Suspensions Total 47 Games

[Kori Ellis]

Suspensions total 47 games from Knicks-Nuggets fight

ESPN.com


NEW YORK -- The Denver Nuggets were the bigger losers Monday after the NBA handed out penalties in the fight that broke out near the end of Saturday night's game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, the NBA's leading scorer, was suspended 15 games for sucker-punching the Knicks' Mardy Collins. Denver teammate J.R. Smith and New York's Nate Robinson also received the stiffest of penalties issued by the league -- 10-game suspensions.

Both franchises were fined $500,000 each.

Collins, whose hard foul of Smith was the tipping point to the fight, was suspended for six games. Knicks forward Jared Jeffries was suspended for four games, and New York's Jerome James and Denver's Nene were hit with one-game penalties for leaving their respective benches during an on-court altercation.

[VaSpursFan]

i was on the money with melo....15 games...what a dip...LOL

[Kermit]

good job midget. send a message that this crap will no longer be tolerated.

[Extra Stout]

...and as punishment for his role in instigating the fight, Isiah Thomas will be forced to coach the Knicks for the remainder of the season.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm surprised they gave him 15, because now he can go to arbitration.

I wonder if they are going to nail Isiah.

[VaSpursFan]

whoa....500k in fines for the knicks and nuggs...the dictator is not playing

[nkdlunch]

So is Melo gonna be out Allstar game too??? wow

[Duff McCartney]

Upon further review of that punch, Carmello hits like a bitch. He's a pussy as well...considering he threw that punch and ran like a bitch.

[Spurminator]

So the lesson here is that if you commit a Flagrant Foul, you can be suspended one game. Unless the player retaliates and his teammate punches you, in which case 5 games will be added to your suspension.

What a joke.

[timvp]

15 was too much for Carmelo. Keyon Dooling got 5 last year for a similar incident.

I expect it to go to arbitration and it get reduced to 10 or 11 games.

[Kori Ellis]

So the lesson here is that if you commit a Flagrant Foul, you can be suspended one game. Unless the player retaliates and his teammate punches you, in which case 5 games will be added to your suspension.

What a joke.

Or the lesson is, don't commit flagrant fouls two games in a row late in games just because your team is getting routed. I actually thought Collins should have got the second most games next to Carmelo.

[VaSpursFan]

I'm surprised they gave him 15, because now he can go to arbitration.

I wonder if they are going to nail Isiah.

melo will look stupid if he appeals. stern is a lawyer by trade if there wasn't truth beyond a reasonable doubt about isiah's involvement, he won't press the issue. i think that's the reason the teams were fined, sort of a catch all for the stuff that couldn't be proved.

[Spurologist]

Najara was hit with a T during the altercation. If Sternie didn't give him a suspension, why was he even given a T in the first place. Bavetta probably got T happy.

[Kermit]

So the lesson here is that if you commit a Flagrant Foul, you can be suspended one game. Unless the player retaliates and his teammate punches you, in which case 5 games will be added to your suspension.

What a joke.

he went after melo after the sucker-punch. is it fair, no. don't want to get sucker-punched, don't flagrantly foul someone.

[alamo50]

15 was too much for Carmelo. Keyon Dooling got 5 last year for a similar incident.

I expect it to go to arbitration and it get reduced to 10 or 11 games.

I hope it goes to arbritation and he will get 25 games.

[ducks]

collins should have gotten 15 games IMO

[Kori Ellis]

collins should have gotten 15 games IMO

Nobody should have got that many, IMO.

I thought Carmelo should get around 10-12 and Collins/Nate get around 7.

[ducks]

15 was too much for Carmelo. Keyon Dooling got 5 last year for a similar incident.

I expect it to go to arbitration and it get reduced to 10 or 11 games.

very true I posted that in the nba thread about this

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I love the NBA guy chastising the lady running the conference call.

[ducks]

who said melo would be gone for the season?

I said NO way because he is a mvp candiate

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

very true I posted that in the nba thread about this

But Collins should get 15?

[nkdlunch]

I said NO way because he is a mvp candiate

not anymore.


he won't even make it to the Allstar game.

[Spurminator]

Or the lesson is, don't commit flagrant fouls two games in a row late in games just because your team is getting routed. I actually thought Collins should have got the second most games next to Carmelo.

If that was part of the decision then that makes more sense. 6 games still seems too stiff, though. He wouldn't have gotten that if Smith/Robinson and Melo hadn't escalated it.

[ducks]

Last season, Orlando's Keyon Dooling was suspended five games without pay and Seattle's Ray Allen three for their fight, which also spilled into the crowd. Dooling threw a punch that did not connect.

[MoSpur]

Glad to hear Melo got the heaviest. I can't stand that wuss. He slapped the guy and then started heading back and even got spooked by Nate at mid-court. What a joke.

[Spurologist]

collins should have gotten 15 games IMO

If his foul didn't lead to the brawl, he would have got a ZERO GAME SUSPENSION.

[ducks]

not anymore.


he won't even make it to the Allstar game.


no kidding because the media is sucking james dick

even though melo is scoring more then james

[timvp]

Stern was no doubt going to come down hard. He's doing all he can to make the NBA more "marketable".

He's changed the dress code and upped the technicals. Now if he can find a way to ban cornrows, tattoos and rap music, he'll complete his vision.

[nkdlunch]

The Knicks punishment should be to have all players on the floor wear these for the rest of season: (especially the poodle nate robinson)

http://www.mightypets.com/Petsafe/images/SD400-FeaturedProduct.jpg

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Last season, Orlando's Keyon Dooling was suspended five games without pay and Seattle's Ray Allen three for their fight, which also spilled into the crowd. Dooling threw a punch that did not connect.

