Zach Randolph Suspended For Game 7

[jonathanlambert33]

The NBA suspended Zach Randolph one game for punching Steven Adams in the jaw during Thursday's game.

The incident occurred with 6:42 remaining in the Memphis Grizzlies' Game 6 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Via RealGM Staff Report

 

[buzzy]

Discuss: should they postpone suspensions like that until the next year for the sake of the product or not?

I'm a shit outta luck guy myself. Don't punch dudes.

 

[elcheato]

I'm with you. I'd be hesitant to suspend guys for playoff games, but not if you're out here punchin people.

 

[buzzy]

What about those that apparently almost cost Paul George a game?

 

[elcheato]

He shouldn't be suspended. Dumb rule

 

[RipCity32]

A rule nonetheless though. If you are going to remove it, then whatever. But the rule is in place right now, and George really should have been suspended. As dumb as it may have been. 
 
Like I said in the playoff thread, if it was LeBron the whole world would be asking for his head. And I feel like had that been like, Rasual Butler, he'd probably get suspended. 

 

[elcheato]

He literally stepped one foot off the bench and then moved back. You're essentially suspending him on a technicality instead of an incident. The rule did it's job, he didn't go any further. No punishment needed.

 

[RipCity32]

Well he didn't move back, he had to be pushed back. Who knows what would've happened had his coach not been there. 
 
But either way, to me, it was a violation of the rule. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

They've suspended guys for what Paul George did. If you leave the bench, suspension. Pretty simple.

But I don't think Randolph should have been suspended. Apparently if the refs tossed him during the game, no suspension.

 

[elcheato]

David Stern has suspended guys for a David Stern imposed rule. This is Adam Silver. George didn't even get a foot deep onto the court, and didn't escalate anything, didn't get involved, etc. just stood there. That's not a suspension.

You guys are interpreting it too literally. People should be happy Silver didn't suspend them.

"If you leave the bench". Everyone stood up from their seat, technically that is leaving the bench, as you're no longer on it.

 

[elcheato]

"It states: During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be suspended, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000.
"
It's very vague and left up to the interpretation of the one who decides the suspension.

 

[BwareDWare94]

The NBA needs to react to the shellacking the Thunder are going to give the Grizzlies in game 7, now, because it's not fair to us fans who pay to see their product to have players removed from these games.
 
It's been a phenomenal series. While I understand and agree with the suspension based on rules, the NBA should have done what's best for the fans and looked the other way, on this one. Stephen Adams didn't even fall over, wasn't hurt. Suspend Zack for 5 games at the start of the next season but don't decide a series with a suspension. 

 

[elcheato]

Then what's to stop other Grizz/OKC players from throwing punches tonight if they know they'll serve their suspension during meaningless games?

 

[BwareDWare94]

Then what's to stop other Grizz/OKC players from throwing punches tonight if they know they'll serve their suspension during meaningless games?

 
Who cares? The teams should be as close to 100% as possible if it's going to a game 7. 

And tack on an extreme fine with those suspensions, then. 
 
Just don't decide a great series with a suspension. 

 

[elcheato]

Because this isn't mixed martial arts, and the goal is to keep everyone in line and play basketball.

Your opinion would be different if this was a Thunder player getting suspended

 

[BwareDWare94]

No weakass punch should result in a suspension. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Totally on BWares side. What Randolph did shouldn't have led to a suspension.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Then what's to stop other Grizz/OKC players from throwing punches tonight if they know they'll serve their suspension during meaningless games?

Right, because anybody would turn into Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan when they find out they can punch someone and only lose a "meaningless" game.

 

[RipCity32]

IMO if you are gonna suspend ZBo, you should've suspended George as well.

 

[elcheato]

Right, because anybody would turn into Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan when they find out they can punch someone and only lose a "meaningless" game.

For someone who calls out people for twisting words, you seem to like to partake.

Yes, if an OKC player saw Randolph go unsuspended and they wanted to take revenge, they would be more likely to pull the trigger. What you're saying is the equivalent to saying sending out a warning after a hit batter in baseball doesn't stop retaliation.