Kobe suspended 1 game

[DubMcDub]

What the ?

Kobe was trying to draw a foul.

Man, the Spurs always get the benifit of some weak azz suspensions. Artest and Terry in the playoffs last year were pretty weak ... and now this takes the cake.

I've always found you to be one of the most reasonable posters on the board, but I just wanted to say that I'm impressed by this post. Props to you.

[whottt]

are you serious? look through these posts. these so-called spurs fans are furious. usually, this type of anger is directed at tony parker or beno udrih.

When was the last time Parker or Beno were given a lameass suspension? Spurs players have been getting ripped for sucking...not for being lamely suspended.

It's a lame suspension, it's one of the lamest suspensions I've ever seen.

And it benefits us in no way...


You know what would have benefitted us? Calling a foul on the play...calling a foul when Kobe fouled Horry on the 3...he'll even a tech for taunting. But a suspension for an inadvertant elbow to the face? It's lame and I don't really understand what the NBA is trying to prove here. I guess no more inadvertant elbows...which is going to bite Manu in the ass as much as it does anyone else.

[Fabbs]

a foul should have been called in the game or a fine. a suspension is over the top and in the spirit of full disclosure, i wish Stu would issue some kind of statement saying how he got to this conclusion. all NBA players should be worried about the precedent this sets.

Kori posted it and i would support the same action had GNob did the same cheapshot to Kobme. Glad its being enforced and yes of course it should have been a foul and GNob (or other Spur) at the ft line for the win.

Here's the rule:

Officials have been instructed to eject a player who throws a punch, whether or not it connects, or an elbow which makes contact above shoulder level. If elbow contact is shoulder level or below, it shall be left to the discretion of the official as to whether the player is ejected. Even if a punch or an elbow goes undetected by the officials during the game, but is detected during a review of a videotape, that player will be penalized.

[ManuTastic]

Its probably going to be a deterant for players flailing around trying too draw fouls, hopefully it will work.

That's my take. And if that's the intent, it's a good one. All that flailing around looking for any kind of bull contact in an attempt to draw a "foul" is just crap. Time to see that go away too.

Suspending Kobe just shows they're serious. He's high profile and everyone will get the message.

[Purple & Gold]

Well I'm glad to see that many of the Spurs fans are not blind homers, like I previously thought. It is harsh (I don't think it was intentional hit), but I have no problem with a one game suspension as long as the NBA is going to be consistent. And the NBA needs to now be consistent with these type of calls.

[Kori Ellis]

But a suspension for an inadvertant elbow to the face? It's lame and I don't really understand what the NBA is trying to prove here. I guess no more inadvertant elbows...which is going to bite Manu in the ass as much as it does anyone else.

I'm not even sure it was a real elbow, more like a forearm. But I completely agree with this sentiment. If this is a precedent suspension, then Manu and Bruce are going to need to be a lot more careful

[angel_luv]

I would like to hear what our guys- specifically Gino and Timmy- think about the suspension.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Basically, it was an inadvertant.... but it could of been avoided. I think that is the point the league is trying to get across

[timvp]

Pop is going to be mad about the suspension.

Book it.

[Purple & Gold]

Perhaps I'm not interpreting this correctly, but is Jackson saying that Kobe, or any other "premier" player, is above being suspended or fined?

He's making a general comment, not just about this incident. He believes that Kobe doesn't get the "superstar" call. A usual Phil Jackson dig to the higher ups in the NBA.

[Spurminator]

Pretty ridiculous. I would have been surprised with even a fine, but a suspension is ludicrous.

A foul should have been called on Kobe, and maybe that's a positive that can come from this - refs may be more inclined to look for this kind of wreckless flailing on cleanly stripped/blocked shots. But it seems a bit extreme to suspend Kobe for doing something that has become a part of the game due to the NBA's failure to address it years ago.

[ChumpDumper]

He believes that Kobe doesn't get the "superstar" call.

He wants superstar calls for Kobe and is disappointed he doesn't get them.