Carmelo Anthony - one of the NBA's future stars, escalated an already calming situation.

I think it gets reduced to 12 upon arbitration, but if Melo does not swing on Collins after the players were separated, his initial suspension is not 15 games.

[VaSpursFan]

Carmelo Anthony - one of the NBA's future stars, escalated an already calming situation.

I think it gets reduced to 12 upon arbitration, but if Melo does not swing on Collins after the players were separated, his initial suspension is not 15 games.


i agree. but i think the sucker punch drives this punishment and i think it'll hold up. they'll bring up the kermit washington/rudy t punch as evidence that sucker punches must be severely punished.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

i agree. but i think the sucker punch drives this punishment and i think it'll hold up. they'll bring up the kermit washington/rudy t punch as evidence that sucker punches must be severely punished.

I acknowledge your reasoning, I just don't believe the 15 will hold.

If it does, Stern just got past the new ball debacle.

[Darkwaters]

JR Smith should have been suspended for longer. Hes a punk and single-handedly caused that thing to spiral out of control.

[VaSpursFan]

I acknowledge your reasoning, I just don't believe the 15 will hold.

If it does, Stern just got past the new ball debacle.


from a pr standpoint, if i was melo, i wouldn't appeal. he's got a whole lot to do to clean up his image now. it just reinforces the thug image. but then again, what about the precedent it sets. talk about a difficult situation for his handlers

[Spurminator]

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9059/brawlwe1.jpg

[ponky]

wow, so much hatred for melo. really wgaf? anyway, i'd like to read the insider article titled "isaiah's a little punk" please post if you have it, thanks!

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Lessons for kids -

1. Feel free to punch fans as well as players, you'll get 15 games either way.

2. Don;t be remorseful coz that wont help, instead you should gloat about what happened

3. If you live in New York then the NBA will go lightly on you

4. Listen to your coach at all times, even if it means trying to break someones neck

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

glad melo will have to wait at least one more season to be all-star.

this will probably hurt the nuggets enough for them not to make playoffs as well

good stuff dipshit.


i hope ur friends never have to rely on u in a fight, panzy

[MoSpur]

Lessons for kids -

1. Feel free to punch fans as well as players, you'll get 15 games either way.

2. Don;t be remorseful coz that wont help, instead you should gloat about what happened

3. If you live in New York then the NBA will go lightly on you

4. Listen to your coach at all times, even if it means trying to break someones neck

I don't the NBA is done. I think they just handed out the suspensions because both teams play tonight and they needed to be handed out today. I think Thomas will get his too. I'm not sure though.

I think Melo made it worse. If he doesn't sucker slap the guy, the whole situation would have been done with.

[ponky]

one thing about this whole incident, it blows my mind how many posters have never been in a fight, especially a sports-related fight.

[baseline bum]

I'm glad to see the NBA came down hard, but Nate Robinson should have gotten the worst penalty. He's the one who made it spiral out of control.

[Kori Ellis]

.., i'd like to read the insider article titled "isaiah's a little punk" please post if you have it, thanks!

That's just a link to this article.

Knicks becoming the new 'Bad Boys'

Monday, December 18, 2006

By STEVE ADAMEK
STAFF WRITER

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMjcmZmdi ZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwNDAzMTkmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZU VFeXk2

If Isiah Thomas and his team are keeping score, Saturday night's brouhaha with the Nuggets that's certain to produce significant suspensions and fines before the two teams' games tonight ran the Knicks' bad-blood tab to four opponents in less than two months.

Twenty-five more teams to go, a cynic might say.

Call them separate matters, but at least four incidents involving the Knicks since the end of the preseason suggest to some in the NBA that Thomas still harbors some of what he and his "Bad Boy" Pistons teammates wore as a badge of honor during their two championship runs.

"He's still a little punk," one assistant coach said recently.

Thomas insists (albeit in the context of playing on the road) that he doesn't believe in instilling an "us against them" mentality into his team.

Yet, the following episodes over the past seven-plus weeks certainly boiled some bad blood:

Oct. 27: During the Nets' 138-121 victory in the cross-Hudson rivals' final preseason game, Steve Francis tries to go after Mikki Moore after a hard foul by the Nets' big man with 16.1 seconds left, Eddy Curry confronts Nenad Krstic after Quentin Richardson fouls the Nets' center and Nets coach Lawrence Frank turns away as Thomas approaches him after the final buzzer.

Scouting report: The NBA's Cinderella team arrives after Sunday's win in Toronto that left it 6-5 since a 12-1 start. Second-year point guard Deron Williams has been likened to Jason Kidd with a shot and after two injury-riddled seasons, forward Carlos Boozer is averaging a double-double.

Nov. 4: Believing the Pacers over-celebrated their 109-95 victory in the Knicks' home opener, Thomas says, "We'll have a long memory and one day we'll be the team that's on top doing the kicking and the stepping."

Perhaps that explains the late-game flagrant foul laid on Pacers' bench-warmer Maceo Baston three days ago in Indiana by ... Knicks' rookie Mardy Collins, whose flagrant foul of J.R. Smith ignited Saturday's brawl.

Nov. 11: Thomas has to be kept from going after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich in San Antonio when Popovich takes exception to Thomas shouting at his players to "break [Bruce Bowen's] foot." Thomas blamed the Spurs' forward for causing Francis' sprained ankle by undercutting the Knicks' guard five days earlier in New York.

