Randolph suspended for 2 games.

[PlinkingPanda]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... _amundson/

Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers has been suspended two games without pay for striking Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Randolph was assessed a Technical Foul and was also ejected, occurred with 32.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns 140-100 victory over the Clippers at US Airways Center on Feb. 17.

Randolph will begin serving his suspension tonight when the Clippers host the Suns at Staples Center.

It's a bit low in my opinion. Should have probably been 5 games or so since Zach was doing it all.. I still don't know what Amundson did, but yeah.. The schmucks over at the general board want 15 and are comparing it to the Den/NYK incident.

[illastrate]

What about the Suns fan that came in here saying it should be 20-25? Are you kidding me? KG got 1 game for punching Bogut, and yes, this was a more blatant punch, but anything more than 5 is not consistent with previous suspensions of this nature recently.

However, we are lucky it's ONLY 2 games.

[clipperfan4life]

it looks like we're gonna get raped again today

[PlinkingPanda]

Are you kidding me? KG got 1 game for punching Bogut

However, we are lucky it's ONLY 2 games.

Uh, there is a huge difference between borderline slapping somebody in the face with an open fist, compared to Randolph, who literally decked him with a closed fist. Big difference. Look at the Bogut play, that was nothing compared to what that idiot, Z-Bo did. You guys have some great young talent, and Camby is still very good, but Z-Bo will just hold this team down.

I wouldn't really call it a "deck" since Amundson just staggered back. He wasn't even in any pain. Didn't see him hold his face after the impact either.

[JJ LoDuca]

Two games seems about right to me. I thought it would be more, but I think two is pretty fair. The NBA needs to cool it when it comes to punishing players for on-court altercations, and like illastrate eluded to, they've been shortening suspensions for things like this recently. I'll take 2.

[mattfish]

Ugh, Z-Bo... will there be a miracle that you will get traded before Friday?

[EMB6903]

considering Melo got 15 games for an open hand slap I think this is a complete joke, Im not trying to troll or anything but Im shocked over just 2 games...

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I was thinking he would get between 2 and 5. And that Melo situation a few years ago was totally different.

[mkwest]

It's fair imo. I was thinking that 5 should be the most, but gearing up for more.

[EMB6903]

I was thinking he would get between 2 and 5. And that Melo situation a few years ago was totally different.

and why is that?

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I remember that Knicks/Nuggets confrontation involved so many players and people were wrestling on the ground. It just looked much worse than what Randolph did. It just seems like what Randolph did was really stupid.

[TXSun]

I'll tell you one thing, 2 games is enough but the Clipps should consider taking more action here. Randolph punching a bench player pretty much tells me he quit on his team. The're was no need for that, he just quit and the fastest way to do it was to go punch a guy.

[StutterStep]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedit ... 6276.story

Middle of page explains his mindset. His father is critically ill. He found out in the locker room before the game. Later in the article, there is claim that Randolph/Admunson had gotten tangled up earlier.

[illastrate]

Randolph earned a two-game suspension without pay from the league, which handed down the decision earlier Wednesday. He was not at Staples Center, nor would he allowed to have been on hand because of the suspension. Instead, Randolph was back home in Indiana, attending to a family emergency.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy, while not condoning Randolph's action, gave some insight into his player's frame of mind. Apparently Randolph learned his father was critically ill shortly before the game in Phoenix.

"Obviously you don't want anybody doing that," Dunleavy said. "But he found out before the game, literally in the locker room before the game, about his dad.

"He was trying to figure out if he could play in last night's game, or tonight's game."

Randolph was able to get back to Indianapolis, which is where his father is hospitalized. He spoke on the telephone to Dunleavy and apologized after the suspension was handed down.

"He said to me, 'Coach, I'm sorry. I had a lot going through my head,' " Dunleavy said.

Suns interim coach Alvin Gentry, a former Clippers coach, called it an "unfortunate incident," but he was aware of Randolph's family crisis and expressed his concern. Gentry, who took over the Suns on Monday, is 2-0, both wins coming against the Clippers.

"I know Zach has other problems that he is dealing with now. . . . When you find out someone you love is suffering from a terminal [condition] . . . " Gentry said.

He is human, man. Who can think straight in this situation? Not condoning his actions, just saying. