The Ringer NBA Show Rate That Crash Out! | Real Ones
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Mar 3, 2026 They debate whether Lu Dort’s hip-check on Nikola Jokic deserved ejection and dissect what makes a foul physical, reckless, or dirty. They trace why the Thunder might be sliding into a villain narrative. They map the Western Conference pecking order. They compare Jaylen Brown’s MVP case to Victor Wembanyama’s without picking a winner.
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Three Buckets For Evaluating Physical Defense
- Raja Bell separates defensive contact into physical, reckless, and dirty categories based on intent and injury risk.
- Physical aims to stop a player without intent to injure, reckless involves dangerous last-second contact, and dirty means deliberate attempts to hurt (e.g., tripping a shooter).
Ejections Come From Action And Aftermath
- The referees considered both the hip check on Nikola Jokic and the ensuing altercation when ejecting Lu Dort.
- James Williams’ pool report cited unnecessary and excessive contact plus high potential for injury and the follow-on commotion as decisive factors.
Modern Officiating Weighs Escalation Risk
- Raja Bell and Howard Beck agreed Dort's hip check looked dirty but likely wouldn't have been an automatic ejection in their playing days without the scuffle that followed.
- Modern officiating factors prevention of escalation, so post-contact reactions now influence penalties more heavily.