standard against Lauren and a couple other players around the country most likely.