Saturday: Collins throws down Smith as the Nuggets' guard attempts a breakaway dunk with Denver up 19 and 1:15 to play. Four players (including Carmelo Anthony) throw punches and Jared Jeffries has to be restrained from going after the Denver star in a brawl that begins near Knicks owner James L. Dolan's baseline seat and spills into the crowd before traveling almost the length of the floor.

"Clearly this isn't how we or the NBA or anybody wants to be perceived," Thomas said.

Clearly, NBA commissioner David Stern and disciplinary vice president Stu Jackson will come down hard on those involved in the aftermath of 2004's "Malice at the Palace" between Indiana and Detroit (which Stern, two days later at the Garden, called an "unprecedented fiasco.")

Anthony, Collins, Smith and Nate Robinson face automatic suspensions for throwing punches.

The six other players on the floor who were ejected after the incident could be fined, if not suspended, as could anyone from either bench who took even one step onto the floor (also an automatic suspension).

Multiple-game suspensions are possible for Anthony (for the haymaker he threw as Collins was being held), Robinson (who jumped between Collins and Smith, and pushed the fight into the stands) and Jeffries (for chasing Anthony).

Thomas could earn a suspension after his reported suggestion to Anthony that Collins' foul was pre-conceived. Robinson indicated as much when he said, "I knew a foul was going to come, a hard one, because we're not going to let guys keep dunking and keep dunking when they're up 20 and they've got their starters in."

It isn't beyond the realm of possibility, as happened after the Knicks-Heat Game 5 fracas during the 1997 playoffs, that so many players will be suspended, the sit-downs may have to be staggered alphabetically (by league rule) so the Knicks and Nuggets can dress enough players for subsequent games (the NBA minimum is eight).

A league spokesman said Sunday the matter was under review and that it would "basically take a day to get through everything."

The Knicks, meanwhile, didn't practice Sunday for tonight's game against 18-6 Utah. That prevented anyone from verbally fanning the flames of what they called a bonding incident Saturday because of the way teammates came to the defense of each other.

Yet by bonding internally, the Knicks could further fracture a season already approaching the brink of failure at 9-17.

"We're going to keep pushing forward," Jeffries said.

For at least four teams, that seems to mean pushing a little too hard.

E-mail: [email protected]

[JamStone]

Carmelo's idea of protecting his friends (what his friends can rely on him for):

Wait til after the fight is basically over. And, when one of the guys who's fighting with your friends is either being restrained or not looking, smack him in the face and back pedal as far as you can go while pretending to be tough.

I hope your friends are not like Carmelo, because you'll get your ass beat in a fight.

[boutons_]

"if i was melo, i wouldn't appeal"

His $$lawyer will convince him to $$appeal.

Melo doesn't have the maturity to shut up and take it like man.
He'll squeal and whine like wounded bitch for an appeal,
to keep his bling-bling budget topped up.

These suspensions cost each player what in $$$?

Are the costs of the suspensions tax deductible? :)

[ponky]

I don't the NBA is done. I think they just handed out the suspensions because both teams play tonight and they needed to be handed out today. I think Thomas will get his too. I'm not sure though.

I think Melo made it worse. If he doesn't sucker slap the guy, the whole situation would have been done with.


Really? What about Nate Robinson? I can understand a one on one thing, it happens all the time but when a second guy jumps in, then things escalate and this could have been over had Nate Robinson put his elephant balls in check and acted mature.

[MoSpur]

one thing about this whole incident, it blows my mind how many posters have never been in a fight, especially a sports-related fight.

Its not that. The posters on this forum dont get paid millions to play ball.

[MoSpur]

Really? What about Nate Robinson? I can understand a one on one thing, it happens all the time but when a second guy jumps in, then things escalate and this could have been over had Nate Robinson put his elephant balls in check and acted mature.

Nate was fired up. However, if you look at the video, it shows JR Smith uppercutting Nate and then that's when Nate took him down in the front row.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm glad the NBA had a brawl, or it would have been a long few days between Spurs games :drunk

[VaSpursFan]

I'm glad the NBA had a brawl, or it would have been a long few days between Spurs games :drunk

:lol :lol :lol :lol :downspin: :downspin: :downspin:

i agree...more, more :hungry: :hungry:

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Henry Abbott's brief reaction:



The Suspensions

David Stern went out of his way, it would seem, to acknowledge Isiah Thomas's role in this, by saying “Teams will be held accountable for the actions of their employees--management and players alike."

But then he didn't punish Thomas specifically, which would have been some really bad PR, I guess. Instead Stern fined the Nuggets and Knicks identically--$500,000 each. I'd be interested to hear what the two teams were fined for specifically. They're not really fining the Nuggets for playing starters, are they? I bet the tams, especially the Nuggets, are either extremely pissed off--or have a quiet understanding that they'll be refunded some or all of that money.

Here are the rest of the suspensions.

* The Knicks and Nuggets organizations have each been fined $500,000 each as a result of the altercation.
* Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has been suspended for 15 games.
* Knicks guard Nate Robinson has been suspended for 10 games.
* Nuggets guard J.R. Smith has been suspended for 10 games.
* Knicks guard Mardy Collins has been suspended for six games.
* Knicks forward Jared Jeffries has been suspended for four games.
* Knicks center Jerome James has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.
* Nuggets forward Nene has been suspended one game for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation.

Six games seems harsh for a hard foul for Mardy Collins. Everyone else's seems about right to me, given that you can round up 50% for brawling post Auburn Hills. (If the Nuggets can make the playoffs, they should be a little fresher and more motivated than everyone else once they get there.)


http://www.truehoop.com

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

The only thing I am sad about is that I had him on my fantasy team, and now I have to dump his ass for Caron Butler.

Caron's no slouch.

