NBA VP Stu Jackson explains KG's suspension

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2010/04/stu_jackson_exp.html

Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, explained his decision in an e-mail to the Globe, also laying out why Richardson was fined rather than also losing a game.


"Garnett was suspended for throwing an elbow that struck the head of Richardson," Jackson wrote. "This action is analogous to a player throwing a punch that connects. By rule a player [who] swings his hand (with an open or closed fist), whether or not the hand connects, will be automatically suspended for a minimum of one game."

"The foregoing also applies to comparable methods of striking or attempting to strike another player (e.g., “head butting” or elbowing above the shoulders). This is the reason for his suspension."

"Richardson's actions played a role by precipitating the altercation that followed (e.g. verbal exchange with Garnett)," Jackson said. "These actions warranted a fine. Also besides Richardson's verbal exchange, his grabbing of Garnett was considered. However, both these actions warrranted a fine, not a suspension."

So we just give him a pat on the ass and say okay, $25,000, the Heat pay the fine and take him out to dinner for his devotion to the team! What a joke this whole thing is! The NBA, it is infinite wisdom, has made fools of themselves again.

Rosalie,

What should the NBA have done? Do you think they shouldn't have suspended Garnett or that Richardson should be suspended?

Rosalie,
Ce la vie! Unfortunately, the league decided that just KG out is the lesser evil. I think they wanted to keep the series as close as possible, therefore they didn't suspend QR, nor O'Neal, nor other Heat players. I hope Celtics prove them wrong.

AK

I believe both should have been suspended. I am not saying that Garnett was innocent here. He was stupid! However, if Richardson hadn't started the whole thing, it never would have taken place. Jackson sounded like an idiot claiming that there was only one person guilty here. Let them both pay the price.
Richardson is walking around like he was the wounded party here, give me a break. Garnett is too smart to fall for that fool's actions.

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I believe both should have been suspended. I am not saying that Garnett was innocent here. He was stupid! However, if Richardson hadn't started the whole thing, it never would have taken place. Jackson sounded like an idiot claiming that there was only one person guilty here. Let them both pay the price.
Richardson is walking around like he was the wounded party here, give me a break. Garnett is too smart to fall for that fool's actions.

So, if Garnett didn't hit Richardson with an elbow, should Richardson still have been suspended? Clearly no.
If there was no elbowing, there would be no suspensions.
The NBA can't then suspend Richardson because Garnett decided to hit him with an elbow.
Apparently, Garnett did fall for it because he is the one sitting out tonight.
All players know the rules about throwing punches and elbows.
In many NBA games players get in each others face and there is often one person that starts it.
Whoever throws the elbow or punch will get suspended, even if that player didn't start the confrontation.

Read Jackson's statement again.

Yeah?
Nothing Jackson said was wrong.
Outside of you thinking the NBA is wrong and Richardson should be suspended, you haven't brought a reasonable explanation why Richardson deserved a suspension.

tjmakz wrote:Yeah?
Nothing Jackson said was wrong.
Outside of you thinking the NBA is wrong and Richardson should be suspended, you haven't brought a reasonable explanation why Richardson deserved a suspension.

What is the point of you posting on this site other than to be a pain in the ass, contrarian? You bring very little substance - and simply stick to the Lakers party line of all anti Celtics - all the time.

You were presented over and over with videos of Kobe delivering MUCH WORSE elbows - all with no action from the league, and SURPRISE no comment from you.

Now you are badgering Rosalie over her very fair and legitimate concern that Richardson was the instigator, so he too should be held accountable with a game suspension. It makes no difference if KG hits him with an elbow or not. He had NO BUSINESS hovering over an injured player - and he was the first person who was wrong.

By your logic, if someone shoots a gun in a crowded mall or school yard - he has not committed a crime unless someone gets pissed off and shoots back? Solid thought process there.

We should probably wrap up this topic. All the arguments seem to have been presented. People are going to disagree; and, as totally impartial as everyone on this forum is, the opinions seem divided largely along the lines of team allegiances. I'm shocked!

KG's suspended. It's not going to change. Time to get into Celtics support mode.

Sam