Artest to be suspended for Game #2

[boutons_]

"simple foul"

... was a bad call by the ref. Please read:

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_12...av=ArticleList

l. A player, coach or trainer must be ejected for:
(1) A punching foul
(2) A fighting foul
(3) An elbow foul which makes contact above shoulder level

The suspension was very probably Stern's call, Artest having given Stern and the NBA a huge image problem, around the planet, an image that Stern had been trying his whole NBA career to enhance.

If this was "personal" from Stern to Artest, it's fine with me.

[Solid D]

Now, Ron has 3 s ches AND a suspension to stew over.

[CubanMustGo]

Here's the problem with the F2. If you are Ron Artest, does a one-game suspension (WITH LOSS OF PAY) make you want to hurt someone more, or less? And does the fact that you get game 3/4 at home make it more or less likely that you're going to try something?

[sa_butta]

really too bad for the Kings those will be hard shoes to fill for game two.

[1Parker1]

I believe they're doing it becuase of Artest and his history. If Bibby had done that...I doubt he would have gotten suspended. But such is the price you pay when you run into the stands and attack a fan.

BTW, Haslem has also been suspended for Game 2? He was already ejected that game for throwing his retainer or whatever the heck he wears in the ref's direction.

[IceColdBrewski]

I thought a fine would have been good enough, but with Artest maybe a suspension is all that will prevent an ugly brawl between both teams. Artest earned his short leash. He's obviously one fight from being thrown out of the league. I'm changing my tune and agreeing with butons on this one.

[sa_butta]

Here's the problem with the F2. If you are Ron Artest, does a one-game suspension (WITH LOSS OF PAY) make you want to hurt someone more, or less? And does the fact that you get game 3/4 at home make it more or less likely that you're going to try something?

I dont think he is going out to hurt someone, but he will play with more intensity and more physical, should be an interesting game 3.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

It will be interesting to see what the national reaction to this is. Someone in another thread said that the league might upgrade the foul and fine him as a deterrent to him REALLY nailing someone. They'd much rather have the first round story lines to be about Lebron coming out, Kobe vs. the Suns, etc., rather than Sportscenter leading off with footage of Artest giving Manu a concussion. But this runs the risk of becoming its own story line, rather than simply trying to corral a potential problem.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I believe they're doing it becuase of Artest and his history. If Bibby had done that...I doubt he would have gotten suspended. But such is the price you pay when you run into the stands and attack a fan.

BTW, Haslem has also been suspended for Game 2? He was already ejected that game for throwing his retainer or whatever the heck he wears in the ref's direction.

On the flip side, it sets a precedent for the actions the NBA will allow the rest of the playoffs.

Maybe a move to squash any chances of negative publicity (like Artest/Detroit) before it gets close?

[Slinkyman]

Good move by the league, it's time they try to clean up their image. It's called sportsmanship and kids are at home watching these players and mimicking everything they do. If they see sore losers who try to hurt players kids will emulate that on the playground or in youth leagues.

And what's up with spurs fans and their fear of artest and the kings? "oh no now we're gonna get spanked in game 3 because now sac is mad, thanx nba." "thanx nazr, that 3 is gonna really piss sac off now and they're gonna come out with emotion and beat us." what? what the is wrong with you guys? We're the number 1 seed, sac is number 8! Please start acting like you're the fans of the defending champs and not some team that was lucking to make the playofffs.

[pache100]

good, one less opportunity for Artest to (seriously) injure a spurs player

Are you kidding? He'll be loaded for bear when he comes back. He will probably wind up getting suspended for the remainder of the playoffs. But, he is going to hurt someone first. He's like a crazy man when he gets rattled; well, he's always a crazy man, but even more so when he's pissed. This is just fuel for the fire and unnecessary. For anyone else, it would not have been a suspendable offense. I don't believe in making examples of people; wait until they deserve it before doling out the harshest punishment.

[01Snake]

Anyone have a clip of the incident?

