I actually agree with the Amare and Diaw suspension

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

it seems like a stupid rule but Greg Anthony is right. in order to erase this image which is that NBA players are thugs, these suspensions will be made. it might ruin one playoff series but in the long run it will help the league by making sure these large scale, ugly brawls never happen again.

[FromWayDowntown]

it seems like a stupid rule but Greg Anthony is right. in order to erase this image which is that NBA players are thugs, these suspensions will be made. it might ruin one playoff series but in the long run it will help the league by making sure these large scale, ugly brawls never happen again.

You write that as though the Commissioner had some discretion to decide on a lesser punishment. The Commissioner could have decided that Amare and Diaw didn't break the rule, but it was quite evident that they did break the rule. Once it was clear that they had broken the rule, the league had no choice but to suspend them, since the rule itself specifically mandates a 1 game suspension for any player who violates the rule.

Anthony is right inasmuch as the rule was instituted at a time when the league had endured some memorable (probably in a bad way) brawls and needed to do something to clean up its image. But the suspensions in any case arising under the rule aren't discretionary. This wasn't about cleaning up an image -- it was about applying a clear rule to an obvious situation.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

oh, you "actually agree"? As if it takes a genius to figure out what the rule states.

And I don't care what anyone says about intent: amare was at a DEAD SPRINT to get on the court and he was running straight at Robert Horry.

stupis rule myyass.

[cornbread]

The rule works. Everybody else follows it. Amare needs to pay attention at the rules meetings.

[cheguevara]

there is a God :rolleyes