[MoSpur]

Does anyone know who got the footage of Thomas warning Melo about going to the basket? Was it some local station? I hope the league does something to Thomas besides fining him. He hasn't changed from his Bad Boys days in Detroit. JR Smith could have gotten really hurt.

[picnroll]

I'm pretty sure anyone that goes to Hell automatically becomes a Knick fan.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Does anyone know who got the footage of Thomas warning Melo about going to the basket? Was it some local station? I hope the league does something to Thomas besides fining him. He hasn't changed from his Bad Boys days in Detroit. JR Smith could have gotten really hurt.

MSG.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

nuggets will still make the playoffs. ur kidding urself if u think they wont

AI will be in denver soon. Melo will get his suspension cut to 10 games. The nuggets still have a good team without melo and jr. Its been done many times b4, the nuggets have dealt with injuries to many key players (melo included)

[PM5K]

I probably would appeal it, he should have gotten twelve, and as quickly as the seaon is played, fifteen games is a week at most longer, it's just not worth the trouble to get the suspension lowered a few games....

[MosesGuthrie]

I think the Nuggets will still make the playoffs...it will be tough but still very possible.


What cracks me up is that there are actually people that think some of those involved in this embarrassment were in the right. :nope

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

15 games is too long, there is no way anyone can justify it. Look at EVERY past brawl and fight and its easy to see that Sterns hate for Melo is obvious.

[ponky]

nuggets will still make the playoffs. ur kidding urself if u think they wont

AI will be in denver soon. Melo will get his suspension cut to 10 games. The nuggets still have a good team without melo and jr. Its been done many times b4, the nuggets have dealt with injuries to many key players (melo included)


you guys have a tough schedule coming up meeting the spurs, mavs, rockets, lakers and cavs but i'd say nuggets come out with 5-6 wins out of the fifteen and when 'melo gets back you shoud be fine and good to go to rack up some wins in the latter half of january

[picnroll]

nuggets will still make the playoffs. ur kidding urself if u think they wont

AI will be in denver soon. Melo will get his suspension cut to 10 games. The nuggets still have a good team without melo and jr. Its been done many times b4, the nuggets have dealt with injuries to many key players (melo included)
Assuming Melo doesn't get any games knocked off the suspension how many you figure Denver will win?

Washington
Phoenix
Seattle
NOK
Dallas
Philadelphia
LAL
Utah
Milwaukee
San ANtonio
Houton
Portland
Cleveland
Houston
Memphis

I say they losse every game they don't have Melo or Smith and at best then beat Portland and Memphis, at best. That's 2 - 13 if they get lucky.

[MosesGuthrie]

I think Blaze and Kori are right....this will get reduced in arbitration.

Maybe someone could explain that to me.....what is the purpose of the commish giving out punishment if it can be changed?

[TDMVPDPOY]

15 game aint much seriously for the nuggets, i believe once everyone comes back they could still be in the running for the playoffs unlike the knicks, enjoy the lottery pick, wait that pick belongs to the bulls hahahaha

anyway it was very lenient the ruling......

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

15 was too much for Carmelo. Keyon Dooling got 5 last year for a similar incident.

I expect it to go to arbitration and it get reduced to 10 or 11 games.

Dooling didn't land a punch. He also didn't run back in and escalate a situation after things appeared to have cooled off with a sucker punch.

'Melo's got no case.

[ponky]

lmfao, haha, this is on the front page of cnn.com as the headliner

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

15 games is too long, there is no way anyone can justify it. Look at EVERY past brawl and fight and its easy to see that Sterns hate for Melo is obvious.

After Auburn Hills, you can't argue that point at all.

Further, Carmelo ran back in when the fight was all but over and escalated it with the sucker punch.

If Stern hated Melo as you ignorantly insist, he wouldn't have been spun as the future of USA basketball after the worlds this summer.

Face it, your team superstar is a supermoron.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Assuming Melo doesn't get any games knocked off the suspension how many you figure Denver will win?

Washington - W
Phoenix - L
Seattle - W
NOK - W
Dallas - L
Philadelphia -W
LAL - L
Utah - L
Milwaukee - W
San ANtonio - L
Houton - L
Portland - W
Cleveland - W
Houston - L
Memphis - W

I say they losse every game they don't have Melo or Smith and at best then beat Portland and Memphis, at best. That's 2 - 13 if they get lucky.

Majority of them are at home which may help a little. 8-7 they could go. Thats being a little optimistic but if AI is in town then it could be done easily.

Like i said, the Nuggets have been used to playing without key guys alot and it doesnt phase them

[MosesGuthrie]

15 games is too long, there is no way anyone can justify it. Look at EVERY past brawl and fight and its easy to see that Sterns hate for Melo is obvious.

almost as obvious as your homerism.

A big part of the punishment is BECAUSE there have been past brawls. Players should be smart enough to learn from past embarassments and mistakes. Obviously, some aren't.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

After Auburn Hills, you can't argue that point at all.

Further, Carmelo ran back in when the fight was all but over and escalated it with the sucker punch.

If Stern hated Melo as you ignorantly insist, he wouldn't have been spun as the future of USA basketball after the worlds this summer.

Face it, your team superstar is a supermoron.

yeh coz u know him so well, gimme a break. You do enough to annoy your own teams fans, dont annoy me too

[lurker]

Yeah, he deserves 15 for running away like a little bitch afterwards.

[MosesGuthrie]

yeh coz u know him so well, gimme a break

not like you right? :rolleyes

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

ahhh whats the point. I know some Spurs fans are among the most bitter in the NBA, they think their players are angels and perfect :drunk

Its all nice to sit in front of ur pc and bag players coz u think u know better. Im sure they dont give a lick what you (or i) think anyway

Melo doesnt deserve 15 games and Stern is a tyrant.

