WTF? Artest suspended for Game 2.

[Dtownsfinest]

Sacramento’s Ron Artest Suspended

NEW YORK, April 24, 2006 – Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings has been suspended one game without pay for making forearm contact to the head of Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred with 9:07 remaining in the third period of the Spurs’ 122-88 win over the visiting Kings at AT&T Center on April 22. Artest will miss Game 2 of the series, which will be played at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, April 25



Somebody has to remind me where the game suspending foul occured because I didn't see it. I know Artest is on a short leash but goodness. Looks like its going to be a sweep for the Spurs.

[sixeightmkw]

I guess the refs and the league didn't care about Eddie Jones taking out Jet last night either.

[Dtownsfinest]

Well if Eddie is going to get one expect it to come tomorrow lol. Talk about a low blow. You prepare for the next game the you find out your best player is out.

[EricaLubarsky]

There is nothing worse than someone with a borderline personality disorder who thinks the world is against him-- and is right.

What a poorly-handled affair.

[Dtownsfinest]

I sort of thought it was a bit disturbing when someone who was calling the game said the refs were intentionally giving Artest fouls that maybe other players wouldn't have gotten so that Aldeman could get Artest out of the game. Is that really what the referees go through? I'd like to hope not. Its clear the refs were trying to send a message. You give him a fine. Granted, it probably wouldn't have hurt him one bit but you don't suspended a guy for a possibly series ending game. With the Kings being the away team they have to go for the steal on the road.

[chumdawg]

Not all that big a deal, since it's another road game for the Kings. If the Kings are going to have a chance in the series, they are probably going to have to hold their own at home and see what they can do in a seventh game.

[DelNegro]

The foul was in the 3rd quarter. Artest put a forearm to Ginobili's head. It was a hard foul, but even as a Spurs fan I thought it was borderline suspension-worthy. Being the playoffs I didn't expect him to get suspended. JMO, but I think part of it might be a pre-emptive strike against the Kings because there's all kinds of talk out of Kings camp now about how they need to start committing hard fouls on Parker and the NBA could be stepping in to send a message that they don't want the Kings to start thugging it up.

[MavKikiNYC]

[sixeightmkw]

or at least tries to cop a feel.

[Dtownsfinest]

Yea I wasn't sure if that was sarcasm or what but in Sac Town they are talking about throwing elbows and basically kicking ass literally.

Ha. I remember that Parker and Artest play. That was one of the fouls called against Artest.

[orangedays]

I think the refs and the league are clamping down a little hard and a little early this year. ALOT of ticky tack calls and possibly game-changing calls/non-calls. We've already seen Lawrence Frank talking about how, "the game should be decided by the players," with regards to the Anthony Johnson foul. We had the Kobe foul at the end of the Phoenix-Lakers game. Artest situation. Hopefully it won't get worse.

[sixeightmkw]

Originally Posted by orangedays

I think the refs and the league are clamping down a little hard and a little early this year. ALOT of ticky tack calls and possibly game-changing calls/non-calls. We've already seen Lawrence Frank talking about how, "the game should be decided by the players," with regards to the Anthony Johnson foul. We had the Kobe foul at the end of the Phoenix-Lakers game. Artest situation. Hopefully it won't get worse.

Just a quick note on that. Johnson got bumped by Kidd and Krsitc pulled his jersey. That was a foul. And the game wasn't decided by the refs. The game was decided when Franks team couldn't get a defensive rebound. Get the rebound and either they win or it goes to overtime. That is a cop out on Franks part.

[orangedays]

Originally Posted by sixeightmkw

Just a quick note on that. Johnson got bumped by Kidd and Krsitc pulled his jersey. That was a foul. And the game wasn't decided by the refs. The game was decided when Franks team couldn't get a defensive rebound. Get the rebound and either they win or it goes to overtime. That is a cop out on Franks part.

I wasn't debating the foul - I know A.J. was fouled. I was using that as an example of a controversy developing from a referee decision. Just like the non-call on Kobe's baseline drive, just like the decision to suspend Artest. Just like the decision to do nothing to punish Eddie Jones.

[sixeightmkw]

yeah, I know. Just a note for all those guys out there that want to contest it.

[capitalcity]

I think the word for this is "gay".

[Drbio]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

There is nothing worse than someone with a borderline personality disorder who thinks the world is against him-- and is right.

What a poorly-handled affair.

Agreed. What a joke.

[mary]

http://random-m.com/images/415219131_manuandart.gif

I didn't see the rest of the game. But from viewing the clip, I would think a suspension is warranted in this instance. The ball was on the floor and it looks like a clear intentional cheap shot to me. If Artest is too stupid to realize by now he's not going to get leeway with the league, then its is own damn fault - F him. And screw Sacramento too - this is what they asked for.

[Drbio]

Looks like Miller fouled Manu way before Artest got there, but yeah...that forearm was pretty high.

Was it called as a flagrant foul during the game???

[EricaLubarsky]

Im just glad the spurs never do anything like that

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Im just glad the spurs never do anything like that

hahahaha.......Thank you. I am still on the floor laughing........

