The Lakers will head into Game 3 against the Rockets without the services of Derek Fisher, who was suspended for Artest, as you might imagine, believes the league got it wrong, and was surprised at Stu Jackson's ruling that Bryant's play was only upgraded to a flagrant foul, penalty one. Artest believes it should have resulted in a suspension.
"I thought above the shoulders was a game (suspension), but I guess you can throw elbows above the shoulders," Artest said. "I think Stu (Jackson, the NBA vice president) needs to re-look at that. When you look at that elbow, if that was me throwing that elbow at Kobe, first of all I would have hurt Kobe way more than he hurt me. I probably would have knocked him out with the same force he used on me. Second, it's dangerous.Yes, Ron, he just got a flagrant one. And it was the correct call.
"That shows me, if Kobe hits me with an elbow, I can just get hit. That just goes to show what type of person Stu Jackson is. I got suspended for a lighter elbow in San Antonio (in the 2006 first round). Maybe David Stern needs to talk to Stu Jackson. It's not fair. He just got a flagrant-1?"
As Matt Watson and I discussed on the RoundCast at the time, Kobe's play -- while excessive -- was not intended to injure Artest. It was meant to clear space, after Artest was leaning on Kobe's neck to prevent him from getting position just seconds before the elbow came flying. It certainly was a play that should have been called a flagrant foul at the time, but it wasn't one that warranted a suspension.
This series is shaping up to be the most physical of the (still young) postseason. There will undoubtedly be more hard fouls, technicals, and controversial plays in the games that follow. Artest might not be correct in this particular instance in calling for a Kobe Bryant suspension. But his comments can't hurt, and might simply be a way of preemptively lobbying the league to rule on his side the next time something like this goes down.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-08-2009 @ 3:01PM
hilryshaves said...
It was an evil elbow, but Artest was laying on Kobe's back, he had to throw the bow to get him off..
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5-08-2009 @ 3:21PM
la all day said...
if it was the other way around ron would have def been suspended. Its all about the players reputation. Image the backlash the nba would get if their 2nd best player couldnt play in a playoff game.
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5-08-2009 @ 3:27PM
Glenn20 said...
Why is it so difficult for people to understand the difference between an event while trying to play the game versus an event that occurs after a play is over? Why can't people understand the concept of "intent"?
A few examples...
* Kobe's elbow came while fighting with Artest for position. He didn't seek out Artest to elbow him. I'd give him a flagrant, but no suspension. NBA was CORRECT to NOT suspend him.
* On the other hand, Howard's elbow last week was after the play was already over. He had ONE INTENT ONLY -- to elbow someone. It had nothing to do with playing defense. NBA was CORRECT to suspend him.
* Rondo's play on Miller was with the intent of stopping a potentially game-winning basket. He had no ill-will toward Miller. There was no one covering Miller and Rondo had to rush over as fast as he could to stop a shot. It was a split-second (and unfortunate) play in the course of playing defense. You're screwed up if you think he actually came over -- without regard to the game situation -- just because he felt like hitting someone. I would have given him a flagrant foul, but the NBA was CORRECT to NOT suspend him.
* Alston's slap was after the play was already over. He had ONE INTENT ONLY -- to slap House upside the head. It had nothing to do with playing defense. The NBA was CORRECT to suspend him.
The problem is that most fans (and some writers, players, coaches) are only comparing the actual contact, without putting it into the context of the play. If you think about the game (or non-game) circumstances of each individual situation and try to consider intent, you'll realize that the NBA has been pretty consistent when doling out suspensions.
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5-08-2009 @ 5:46PM
sjmarkets said...
I cant agree more, You are 100% right.
5-08-2009 @ 4:52PM
ucsbcub1 said...
Hey Ron,
Here is my opinion. I think you should have been banned from the NBA for running up into the stands to fight FANS.
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5-08-2009 @ 5:11PM
steve said...
