The NBA has reviewed a play from Milwaukee against Chicago on 23 October, and fined Kasparas Jakucionis for flopping. It even supplied the video. I watched it on my mobile, behind the counter of the club bar, between two tokens. He tries to box out Norman Powell after a missed shot by Tyler Herro, he jumps, he lands on his back. Fourth quarter, the moment when everyone is watching.
What makes me dream is not the fine. It’s that somewhere over there, someone’s job is to review the footage after the game.
At our place, the replay is the dad of number seven. He films from the telescopic stand, the one that unfolds when it feels like it, with half the screen hidden by the post. The video arrives on Sunday in the club WhatsApp, along with the photo of the scoresheet. You can’t see who falls. You can see the flask very clearly.
Nobody reviews it, mind you. I don’t have the time: the minibus, the accounts, the chip shop sponsor who wants a bigger logo. I’m a club president, not a replay centre.
Chantal, if they’ve got the video, I want the sound. A review without a jingle is a waste.
I’m not jealous. I just think of the person, somewhere, who rewound that play. She has finished her work. Did anyone switch off the lights behind her?
As for me, I’ve still got number seven’s dad’s video to watch, out of politeness. And the key to hand back.
It’s true, we checked: BasketNews.