[VaSpursFan]

15 games is too long, there is no way anyone can justify it. Look at EVERY past brawl and fight and its easy to see that Sterns hate for Melo is obvious.

stern doesn't hate melo as far as i can tell. judging by his reaction he may hate sucker punches that escalate situations.

[MosesGuthrie]

ok...what does Melo deserve? A slap on the wrist? A time-out? C'mon genius, don't pull a melo and run like a little bitch...answer the question.

[MosesGuthrie]

Its all nice to sit in front of ur pc and bag players coz u think u know better. Im sure they dont give a lick what you (or i) think anyway

but its ok for you to do it.


Double standard anyone?

[MosesGuthrie]

Oh and you still haven't answered the question.


pussy.

[MosesGuthrie]

no answer yet...hmmm...

[MosesGuthrie]

ahhh whats the point. I know some Spurs fans are among the most bitter in the NBA, they think their players are angels and perfect

not angels and not perfect...just not stupid.

[PM5K]

I think it's pretty obvious that Carmelos suspension should be in line with similar incidents in the past, and using that as a baseline it's a little high, I think eight games is more reasonable but Stern would have been smart to make the suspension up to the maximum allowed before arbitration, which I believe is twelve...

[MosesGuthrie]

I think if there hadn't been the incident at the Palace, the suspensions would be lighter but Stern warned everyone that he would drop the hammer like this if it happened again. Guess some just didn't listen.

[MoSpur]

ahhh whats the point. I know some Spurs fans are among the most bitter in the NBA, they think their players are angels and perfect :drunk

Its all nice to sit in front of ur pc and bag players coz u think u know better. Im sure they dont give a lick what you (or i) think anyway

Melo doesnt deserve 15 games and Stern is a tyrant.

Its not that, but it seems just because of what happened two years ago in the Palace. It was one punch, but that punch started it all over again. The fire was being put out and Melo rekindled that fire. I think that's why it was 15.

It should have been more because he slapped the guy and ran like a girl.

[MosesGuthrie]

Its not that, but it seems just because of what happened two years ago in the Palace. It was one punch, but that punch started it all over again. The fire was being put out and Melo rekindled that fire. I think that's why it was 15.

Nuggets fan conviently forgot that part.

[PM5K]

I just don't see what this has to do with what happened in Detroit.

This was your run of the mill fight, Carmelo wasn't involved with anything that happened in Detroit, those players in Detroit did receive suspensions that matched the unique level of chaos that ensued.

Bottom line:

The situation in Detroit was unprecedented and so were the punishments, the situation with Carmelo really wasn't unprecedented and his punishment was a little on the high side...

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Lessons for kids -

1. Feel free to punch fans as well as players, you'll get 15 games either way.

2. Don;t be remorseful coz that wont help, instead you should gloat about what happened

3. If you live in New York then the NBA will go lightly on you

4. Listen to your coach at all times, even if it means trying to break someones neckare you seriously complaining about that flagrant after what Carmelo did to Manu two seasons ago?? Get the fuck out of here! Melo got what he deserved.

[MosesGuthrie]

It has to do with the fact that Stern let everyone know that incidents like this (this one was not as bad but it was similar) were not to be tolerated. You knew that the next time he was going to go overboard to try and send a message. Fair? Maybe not but it was to be expected.

[PM5K]

It has to do with the fact that Stern let everyone know that incidents like this (this one was not as bad but it was similar) were not to be tolerated. You knew that the next time he was going to go overboard to try and send a message. Fair? Maybe not but it was to be expected.

It wasn't as bad, it wasn't even similar in any way whatsoever, spectators got assaulted, players entered the stands, and not coincidentally or unintentionally, they physically went up the stairs and attacked fans, it's so not even fucking close that it's not even funny.

Run of the mill fight that happens from time to time, I can think of tons of fights worse than this one...

[PM5K]

God Moses, you talk all of that shit and when someone brings a response to you you say stupid shit like this was similar?

FUCKING WEAK....

[CubanMustGo]

So Stern doesn't want the NBA to be the NHL. Deal with it.

[MosesGuthrie]

the fighting on the court was very similar, you are right though, the spilling into the stands made Detroit much worse.

Run of the mill fights? How often to brawls involving this many players happen? The message that is trying to be sent is that NO fighting, however minor or major, should happen. Like I said, was it fair? Probably not but its been done and if anything remotely like this happens again whether its one on one or a bench-clearer, the punishments will be harsher.

[MosesGuthrie]

God Moses, you talk all of that shit and when someone brings a response to you you say stupid shit like this was similar?

FUCKING WEAK....

What was I supposed to say?

[Spurminator]

It wasn't as bad, it wasn't even similar in any way whatsoever, spectators got assaulted, players entered the stands, and not coincidentally or unintentionally, they physically went up the stairs and attacked fans, it's so not even fucking close that it's not even funny.


Oh it's very similar. In both instances you had young black millionaires fighting each other, and video of the incident on repeat ad nauseum.

We can't have that in the NBA.

[PM5K]

What was I supposed to say?

Well you call people pussies and post repeatedly for someone to respond and when someone does you say something so absurd as that the situations were similar, which couldn't be further from the truth, just a little weak of an argument for someone calling people out.

;-)

[MosesGuthrie]

not similar, in your opinion, that doesn't make it fact.

So....because you disagree with me, I am weak?

We were having a difference of opinion...happens all the time, what's the big deal?

That guy was a pussy because he wouldn't answer me....you did and I answered back....again, how does that make me weak?