[BLACKMAMBA24]

Lakers 105 knicks 95 Odom triple-doubles ala pheonix on halloween

[Big P]

I am gald he was suspended. Looking at the replay, he knows he gets stuffed, then he flails his arm back ridiculously hard, knowing that he is going to hit whoever blocked his ass. People complain about Manu flopping, & I agree that sometimes it goes overboard, but to me this is the same type of situation, he got blocked cleanly(trying to draw a phantom foul, like a flop(which I'm not saying is right), but the difference between flopping & this is, the players that flop put their bodies on the line, not try to take out the the other player), he tries to make a motion like he was hacked, the refs saw it was a clean block & there was no reason for him to swing his arm back like that. If he didn't mean to hit him the least he could have done was check to see how bad it was, but no he just walks down the court pissed off.

IMO Pop & Manu said the right thing, that it wasn't on purpose, but what is the league & other teams going to think if Pop & Manu came out & started crying about how Kobe should be suspended..they would look like whiners..now its on the league, not the Spurs.

[Mixability]

so Manu and Pop disagree with the suspension?

[angel_luv]

Yea- anyone have quotes?

[Laker4ever]

Yes, Kobe didn't even take a look at Manu to see if he was fine or to apologize. He was just pissed Manu blocked him.

I'm surprised people are surprised. My first reaction after the punch was Kobe would probably be suspended for that.

If you move your arm very fast like that, at that height, you have a lot of chances to hit someone hard, intentionnaly or not. That was a dangerous move.

And BTW, the game was not over, it should have been an offensive foul.

I was at the game.I saw Kobe walking away initially probably didn't know it was as serious as it was.Then he looked back and he saw a group of Spurs around Manu and walked back to see if he was alright.After Manu got up Kobe tapped him on the head and walked to the Lakers bench.

[Kori Ellis]

Yea- anyone have quotes?

I don't think they've commented yet since the suspension. But they both said it wasn't intentional in postgame.

[Kori Ellis]

I was at the game.I saw Kobe walking away initially probably didn't know it was as serious as it was.Then he looked back and he saw a group of Spurs around Manu and walked back to see if he was alright.After Manu got up Kobe tapped him on the head and walked to the Lakers bench.

And then afterward, he asked Tim if Manu was okay (when Manu didn't start the OT). And then when Manu came in, he asked if he was okay.

I think it was obvious he was concerned.

[Budkin]

What the ?

Kobe was trying to draw a foul.

Man, the Spurs always get the benifit of some weak azz suspensions. Artest and Terry in the playoffs last year were pretty weak ... and now this takes the cake.

Unfortunately we didn't benefit from this at all. But it is a weak suspension. How come Malone never got suspended for his elbows?

[angel_luv]

I don't think they've commented yet since the suspension. But they both said it wasn't intentional in postgame.

Gino would know. I'll take his word for it.

[whottt]

]. All that flailing around looking for any kind of bull contact in an attempt to draw a "foul" is just crap. Time to see that go away too.
.

Congrats Manutastic...you evidentally want to see about 50% of Manu's game go away...

[Pistons < Spurs]

People complain about Manu flopping, & I agree that sometimes it goes overboard, but to me this is the same type of situation, he got blocked cleanly(trying to draw a phantom foul, like a flop(which I'm not saying is right), but the difference between flopping & this is, the players that flop put their bodies on the line, not try to take out the the other player), he tries to make a motion like he was hacked, the refs saw it was a clean block & there was no reason for him to swing his arm back like that.

I essentially agree with you. I hate when offensive players try to get an undeserved whistle, instead of just playing the game. I too think this tactic is much like the flop.......

But, that type of play happens in every single NBA game. And never is a player suspended. If they want to crack down on it like they're going to do with flopping next year, fine. Make a rule change. But you can't just all of a sudden suspend a player for something that is done on a regular basis by 70% of the NBA.

If he didn't mean to hit him the least he could have done was check to see how bad it was, but no he just walks down the court pissed off.

And Kobe did go over to Manu to see if he was OK.

[spurschick]

Obviously, the league felt the need to send some kind of message but, in the end, it's really between Kobe and Manu and they appear to be fine.

[Medvedenko]

Kobe is pissed....I feel sorry for Boston on Wednesday....