The NBA's new emphasis on respecting the game has led to a surge in technical fouls in the preseason and growing annoyance from the NBA players association.

The league has been taking a no-nonsense approach to players stepping toward referees, being demonstrative, and even punching the air. Late on Monday, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh raised his arms skyward when a whistle blew, his way of telling referee Dick Bavetta that he didn't foul anybody.

It was a weak outbursts go, but it'll cost Bosh US$2,000.

"The emotion of the game can never be taken out of the game of basketball," said two-time reigning MVP LeBron James. "This game has always been built on emotion. And if we try to take that out of the game, the fans won't like it as much. And without the fans, there's no game."

Bosh could only smile after getting his technical. Charlotte's Stephen Jackson had an incredulous look on his face after he drew a technical moments earlier in the same game.

"We've all got to make adjustments," Jackson said. "I've just got to be smarter about what I say."

Technically, the rules aren't changing much. The way they're being enforced seems like the bigger change.

"I could understand if somebody was yelling, cursing, saying inappropriate things," Bosh said. "I wanted to talk about the call. And that was it."

Across the NBA, plenty of players seem to agree with James.

"I'm not surprised," Denver forward J.R. Smith said. "I mean, the refs are getting tired of us complaining. And sometimes, I think we do go a little too far."

The NBA players association plans legal action over the league's decision to issue more technical fouls for complaining.