We Guess The NBA Isn't Messing Around: Rasheed Wallace Ejected In Opener

The Detroit Pistons lost their opener last night to the Milwaukee Bucks 105-97 at home. Rasheed Wallace was shown the door with an ejection during the game. Not surprising since he had 16 technicals last season, though considerably down from years past. It appears, however, NBA officials were setting an example to Wallace and others that they are taking the newly implemented rules very seriously.

Wallace, notorious for bantering with officials and reacting demonstratively to their calls, might have trouble adjusting to a new NBA point of emphasis.

He was called for a foul late in the first quarter. When he reacted with his eyes wide, mouth open in disbelief and his arms out at his sides, official Ken Mauer whistled him for a technical.

Official Luis Grillo ejected Wallace with a second technical after twice motioning -- with his finger across his neck -- for him to stop complaining about a call against teammate Mohammed.

Players are fined $1,000 for each of their first five technicals, an amount that increases by $500 for each five after that, capped by a $2,500 penalty for each one starting with the 16th. A one-game suspension also comes at that point and for every other technical thereafter.

Could we see a change in Sheed this year, when it comes down to the money, or will the Sheed continue to do his thing regardless of what the league says. Honestly, we think that Wallace should just go on doing what he does, it's certainly more entertaining regardless of what David Stern has to say.


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