November 14, 2008 – Dr. Dime
Good Job NBA, Good Job David Stern, Good Job Stu Jackson. You just proved that collectively you have no clue as to the dynamics of a melee or even a simple fight. You have no idea about the principles of camaraderie, being a good teammate, or even personal integrity and pride. You are doing your best to breed players who run away from fights and sit back and watch as their teammates are hung out to dry.
And let’s add blind into the mix. Today the NBA laid out the suspensions related to the fight two nights ago in the game between the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns. Rafer Alston was suspended without pay for two games (check), Matt Barnes was suspended for two games without pay (check), Steve Nash was suspended for one game without pay for getting punched in the face (check…..wait a minute….huh?). I’ve watched the video a hundred times now. Steve Nash ran over to the shoving match between Alston and Barnes to break it up, he was then immediately knocked to the floor by Tracy McGrady from the side. While on the way down, Nash was caught in the face by an uppercut with the left hand of Rafer Alston. That was it for Nash’ involvement. So basically he tried to play peacemaker and got shoved to the ground and punched in the face. To David Stern and Stu Jackson those actions = 1 game suspension.
I guess David Stern and Stu Jackson were jealous they weren’t in on the action so this is there proverbial ‘punch in the face’ to Steve Nash after the fact. That’s the only explanation I can come up with.
Shaq, Shaq, Shaq…..how do you get away with being so big? I don’t disagree with Shaquille O’Neal only getting a fine and not a suspension, as I think Shaq had every right to stick up for his teammates (especially Nash) getting pushed around and punched from every angle. What I take issue with is the unlevel playing field in the punishments dished out by the NBA today. After seeing McGrady shove Nash, Shaq immediately knocked McGrady about 20 feet back with a shove in the back, then he gave Rafer Alston a one arm shove and because of the size difference he knocked Rafer Alston so far away from the arena that he had to take a taxi back to the game to make it for the final period. All of this to the NBA = no suspension and only $35,000 fine.
All of this is just my take on the video replay’s however. So I have included a couple different takes and angles on the video for all of you to make your own judgment call about who deserved what, as far as NBA fines and suspensions. Let us know in the comment section below after watching the vids…
