Stotts needs to use his 1 coach's challenge every single game in the first quarter on whatever ticky tack bullshit gets called on Zach. We should call it the Collins Challenge from now on. Use it to fucking embarrass refs. If you blow a questionable call on Zach YOU WILL GET CALLED ON IT. The strategy of holding onto it until the 4th quarter is a waste of time. By then the foul damage is done. Zach deserves a better rep in the league than he has, and the coach has an actual tool in his hands he can use to make that happen. Looking incredulous doesn't change shit, Terry. If you are outraged (and you should be, based on the two non-fouls Zach was called with in Game 1) do something about it.
If Terry did do it every game, by game 10 or so I guarantee guys like Zach Lowe would start discussing it, and then the wider NBA. Which would only draw greater attention to the fact that so many of Zach's "fouls" are bullshit. I think it'd have a side effect of helping to keep Zach's head in the game. He's a really volatile guy, and I think those phantom calls really get under his skin. If he knew the coach always had his back, I think it'd go a long way into keeping him more level. It's equivalent to the coach taking a technical so a player doesn't. Even when the call doesn't get reversed, I think it'd be good for Zach's development.
Zach's first 3 fouls.....I'm not positive ANY of them was an actual foul. Someone came over his back, then it's questionable as if he ever touched the guy on the 2nd call and Barton went into Zach's vertical arms as Will was going sideways. Three VERY suspect calls.
I think he should clearly have used his challenge on one of the BS foul Zach had while contesting a shot this game.
I really like this strategy although I suspect the first time we don't have a coaches challenge at the end of a game for a call that could alter the outcome of a that game people would freak out.
The problem is that I can almost guarantee the ref won't overturn the call so the BS call will still count and Stotts would've wasted his challenge.
I think it's the bigger point of bringing it to the attention of the league/fans. IF Stotts always challenges a BS call on Collins, it'll start to get traction.
I disagree if it isn't getting overturned the only attention it will get is people calling Stotts an idiot.
Could be. But it might bring attention as to why he's calling it. I think eventually it would bring attention to why they're calling them on him (and other players in the league) but not on certain untouchable stars. I'm a firm believer in a foul is a foul is a foul. And also it's a foul WHEN it happens not after the play/shot is missed.
Love this idea. Zach is constantly called for BS fouls and it is beyond infuriating. It'd be one thing if he they were close but I feel like he gets 2 fouls a game that are complete ghost fouls.
I think Stotts has the right idea, just at the WRONG time. In the last 10 or 20 games of the season, it should be used in just the way Stotts is using it now. Earlier in the season, he should be using it just like @mook said.
I think some would freak out, but the truth is how likely is it going to be a case where a challenge decided the outcome of a game? If they hold onto it every time until the end of the 4th, it might come into play 3 or 4 times a season, and at best come out 1-2 wins in our favor. Following my strategy would probably allow Zach to play without worrying about foul trouble way more games than that. I bet it'd result in an added 7-8mpg average increase over 82 games, and who knows how many deflections and blocks as he's allowed to play defense more aggressively. Plus, it's an investment in the playoffs. Defense is so much about reputation. If this strategy winds up with Zach getting the benefit of the doubt in the playoffs more, that could swing a playoff series. And it's an investment in Zach's future. We're not just talking about his reputation for one year here, but his career. All that is worth way more than potentially giving up a couple regular season wins.
Proud to be the only no vote here. I somewhat agree with your premise they have to get Zach some respect from the officials, but I wouldn't save it just for Zach plays, I don't see Stotts using it that much anyway I think he'll try to be "cute" with it.
He played 31 mins last night and had only 3 fouls. Think this is fine. This idea mighta been necessary last year, but after the playoffs, it seems like refs are largely letting him play.
I support this idea. The reason he might be wary, though, is Refs will HATE coaches who do this and that might come back to bite you in the ass. What if they get rid of that next year but the fact that you showed up some refs will never leave you.
Did I just see that??? Coach challenged a foul called on Collins??? I guess he does come here to read our posts. THANK YOU MR. STOTTS!!!
I was watching the Sac feed, and it happened so quick; so don't quote me. Their announcers were very fair to our team, but were totally baffled that Stotts called the challenge, at that point in the game. I swear, I think one said; "He must be trying to prove a point...." I just HAVE to find a replay of that...
