How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

<font color="plum">It happened last night in the WCC Tournament between St. Mary's and Gonzaga. One of the St. Mary's players dunked the ball during pre-game warm-ups - which is against the rules and constitutes a technical foul. That meant Gonzaga got two free throws before the game even started. So it could have been worse - St. Mary's could have started the game down by 2 points instead of 1.

ESPN story here

The dunk and technical foul aren't mentioned until almost the very end of the article.</font>

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

Never knew such a rule existed. What a stupid rule. I could swear I've seen other players dunk in pregame warmups, the ref must have been an asshole.

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

Well, the rule makes a kind of sense when you consider one or two possibilities.

1) The dunking could plausibly create a psychological advantage. (well, maybe)

2) It would really suck if you managed to shatter the backboard accidentally and thereby delay the games start time.

Of course, I haven't the foggiest idea why the rule was created in the first place.

Anyone know if there's a reason for the rule, or was it just some arbitrary decision, like the official diamter of the ball and hoop?

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

<font color="plum">It's unbelievable, but here is <font color="yellow">another</font> example of this little-known rule being enforced. This time, the consequences were more severe. It also looks like the rule wasn't applied universally.</font>

Pregame dunk costs team playoff game

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

According to the article it's a technical if you break the backboard during the game. Does anyone know if that rule applies to college and NBA? Unless the player goes overboard and intentionally tries to break the backboard, he shouldn't be penalized. Right?

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

I get the impression that the rule is designed to prevent both intentional, and potential accidental backboard breakage. And how do you prove one from the other?

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

It is very hard to break a backboard. If you do a regular dunk and hold on to the rim for 2-3 seconds max, it is not going to break. But if you see someone holding on to it and swinging up and down, clearly they're trying to break it. Now if you're someone Shaq's size and the board breaks when the dunk seems regular, then you can assume it was unintentional. And now that I think about it, from the youtube videos I've seen of Shaq breaking the backboard, I don't recall him being given a technical.

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

I'm pretty sure in the NBA you aren't given a technical if you break the backboard. Shaq has done it twice (the board even fell on Derrick Coleman once), and he wasn't given a technical. Shaq even admitted that he intentionally broke the board to show Coleman he was better than him, yet no T was given, so I think it's safe to assume that breaking the board or shattering the class does not earn you a technical in the NBA.

Re: How can a game start with a score of 1-0?
 

<font color="plum">According to wikipedia, shattering the backboard IS a technical foul in the NBA.

Of course, most backboards are reinforced and have breakaway rims. Many of them are also hydraulic instead of permanently bolted to the ceiling or wall. I know Shaq broke at least one of these hydraulic goals when he slammed the ball so hard the hydraulic arm failed and the entire goal slowly lowered to the floor. However, he did not shatter the backboard itself, so that may have been how he avoided a technical being called.</font>