Now, I've always had a big problem with the way NBA officials call games. Watching an NBA game one must wonder why half of the rules are written the way they are when not a single referee enforces the rule that is written. Travelling, charging, blocking, rules with clear definitions but if you are a star that drives the hoop, feel free to take two steps, or to run into a defender that isn't quite at your caliber. If you're a known top-tier defender, don't worry about jumping in front of the dribbling or hitting an arm or two while you steal the ball.
The Olympic commentators didn't take issue with the calls being made, they acknowledged that the calls were legitimate fouls. Their complaint? That it disrupted the flow of the game. That, as a fan, it made it hard to watch. That it was a different style of officiating than the players were used accustomed to. But, mostly, they kept going back to the complaint that it didn't make it enjoyable for fans.
Of course, I disagree with that thought. I don't enjoy watching the NBA because the rules are meaningless. What matters is if you are a big name superstar, not the rules. That isn't athletics. That isn't fair sportsmanship. That is competition. I don't enjoy it.
But, even if that is what people enjoy, how messed up is that? Rules define the game. Without the rules, the game does not exist. Officials are there simply to make sure that the game is played. But, if it's not enjoyable to watch, forget the rules right? OK, rules for a sport are different from moral rules, moral rules are absolute, game rules can be changed. But, the commentary I heard during the Olympics seems to be so typically American. I don't like the rules, they impede my personal enjoyment, never mind if they are fair, just, necessary, or what everyone else agreed upon, all that matters is my personal enjoyment. So, please disregard any rule that causes me personal difficulty.
Then, today, a priest friend of mine posted an article on Facebook, he drew out one particular part:
The way to avoid secular messianism is to test everything America, Americans, and American politicians want to do against the teaching of the gospel and the Magisterium, instead of trying to figure out ways to make the gospel fit what America, Americans, and American politicians and oligarchs (but I repeat myself) want to do.It really echoed the thoughts I had about basketball rules and our American attitude. Even in cases where we can change rules, we just disregard them and do what we desire. Why would we try to live by rules we can't change if we won't change rules that can be changed to suit our desires?
