Suspend MWP for the playoffs...

[SenorSpur]

There's no doubt that elbow by Artest was intentional. He was completely guilty no matter how he tries to explain it away. In fact, he gave away his actions by: 1. ing his elbow back and following through on the blow. 2. After delivering the blow, he didn't even bother to see if the guy was alright.

Then to top off the brutal shot, Artest assumes to boxers stance and bows up toward any incoming Thunder player that even appeared to be headed in his direction.

Several years removed from the Malace and the Palace, it appeared that Artest had somehow rehabbed his on-court image. This, however, only reminds everyone that this dude is STILL emotionally unstable.

I hope the NBA gives his punk-ass a minimum of at least 5 games for this unnecessary cheap shot. Give him some time off and another hefty fine and allow him to think about his actions.

In the meantime, I trust that Harden is ok and has no lingering effect from this vicious blow.

[easjer]

I am not doubting there was clear intent to injure - on which the suspension should most heavily be based. I'm just questioning some of what I've seen around (not necessarily this thread particularly) that he was targeting Harden specifically or intending to concuss him. He was clearly aiming high on the intentional injury - you don't throw your elbow over your own head if you aren't aiming high - but I'm not sure about the head injury part.

I am not unhappy to take the word of SA210 or others more versed in such things. Still do not agree on a lifelong or season-long ban, personally. Still very disappointed that he's undone years worth of rehabilitation work in a single moment. Hope Harden is ok.

[Brazil]

I dont understand the 5 games logic here... this is vicious and highly dangerous for harden health.. he could have killed him.. 5 games is nothing... he should out until end of the year. I know this is not reasonable but I wish he could get 1 year suspension for that BS. Some athletes are banned forever for dumping, they are cheating but at least they just put in danger their own life.

I wouldn't be chocked by a permanent suspension.

[Mugen]

I dont understand the 5 games logic here... this is vicious and highly dangerous for harden health.. he could have killed him.. 5 games is nothing... he should out until end of the year. I know this is not reasonable but I wish he could get 1 year suspension for that BS. Some athletes are banned forever for dumping, they are cheating but at least they just put in danger their own life.

I wouldn't be chocked by a permanent suspension.

He's a Laker.

Any other team and you're probably looking at 10 games min.

Artest has a history which is the only reason I think he'll get 3-5 games.

[Obstructed_View]

That's probably the most vicious play I've seen since Malone knocked Robinson out, or since JR Reid knocked out AC Green's teeth.

[vander]

I dont understand the 5 games logic here... this is vicious and highly dangerous for harden health.. he could have killed him.. 5 games is nothing... he should out until end of the year. I know this is not reasonable but I wish he could get 1 year suspension for that BS. Some athletes are banned forever for dumping, they are cheating but at least they just put in danger their own life.

I wouldn't be chocked by a permanent suspension.

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

[Mugen]

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

You woulda died instantly if that happened to you.

[Ninja]

Still do not agree on a lifelong or season-long ban, personally. Still very disappointed that he's undone years worth of rehabilitation work in a single moment. Hope Harden is ok.

Artest is a repeat offender who poses a serious threat to other players. The guy can pop at any time. Do you trust him not to do it again? If not, how can you possibly advocate letting the guy back on the court? He has already had his 2nd and 3rd chances.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Artest is a repeat offender who poses a serious threat to other players. The guy can pop at any time. Do you trust him not to do it again? If not, how can you possibly advocate letting the guy back on the court? He has already had his 2nd and 3rd chances.

He's a Laker.

Any other team and you're probably looking at 10 games min.

Artest has a history which is the only reason I think he'll get 3-5 games.

[Obstructed_View]

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

There's a reason rabbit punching is illegal in boxing. Hit a guy near the brain stem and you can kill him.

[urunobili]

inexcusable.

BUT Harden was not giving him any space to celebrate. What was he doing there anyway?

as if OKC dont celebrate their share of dunks.

Just saying.

I think Stern will go hard on this one. I'm guessing 10 to 15 games suspension or worse.

[SenorSpur]

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

A little bump on the head doesn't make your heap snap and jerk violently from one side to the other. That shot was in the guy's earhole. Do not kid yourself or dismiss this. A well-placed shot to the head could potentially have a disastrous effect.

[MannyIsGod]

I think people are seriously underestimating how long he will be out for. This is Spreewell territory, and I think the league is tired of Artests . I could honestly see him out for the entire playoffs.

[Obstructed_View]

inexcusable.

BUT Harden was not giving him any space to celebrate. What was he doing there anyway?

as if OKC dont celebrate their share of dunks.

Just saying.

I think Stern will go hard on this one. I'm guessing 10 to 15 games suspension or worse.

Yeah, Harden crowded him. He might have been trying to draw a cheap one. Metta got his money's worth out of it. As mentioned, I bet Harden doesn't do that again.

[SenorSpur]

That's probably the most vicious play I've seen since Malone knocked Robinson out, or since JR Reid knocked out AC Green's teeth.

Concur!

[MannyIsGod]

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

What.

If this is a troll job, its a good one. If not, well then you're not very bright.

[2centsworth]

That was deadly force and wouldn't be surprised to hear thoughts of criminal charges.

[Obstructed_View]

I think people are seriously underestimating how long he will be out for. This is Spreewell territory, and I think the league is tired of Artests . I could honestly see him out for the entire playoffs.

I could honestly see that maybe the NBA told him he was getting no second chances after he came back from his Palace brawl suspension.

[silverblk mystix]

can't believe people are saying stuff like this, it really didn't look dangerous at all, just a little bump on the head, Harden looked like he was ready to play again but was told he couldn't

maybe if you watch this you would understand the danger...

I couldn't find a video showing only the punch but this one has some of the story to go with it....





this quick little punch changed lives and careers....

[Spurminator]

There's no way he's back this year.

[dylankerouac]

Banned for the remainder of the year and five games next year for two reasons.

1. Make an example for the upcoming playoffs to make sure the play does not get too physical. All this comes less than a year after Bynum pulled a similar stunt.

2. MWP has a past history and needs to be shown that this is not the right thing to do when playing with other grown men in the NBA.

My only hesitation would be to increase the suspension for an additional 5-10 games.

[Mugen]

lol he's not getting banned for the season.

He'll get 2-5 games max.

If Bynum got 5 for the Barea hit then I'd say Metta gets 3 games for the elbow.

[gospursgojas]

What a piece of this moron is. Ban for rest of playoffs and next season if not for life. BECAUSE of his past and this stupid incident today. The moron just can't be trusted to keep things civil on the basketball court. What happens next time? Should the NBA risk that?

Serious question Stern needs to ask himself. What if next time its one of the NBA's darlings...Lebron, Wade, the New York Knicks?

Guy should be banned. His career is almost over anyway. He's a Laker so he'll get 3 games.

[timvp]

As for the Lakers, this doesn't really hurt them that much. Meltdown World War has been horrible when playing next to Kobe. Matt Barnes can step in and start and they can give more minutes to Ebanks. It lowers their ceiling but might make them more stable, tbh.





P.S.

The fact that the elbow was on national TV on Sunday afternoon and the NBA was banking on the grandma audience tuning in, Stern will probably come down pretty hard. That's the exact thing the NBA wants to get rid of to make the sport more "sponsor-friendly". If it happened in a late West coast game that no one was watching, Artest might have gotten away with two games.

IMO, Stern is going to have to pull a Goodell and go overboard with this punishment. The Lakers logo might save him but probably not.

[Obstructed_View]

Artest was pretty good in crunch time for the Lakers when they won their le, and showed signs of becoming that again. Losing him would be a big blow if they want to go far.