I really don't think kobe elbowed him above the shoulders and he doesn't deserve to be suspended.
on the other hand, Go for it Artest. Stu Jackson is a moron 99% of the time and he should be demoted to janitor of the league offices.
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5-08-2009 @ 5:48PM
sjmarkets said...
I agree! He is a moron.
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5-08-2009 @ 5:57PM
ladubbz45 said...
if it was the other way around, there would be no elbow cuz Kobe plays real D, not jump on your back D.
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5-08-2009 @ 6:18PM
oocookiedooo said...
uhh no. kobe is one of the dirtiest players.
ron is just a crazy guy with physical in your face defense.
5-08-2009 @ 6:26PM
Martin said...
Artest puts his forearm on the back of Bryant's neck and shoves him three feet, but that isn't a flagrant foul. But Kobe's elbow to try to stop the mugging (because the officials waited too long to finally call the foul on Artest) is a flagrant foul. Kobe, the man, later said that Artest shouldn't have been ejected while Artest the little crybaby claims that Bryant should be suspended. Artest should act like a man instead of a spoiled little child on the court. The NBA, where hypocracy happens all the time.
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5-08-2009 @ 6:41PM
Chuck said...
kobe shouldnt be playing tonight, that was a cheap shot and it'll only get worse now.The game got away from the refs in game 2. Looks to me like Odem might be the next laker to cross the line, he seemed to be the one doing all the talking and shoving. I hope Houston sends them packing!
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5-08-2009 @ 7:30PM
Jay said...
Kobe is a little B!$#h. He resorts to playing dirty when he gets frustrated and they look like they might lose. I don't care what any of you say, that was a dirty elbow and it was intentional. The rules should apply to everyone equally. Artest was playing hard in the paint but I can't say he was being dirty. It's cool because if he gets another flagrant foul it will be an automatic suspension. Rockets are going to kick their antses tonight.
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5-08-2009 @ 8:34PM
ladubbz45 said...
Kobe is gonna own you pussies.
If you "KNOW" how to "PLAY" bball, if your getting boxed out, you cant go through, or almost over a player like Artest did, to get the ball. THATS WHY Artest got called for the Foul. THe ELBOW was because Artest sucks, was getting boxed out by a Professional champion, Kobe, and he started pushing like a bitch. Artest EARNED an elbow to the chest for being a bitch. Youre all scared because we coming to Texas to give you some more Beat-Downs L.A. STYLE!!!!! your shits weak!!!!!!
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5-08-2009 @ 8:37PM
lakergregg said...
Hey Artest,don't forget your Lithium shot before the game.
What happened to this schizo wanting to be called "Bill" and seriously Pollakoff why not address your own name change?
Until you do folks will just assume you ran off to Massachusetts and got married.
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5-08-2009 @ 9:10PM
jcf284 said...
i THINK KOBE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED FOR THE LEAGUE FOR RAPE. HE SETTLED THE CLAIM OUT OF COURT
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5-09-2009 @ 9:10AM
bkind7x said...
Actually, Kobe's arm movement is moving with his body in the direction of the ball bouncing off the backboard. It actually does not appear to be deliberate as Artest is on Kobe's back; and it did not send Artest across the floor as the article implies - Artest ran across the floor to start a fight with Kobe.
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5-09-2009 @ 9:43AM
Keith Williams said...
glenn u r 100% correct in your assertions could not have typed it any better myself
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5-09-2009 @ 9:57AM
An. said...
Finally someone who gets it. Glenn20, great post. The I.Q level in the comments section is pretty low, mainly because lots of non-NBA fans are posting and showing how little they know about the NBA. Finally someone who posts something worthy to be read. You said exactly what I was going to post.
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5-09-2009 @ 12:45PM
vipcomedy said...
How Kobe gonna rape a chick that was carrying more seman in her draws than a blue whalecan carry, dumbass you probably mad because he didnt f**k you in the ass sissy
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