[ObiwanGinobili]

I hope it goes to arbritation and he will get 25 games.


amen.

another NBA fight. good grief. :pctoss

[boutons_]

"Carmelos suspension should be in line with similar incidents in the past"

Stern is sending a msg, these incidents are not to be routine,
not to be an unending series,
not to be compared to past incidents and penalties as a baseline to be "fair" across incidents.

Escalating the penalties per inicdent without being limited by precedent is one way to pound the msg home to these dumbfuck, overpaid, prima donna, balla bitches.

[PM5K]

MosesGuthrie is a pussy and if I saw him at a game I go into the stands after him.

L O L

[MosesGuthrie]

MosesGuthrie is a pussy and if I saw him at a game I go into the stands after him.

fine with me... :ihit

:)

[MosesGuthrie]

Just let me put my beer down first....that shit is expensive.

[xamila rey]

are you seriously complaining about that flagrant after what Carmelo did to Manu two seasons ago?? Get the fuck out of here! Melo got what he deserved.

i almost forgot about it.
hopefully the denver nuggets learn the lesson this time.
(when we play against them they foul too hard sometimes)

[MosesGuthrie]

When its 7 bucks for a beer...damn right im cheap!

[MosesGuthrie]

Do NBA suspensions work like MLB suspensions where a player can still play if the suspension is under appeal?

[timvp]

Dooling didn't land a punch. He also didn't run back in and escalate a situation after things appeared to have cooled off with a sucker punch.

'Melo's got no case.

Yeah he did. He went after Ray Allen again in the hallway after they had both been ejected.

Carmelo's actions were worse, but not three times worse.

[timvp]

Do NBA suspensions work like MLB suspensions where a player can still play if the suspension is under appeal?

No.

[boutons_]

"not three times worse."

GMAFB. Stern isn't trying to be "fair" or prorportional vis-a-vis previous incidents.
Obviously, the Auburn Palace lessons haven't sunk in.
Maybe these ballas shoulda stayed in school longer.

[nkdlunch]

"not three times worse."

GMAFB. Stern isn't trying to be "fair" or prorportional vis-a-vis previous incidents.
Obviously, the Auburn Palace lessons haven't sunk in.
Maybe these ballas shoulda stayed in school longer.

what the fuck does school got to do w/it??

[Kori Ellis]

"not three times worse."

GMAFB. Stern isn't trying to be "fair" or prorportional vis-a-vis previous incidents.
Obviously, the Auburn Palace lessons haven't sunk in.
Maybe these ballas shoulda stayed in school longer.

:lol Nate Robinson and Mardy Collins stayed in school 3 years, I don't think the fourth year would have changed things.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Is it possible that Stern is trying to "have his cake and eat it too" with the Carmelo suspension? He's the only 'superstar' in this whole mix and he was the only handed a suspension that could be put up for appeal. Thug or not, Carmelo is popular and every game he misses costs $$$ for the league. With arbitration it seems like his suspension could get talked down under 12 games. Stern gets to look like the tough guy willing to give the biggest star in this ordeal the biggest suspension, the players union gets to flex its muscles by possibly shaving a few games off the suspension, and the league gets its leading scorer back on the floor sooner than advertised.

Just a thought.

[nkdlunch]

Stern was pissed cause of his "new Ball" bullshit. He's just taking it out on these punks. WGAF

[nkdlunch]

two questions, I don't that has been asked are...

Would 2003 draft peers James or Wade thrown a cheap shot like Melo did?

Does this set make Melo from these two, after Melo's strong season thus far?

I'd bet $ they wouldn't

[timvp]

"not three times worse."

GMAFB. Stern isn't trying to be "fair" or prorportional vis-a-vis previous incidents.
Obviously, the Auburn Palace lessons haven't sunk in.


Uh the Dooling incident was last year.

[boutons_]

From what I've seen from LBJ and Wade, I have hard time imagining them getting into fights.

Plus, I think their current coaches have pre-empted fighting by their coaching styles.

Karl and Isiah are punks, they don't run class organizations.

[Horry For 3!]

Ouch, If it stays 15 for Carmelo and 10 for J.R., the Nuggets are goin to suck for a whole month.

[Tek_XX]

Live by the hood rat, die by the hood rat

I'm so glad the Spurs are punk free.

[PM5K]

Live by the hood rat, die by the hood rat

I'm so glad the Spurs are punk free.

I don't know man, I wouldn't want to see one of our Spurs get his ass clocked and have everyone else stand around twiddling their thumbs, every team at least needs one...

[MosesGuthrie]

Thanks timvp.

I may have missed it...do the suspensions start right away?

[Tek_XX]

Isiah is one fake piece of crap.

[Tek_XX]

I don't know man, I wouldn't want to see one of our Spurs get his ass clocked and have everyone else stand around twiddling their thumbs, every team at least needs one...

They're professionals and good guys, yes you might want them to start a huge brawl over small shit but they're not gonna do it.

[FromWayDowntown]

I think Carmelo's re-instigation and the fact that he landed a punch are all factors that make his situation significantly different than the Dooling/Allen fight. It's not as if Carmelo just stood by doing nothing after the initial foul, either. He was in the middle of the initial melee, was pushed back and restrained as things cooled, and then made the affirmative decision to re-enter and land a sucker punch on Collins.

I don't, however, think that the 15 games will stand because it is unprecedented. The NBAPA fought long and hard in the last CBA to get some ability to appeal the commissioner's penalties for on-court conduct, because they really didn't have that ability under the previous CBA. The 12-game compromise makes sense to me; 12 games is a significant portion of the season (almost 15% of an 82 game schedule) and allows the Commissioner to dole out very harsh penalties without any realistic chance for appeal to a neutral.