[austinfan]

One thing's for sure: Manu is going to be dealing with some serious hating from the Sacto crowd in Game 3.

[Extra Stout]

Here's the problem with the F2. If you are Ron Artest, does a one-game suspension (WITH LOSS OF PAY) make you want to hurt someone more, or less? And does the fact that you get game 3/4 at home make it more or less likely that you're going to try something?

OTOH, the officials will be on high alert in G 3/4 and will throw him out at the drop of a hat.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

This suspension will probably cause the other SAC players to come out with a lot more effort in game 2. The Spurs better realize this and keep their intensity up, because game 2 now has the smell of an upset.

[sa_butta]

On the flip side, it sets a precedent for the actions the NBA will allow the rest of the playoffs.

Maybe a move to squash any chances of negative publicity (like Artest/Detroit) before it gets close?

makes sense since there is more on the line during the playoffs. Players are more emotional, and inclined to play more physical.

[shyne]

Well Kobe got fined for the same on Mike Miller.

[Tigole Bitties]

I'm guessing the league office saw it as retaliation for Manu's elbow. Fines really don't hurt the pocketbooks of players who make beaucoup bucks. They need penalize them in some other fashion.

[pache100]

And what's up with spurs fans and their fear of artest and the kings? "

WTF? Your comments are more those of someone hiding behind the league instead of taking care of your own business. I haven't seen any comments here that indicate anyone is afraid of the Kings or Ron Artest.

[1Parker1]

One thing's for sure: Manu is going to be dealing with some serious hating from the Sacto crowd in Game 3.

I didn't even think of that.

[lil'mo]

Are you kidding? He'll be loaded for bear when he comes back. He will probably wind up getting suspended for the remainder of the playoffs. But, he is going to hurt someone first. He's like a crazy man when he gets rattled; well, he's always a crazy man, but even more so when he's pissed. This is just fuel for the fire and unnecessary. For anyone else, it would not have been a suspendable offense. I don't believe in making examples of people; wait until they deserve it before doling out the harshest punishment.

no im not, i think artest gets spurned on by road fans alot and he lets it get to him.
plus, i dont really expect the Spurs to blowout the kings in arco

2 things that fire artest up the most wont factor in to games 3 and 4

[Slinkyman]

WTF? Your comments are more those of someone hiding behind the league instead of taking care of your own business. I haven't seen any comments here that indicate anyone is afraid of the Kings or Ron Artest.

what do you call this?

This suspension will probably cause the other SAC players to come out with a lot more effort in game 2. The Spurs better realize this and keep their intensity up, because game 2 now has the smell of an upset.

translation:

oh no now sac is mad and we're gonna lose, oh well we had a good season but sac is just too good for us

[polandprzem]

Here's the problem with the F2. If you are Ron Artest, does a one-game suspension (WITH LOSS OF PAY) make you want to hurt someone more, or less? And does the fact that you get game 3/4 at home make it more or less likely that you're going to try something?

That's what I'm afraid of. This crowd this anger and his psycho


I haven't seen this (probably in 12 hours I will watch it) but I don't think (from what I heard) that that was such a big crime he did.
For now , to me it's unfair. (The suspension)

[Roscoe and the Body]

Artest just has to learn not to be so obvious. He just needs to stick his foot under Gino when he goes up for a jumper next time...

I do understand your hesitation about playing Artest in games three and four though, kid is unstable as they come. He already feels that the league is out to get him, he might be stupid enough to say "screw it - league is out to get me, I might as well go down thuggin" sorta deal, and then look to his music career.

What's better, sweeping the series and getting away from Artest as fast as possible, or having the series go five so Artest has a glimmer of hope while playing in Sacto(and stays reasonably sane), and you get to close the series in San Antonio(players on the road are very often less "brave")?

[pache100]

what do you call this?

Normal fare from EHJ and the other guy's SN tells me everything I need to know (not to take him seriously).