Stars risk suspensions from technicals (AP)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Dwight Howard(notes) isn’t worried about getting another
suspension for drawing too many technical fouls.

The Orlando center already has missed a game for accumulating too many and
two more will cost him a game during the regular-season stretch run. Howard
insists he’ll be the “same guy” as the playoffs approach—meaning he’ll
continue to hold animated conversations with officials when he feels he’s been
wronged.

“Somebody fouls, and after the foul they continue to foul me,” Howard said
before a game in New York. “I get upset at the refs because they allow it to
happen, so my teammates are trying to do a better job of coming to console me so
I won’t say anything else.”

Playoff seeding, and even playoff berths, could be dramatically affected by
a wrong word, a shove or an errant elbow in the heat of the moment. The NBA’s
rule regarding technical fouls has come into play as teams jockey for postseason
position.

If a player reaches 16, it’s a one-game suspension, with additional
suspensions for every two technicals thereafter for the rest of the regular
season.

Howard, New York’s Amare Stoudemire(notes) and Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson(notes), all
leading scorers for their teams, are dangerously close to missing a game during
the crucial final games of the regular season. Orlando is in fourth place in the
East and within reach of Miami for the Atlantic Division title. New York and
Philadelphia are battling for the No. 6 position in the East, and Charlotte is
chasing Indiana for the No. 8 spot in the conference.

Homecourt advantage in the playoffs is determined by a team’s regular-season
record. Even if a game doesn’t affect conference seeding, it could determine
whether a team gets homecourt advantage in the NBA finals.

The possibility of missing a key game with so much at stake would seem to be
enough to make even surly players try to mind their manners. Their pocketbooks,
their reputations, their roles as team leaders are all theoretically at stake.

Howard leads the league with 16 technicals as of Friday. New York has a trio
of players with double-digit technicals—Stoudemire has 15, Carmelo Anthony(notes) 13
and Chauncey Billups(notes) 10. Anthony, in fact, averages a technical foul every 6.5
games over his career. Jackson has 14.

New York coach Mike D’Antoni knows Stoudemire must walk a tightrope, trying
to avoid technicals while still playing with emotion.

“I think he’ll handle himself, and if he can’t, then we’ll deal with
whatever happens,” D’Antoni said after Stoudemire drew his 15th back in
February. “So I’m going to leave it at that. He’s a guy that took us where we
are, and I’m not going to go and scrutinize too much because he’s a little bit
too emotional and plays too hard.”

Stoudemire received his 16th technical on March 10 against Dallas, but it
was later rescinded.

Jackson missed a game for Golden State in 2009 for drawing too many
technicals. He feels his role in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004 is a
significant factor in how he’s treated by the referees. He has always spoken his
mind and has for the most part, been unapologetic for his behavior.

“I get techs because I want to,” Jackson said recently. “I don’t care.
I’m not getting techs for no reason. It happens.”

Jackson has been on his best behavior recently, staying at 14 technicals
since Feb. 25.

“Jack, he does have to change and I think he recognizes that now,”
Charlotte coach Paul Silas said after Jackson’s 13th. “He just can’t go after
those guys. I know early on this year, they said the whole system changed as far
as the referee and what they were going to take. Even though you may not swear
at them or whatever, if you continue to talk to them in a disrespectful manner,
then they’re going to have to do something about it.”

Boston’s Kevin Garnett(notes) has 11 technicals this season, though he trails only
teammate Shaquille O’Neal(notes) among active players with 138 and draws one every 8.6
games. The Western Conference leader, Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant(notes), has 12.

Howard tends to get rough treatment in the lane and he’s not shy about
reacting. He was whistled for his 16th technical with 1:41 left in the first
half on March 4 against Chicago, and the Magic lost the game he missed.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has criticized commissioner David Stern while
defending his superstar.

“This is the system David Stern and his minions like,” Van Gundy said
after the suspension. “So that’s the system you have. … I certainly can’t
have an opinion because David Stern, like a lot of leaders we’ve seen in this
world lately, don’t really tolerate other people’s opinion or free speech or
anything. So I’m not really allowed to have an opinion. So it’s up to him.

“He decides and he likes the system he has.”

Stern responded strongly to Van Gundy, but didn’t fine him.

“It didn’t bother me personally,” Stern said on ESPN Radio. “I see
somebody whose team isn’t performing, whose star player was suspended, who seems
to be fraying.”

Stoudemire is the closest to a suspension.

“He knows, he’s at the limit now, so there’s no turning back now,”
D’Antoni said. “But if I’m not mistaken, that’s a man out there. He knows.
He’ll do what he’s got to do.”

AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed to this report from New York.