As someone else explained, I suspect that Stern, in this case, is trying to send a message knowing that Anthony's suspension will eventually be reduced to a degree.

I also think that Carmelo's suspension has a game or two tacked on because he's a superstar-level player who is a face of the league. Stern, I'm sure, wants to be sure that everyone is on notice that superstars won't get preferrential treatment and might actually be held to a higher standard than other players in some cases.

The Palace showdown was different, to be sure. But, there also can't be much doubt that what went down in Detroit that night forever changed the way that this commissioner is going to look at on-court behavior and punish those who go astray. Had there never been a melee in Detroit, the suspensions in this case would likely not be as harsh; but the players live in the shadow of what went down that night and they have to know that on-court fighting is going to be punished fairly severely from here on out. I don't really think there's any problem with creating that sort of deterrent effect.

I don't understand how anyone can think that Carmelo Anthony isn't responsible for his actions; I don't understand how anyone can think that contrition on the day after should have had any bearing on the extent of his punishment. If he wanted to limit his suspension, he should have walked back to his team's bench when the fight initially cooled down. He didn't do that and saying "I'm sorry" on Sunday morning and apologizing to the whole world doesn't make one bit of difference in that equation.

[tlongII]

Melo's suspension should be 5 games max. This punishment is ridiculous.

[timvp]

Live by the hood rat, die by the hood rat

I'm so glad the Spurs are punk free.

The Spurs have won championships with some of the meanest enforcers of the last decade. Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis and Tony Massenburg didn't exactly back down from fights. Players like Will Perdue, Mario Elie and Glenn Robinson would have been ready to throw down.

The Spurs win championships because they are good at basketball. Not because they are good citizens or whatever.

[SilverPlayer]

Seriously what does Isiah have on the commissioner that he can get away with being such a loser and still be in this league?

I appreciate his Detroit lead teams but the guy has been nothing but a blight to anything he has touched afterwards. He should be in charge of a teams draft picks but nothing else. The guy needs to take a seat.

[PM5K]

The Spurs have won championships with some of the meanest enforcers of the last decade. Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis and Tony Massenburg didn't exactly back down from fights. Players like Will Perdue, Mario Elie and Glenn Robinson would have been ready to throw down.

The Spurs win championships because they are good at basketball. Not because they are good citizens or whatever.

I agree, you gotta have at least one...

Of course I don't think Pop has ever said anything to his players that I'm sure Isiah has....

[MosesGuthrie]

The Spurs have won championships with some of the meanest enforcers of the last decade. Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis and Tony Massenburg didn't exactly back down from fights. Players like Will Perdue, Mario Elie and Glenn Robinson would have been ready to throw down.

The Spurs win championships because they are good at basketball. Not because they are good citizens or whatever.

Good point. Those guys mentioned would take care of their own but not to where it would have cost the team like suspensions do. They were mean, but smart.

[MosesGuthrie]

I agree, you gotta have at least one...

Of course I don't think Pop has ever said anything to his players that I'm sure Isiah has....

agreed

[timvp]

The Spurs have won championships with some of the meanest enforcers of the last decade. Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis and Tony Massenburg didn't exactly back down from fights. Players like Will Perdue, Mario Elie and Glenn Robinson would have been ready to throw down.

The Spurs win championships because they are good at basketball. Not because they are good citizens or whatever.

In addition to that, JR Smith would be a Spur right now if that trade didn't fall through. And if there was any way on earth Carmelo could come to San Antonio, Pop would give up his first born to get him.

[MosesGuthrie]

I would like to see something happen to Isiah though. He is getting off scot free.

Then again, maybe the commish figures coaching the Knicks is punishment enough.

[MosesGuthrie]

Pop would have also taken Sprewell at one point.

[Kori Ellis]

I would like to see something happen to Isiah though. He is getting off scot free.

Then again, maybe the commish figures coaching the Knicks is punishment enough.

I understand they haven't concluded their investigation of Isiah, so just because his suspension hasn't been announced doesn't mean they aren't going to do anything. We'll see.

[PM5K]

In addition to that, JR Smith would be a Spur right now if that trade didn't fall through. And if there was any way on earth Carmelo could come to San Antonio, Pop would give up his first born to get him.

Let's not forget Stephen Jackson, Derrick Anderson is a little thugish too....

[FromWayDowntown]

Good point. Those guys mentioned would take care of their own but not to where it would have cost the team like suspensions do. They were mean, but smart.

Willis did take a really bad Flagrant 2 on Scott Williams in Game 1 of the Spurs series with Phoenix and was suspended for Game 2, IIRC

[PM5K]

I understand they haven't concluded their investigation of Isiah, so just because his suspension hasn't been announced doesn't mean they aren't going to do anything. We'll see.

Now THAT would be unprecedented, or I have a damn bad memory...

[MosesGuthrie]

I understand they haven't concluded their investigation of Isiah, so just because his suspension hasn't been announced doesn't mean they aren't going to do anything. We'll see.

excellent.

[tlongII]

The Spurs have won championships with some of the meanest enforcers of the last decade. Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis and Tony Massenburg didn't exactly back down from fights. Players like Will Perdue, Mario Elie and Glenn Robinson would have been ready to throw down.

The Spurs win championships because they are good at basketball. Not because they are good citizens or whatever.

Jerome used to throw down with Xavier McDaniel every time we played the Sonics.

[Spurminator]

Isiah's got to be close to losing his job...

[timvp]

Good point. Those guys mentioned would take care of their own but not to where it would have cost the team like suspensions do. They were mean, but smart.