[Murphy3]

It's not like they every bite anyone or anything....

[Usually Lurkin]

check out Duncan's flying hip-check in Mary's link

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by mary

http://random-m.com/images/415219131_manuandart.gif

I didn't see the rest of the game. But from viewing the clip, I would think a suspension is warranted in this instance. The ball was on the floor and it looks like a clear intentional cheap shot to me. If Artest is too stupid to realize by now he's not going to get leeway with the league, then its is own damn fault - F him. And screw Sacramento too - this is what they asked for.

In typical Manu fasion he acts like he was shot in the head.

[sixeightmkw]

yeah, a bit of overacting.

[mary]

The game was pretty physical from what I've read. I think the problem here is that Artest doesn't even attempt hide his intentions, and I think that's what made it difficult for the league to ignore.

Remember the forearm that Finley got suspended for against Bowen?

Remember Kobe's suspension earlier this year for his foul against Mike Miller?

In all three cases, the intent was pretty clear as none of them occurred in this course of a normal basketball play (i.e. driving to the basket, clearing space for a rebound, etc.)

The suspension seems consistent with recent league decisions, IMO.

[mary]

Originally Posted by Drbio

Looks like Miller fouled Manu way before Artest got there, but yeah...that forearm was pretty high.

Was it called as a flagrant foul during the game???

Yep, I count three fouls in that play. I really have no idea what was called.

[MavKikiNYC]

Given that it appeared to be intentional, and given that it occurred in a game where a Ginobili elbow had caught Artest in the mouth early in the game, the league is doubtless considering this retaliation.

Given Artest's history, one game is light.

I'd have had no problem at all if the league had refused to allow him back oncourt this year, but I imagine the NBAPA would've had objections.

Artest is exactly what the league needs to get rid of.

[rabbitproof]

Looks worse then it is. Unfortunately, for the Kings, it looks intentional and unnecessary.

Still over in 5. Nothing changes.

[MavsFanFinley]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

Looks worse then it is. Unfortunately, for the Kings, it looks intentional and unnecessary.

That's what it comes down to. It looked intentional and the league wasn't going to let that slide. Not when you're talking about Ron Artest.

I'm not sure why anyone would want to write the game off as a loss though. It's times like this when a Martin or Garcia step up and kill you. I admit it's unlikely the Kings win but I wouldn't write it off just because Artest won't be playing.

I still can't get over that Sacramento article (I'm forgetting her name right now) where it talked about hurting the players intentionally.

[Mavdog]

ailene voisin wrote;

With apologies to Eva Longoria - and no one is suggesting anyone inflict serious harm to her longtime boyfriend - but the Kings are desperate here. The options against the defending world champs are all physically painful, yet given the alternatives, better than anything else that comes to mind. Sac's reputation as a vastly improved defensive team is about 48 minutes from being gutted.

A repeat performance Tuesday night, and the Kings can gather their belongings, slink back to Sac, and reclaim their familiar standing among the league's consistently agreeable opponents.

One would hope that, at least for a night, they could emulate the world champs and make a little noise. Heck, why not "Pop" someone once in a while?

The next time Spurs coach Gregg Popovich directs Parker to attack the lane, send a subtle forearm into the Frenchman's midsection. The next time Manu Ginobili shreds a double-team, land an elbow to the hip. The next time Robert Horry, Michael Finley, Nick Van Exel, Brent Barry, etc., etc., etc., race into the deep corners, extend an arm and nick a wrist?

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports...15064710c.html

[spreedom]

It looks pretty unintentional to me... his arms were already up and in the ready position to defend a shot attempt.. and it looks like a hell of a flop too..

[Thespiralgoeson]

I probably would've given him a flagrant, but a suspension seems very uncalled-for.

[ocelot_ark]

Irrelevant...except for the fact that someone finally gave Manu a pop to the face. He needs about 279085785738^9087452753 more.

[dude1394]

Man that looks blatant as all get out. He lined him up and then slyly looks away as he takes his shot. thug... He will ultimately destroy that team as well.

[rakesh.s]

past transgressions and it was against the golden boys... just be happy it is only one game.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

Looks worse then it is. Unfortunately, for the Kings, it looks intentional and unnecessary.

Still over in 5. Nothing changes.

Yeah, i dont think it effects the series too much, but the league definetly cracked down harder on Artest due to his past history.

[Big Boy Laroux]

ha ha, i love how artest glances to the right at the last second, to make it seem like he's not doing anything.

[DirkGoesNuclear]

.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

ha ha, i love how artest glances to the right at the last second, to make it seem like he's not doing anything.

It's a no-look elbow to the face!

Artest is mental. But if he's gonna take a cheap shot, might as well be on Ginobili. I can't say I'd be mad if his arms went flailng and he fell on the ground without it being a flop for the first time ever. His flopping is akin to soccer players' flops. Being Argentina is such a big soccer country, I can see where it comes from.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

In typical Manu fasion he acts like he was shot in the head.

Great post! I love it, it's so true. His constant flops especially on his layups bug me. Rep for you