This time last year, the biggest non-playing related NBA story was Commissioner David Stern’s new dress code. Players were furious, claiming that the new rules of dress stifled creativity and didn’t allow them to express who they were. Noticed anything unusual lately? Of course not…players still have an unlimited number of options without wearing large pendants, reflection blinding bling, collarless shirts and blue jeans that droop to their ankles.

This year it’s Stern who is again under the gun. First, it was the new composition ball that Shaq described as being like “one of those cheap ones you buy in the toy store.” Funny, isn’t it that the hub-ub has quieted down? As Magic Johnson said on TNT, “The players will adjust to it.”

Stern also set new guidelines for owners, including Mark Cuban, who hangs out by the bench and hovers over his players. One of the guidelines is, “Non-coaches are not allowed in the huddle or its proximity.” Good rule and there is no doubt who is specifically targets. Pistons owner Bill Davidson needn’t worry. He sits quietly just 20 feet away from the huddle and lets his coaches coach and his players play.

But the rule that’s created the biggest furor is the so-called “zero tolerance” rule that prevents players from gesturing or ranting at officials. It has given referees a hair-trigger with the “T”. It’s even been called the “Rasheed Wallace” rule because of Sheed’s well-documented emotionalism and track record for picking up technicals.

After he was ejected from the opener, the furor escalated. Sheed said he was “blacklisted” and that it “takes the fun out of the game.” For sure, it’s no fun sitting in the locker room while your teammates lose the opener to Milwaukee.

But in fairness, Rasheed is not alone. Sacramento’s Mike Bibby and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony were ejected for mild forms of protest and both ejections cost their teams a chance to win. The problem seems to stem from the fact that there is gray area in the decisions. In the same game Anthony was ejected, Sam Cassell ranted in the final minute and didn’t get a call.

When the Pistons beat Boston Friday, Wally Szerbiak thrust his arm and gestured in a sign of frustration – then immediately said he was sorry – to no avail. He got called for a technical.

Here’s an email I received Sunday morning and my response, written just minutes ago:

Dear Mr. Zaret,

I don’t know if you are aware of my Pistons blog Need4Sheed.com but I recently started a petition to save SHEED and the NBA from the Zero Tolerance Technical foul rule the league has implemented this season. I have had it up for less than 48 hours and I already have close to 700 signatures. Although I understand the need for the technical foul, I believe the new rule is being executed unfairly. I just thought you might be interested in it.

Natalie Sitto

Dear Natalie,

I agree with your concern over the rule. But it’s all about adjustment. They will adjust to the ball and in time, the “Zero-tolerance” rule will be softened to a happy medium when guys start to "get it." David Stern says it isn't "Zero tolerance" --that's a term the players have applied.

By the way, have you noticed? Two games -- Boston and Memphis and Sheed has controlled himself and played well, helping the Pistons to back-to-back victories!

David Stern hasn’t led the NBA to its immense popularity worldwide by screwing it up. Showing up referees with vociferous and animated behavior does have some entertainment value. But my gut is that the commissioner’s belief is that the talent of the players, the greatness of the game itself and the drama of competitive play are what the focus should be on. In time, he’ll be proven correct once again.