It's not illegal. It's not sharp. It looks like it's one of those plastic rounded toothpicks. But it's not illegal.
Hogue chewing on toothpick???
- Thread starter Clonegrad07
- Start date
It's not illegal. It's not sharp. It looks like it's one of those plastic rounded toothpicks. But it's not illegal.
It definitely can not be within the rules. That said I don't care. I noticed it in the second game of the season, but didn't say anything. I actually caught it because Naz yelled at him and told him to hide it back in his mouth. I had some close seats for the first game of the season. I also know he had a bloody lip in one game, I thought it was probably from the toothpick, but he claims it has never been a problem.
I've heard Drew is looking to simplify the rule so it reads "players may have nothing in their mouth longer than 35mm" which would eliminate everything stated in the version referenced in my previous post except Scott Drew's...
Also why do people think this is do definitely illegal? You really think someone bothered to state this in the rules? Who cares if he wants to stab himself in the cheek? It's not like he's got Kane's ninja skills and is going to gouge someone in the eye with it.
These are the three rules I could find that might make it impermissible.
For the first rule, I doubt it is dangerous to another player, but any referee could determine that it is, and therefore be in violation, because it is up to their discretion.
For the 2nd (Art. 5) A toothpick could cut or cause an injury to another player. So it violates that rule.
And the 3rd (Art. 6). It is hard to argue a toothpick is appropriate for basketball and that rule seems like intentionally vague catch-all rule, designed for situations such as this.
Also there is this catch-all rule:
However with all of these rules there is no listed punishment. All that should happen is that he is requested to remove the toothpick from his mouth.
For the first rule, I doubt it is dangerous to another player, but any referee could determine that it is, and therefore be in violation, because it is up to their discretion.
For the 2nd (Art. 5) A toothpick could cut or cause an injury to another player. So it violates that rule.
And the 3rd (Art. 6). It is hard to argue a toothpick is appropriate for basketball and that rule seems like intentionally vague catch-all rule, designed for situations such as this.
Also there is this catch-all rule:
However with all of these rules there is no listed punishment. All that should happen is that he is requested to remove the toothpick from his mouth.
Great. Somebody on Cyclone Fanatic sees it, then the Ames Tribute publishes an article about it. Scott Drew will probably file a formal complaint and try to get our win taken away. Seriously, I kinda wish it wasn't going to be splashed all over the paper. Let it be his thing.
A toothpick seems as appropriate to basketball as the weird pants and shades that Austin was wearing. But I could see a ref possibly asking him to remove it but seems a long shot.
I think there's some sarcasm here, but I think it's more that Hines picked it up because Hogue tweeted about it (not sure if in response to anyone) than because CF had a thread.
Not to mention someone else on the floor. Imagine a couple guys going up for a board and one of them comes down with a toothpick in their eye.