Kevin Willis was suspended without pay for one game


Sam Mitchell of Minnesota Timberwolves is fined $10,000 and Kevin Willis of Houston Rockets is fined $7,500 by the NBA for fighting during 96-84 Houston playoff victory. Both were also suspended one game.


Mario Elie (Hou) and Kevin
Willis (Hou) were fined $2,500 and suspended for 1 game


The Atlanta Hawks have indefinitely suspended Kevin Willis


New York Knicks forward Clarence Weatherspoon and San Antonio Spurs forward Kevin Willis were suspended for one game without pay by the NBA for fighting.


San Antonio reserve center Kevin Willis was suspended by the NBA for one game without pay Sunday after he elbowed Scott Williams in the throat in the Spurs' playoff opener against Phoenix.

:santahat

[MosesGuthrie]

Point taken, my friend :)

still....those suspensions did not have nearly the effect on the Spurs that Melo's could for Denver.

[SequSpur]

Carmelo got 15 games for a weak ass haymaker!

:lol

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Carmelo got 15 games for a weak ass haymaker!

:lol

There should be a re-enactment of the "brawl" at Kori's party.

We already have a Nate Robinson.

[SequSpur]

:lol

[SequSpur]

where did timvp's responses go?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

What the Spurs are really known for is managing to keep a leash on some of the major loose cannons in the league. Rod Strickland, Vernon Maxwell, Rodman, and any number of the guys listed above had some of their least checkered years here.

[timvp]

where did timvp's responses go?

timvp didn't want to get suspended 15 nights. :hat

[SequSpur]

;)


timvp didn't want to get suspended 15 nights. :hat

[timvp]

As far as Isiah Thomas goes, it'd be tough to suspend him. You punish Thomas and then that'd set the stage for every coach in the league to be suspended when they say to not allow layups or to foul hard.

[Supergirl]

I'm surprised they gave him 15, because now he can go to arbitration.

I wonder if they are going to nail Isiah.

I don't understand. What's the deal?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I don't understand.

About Isiah or the arbitration?

[ShoogarBear]

When are they going to suspend the guy who designed the Wiz's two-toned road unis?

Talk about flagrant . . .

[MosesGuthrie]

:lmao

[ducks]

If his foul didn't lead to the brawl, he would have got a ZERO GAME SUSPENSION.

he should have got atleast 2 games if no brawl he did not make a play on the ball

[JamStone]

Majority of them are at home which may help a little. 8-7 they could go. Thats being a little optimistic but if AI is in town then it could be done easily.

Like i said, the Nuggets have been used to playing without key guys alot and it doesnt phase them


If the Nuggets go 5-10 during that 15 game stretch, I think Nuggets fans and the team itself should consider that acceptable, all things considered. Only Philly, Boston, and maybe Seattle look like probably wins. The rest look like losses. They might be able to slip by Milwaukee and maybe either Portland (they are actually a decent team) and/or Cleveland. But, that's about it. The other teams SHOULD beat Denver, regardless of whether it's home or away.

[ShoogarBear]

Good thing NYK @ Denver has already been played.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Good thing NYK @ Denver has already been played.

:depressed im actually annoyed it already has been.

I would love to see the reaction that Thomas and his wenches got from the crowd

[Hook Dem]

Well, the only thing left unanswered is where the next brawl is going to occur! You can bet these players haven't learned anything!

[Cherry]

ahhh whats the point. I know some Spurs fans are among the most bitter in the NBA, they think their players are angels and perfect :drunk


Popovich felt no need to speak to his players about keeping their heads in heated situations.

"Anything can happen at any time, I guess, but it's not something that I talk to the team about very much, if ever," he said. "We're normal people, just like anybody else. We like to think we can handle ourselves with some modicum of maturity.

"Having said that, things happen in everybody's life that will make you act a little bit out of the ordinary at times. We just hope it's not us."

[ShoogarBear]

CBS Sportsline's Fantasy advice: Melo Out!

[ChumpDumper]

I guess it's kind of moot, but why do Karl and Zeke keep getting jobs in the NBA?

[MosesGuthrie]

I guess it's kind of moot, but why do Karl and Zeke keep getting jobs in the NBA?

because of who they are and not what they are.

[ducks]

why does larry brown?

[MosesGuthrie]

same reason

[picnroll]

If the Nuggets go 5-10 during that 15 game stretch, I think Nuggets fans and the team itself should consider that acceptable, all things considered. Only Philly, Boston, and maybe Seattle look like probably wins. The rest look like losses. They might be able to slip by Milwaukee and maybe either Portland (they are actually a decent team) and/or Cleveland. But, that's about it. The other teams SHOULD beat Denver, regardless of whether it's home or away.
For the first ten gmes Nuggets will lose 48 points of offense in Melo and Smith. Who from the bench is goig to step in and score? They have zero outside shooting. Every will pack and zone. They are sooooo screwed.

[ChumpDumper]

why does larry brown?Well, he actually won a couple of things.

[ducks]

he did? oh yes when dumars bailed him out and traded for sheed at the allstar break

he also now is helping king with the ai trade
and you can tell because it is draging on and on because ai and larry did not get along

[ChumpDumper]

:lol

So shouldn't Brown have two rings and Flip Saunders one ring now?

[ducks]

larry lost sheed during preason
larry was ok with the honeymoon tell the playoffs with sheed but lost him after that
flip can not coach d and lost ben's respect

[ponky]

doesn't seem to be hurting them tonight, check the scoreboards

[ShoogarBear]

Eh, Karl has managed something that neither Don Nelson nor Flip Saunders has: gone to the Finals.

[ducks]

don has not made it to the finals has he
oh and the suns coach as not either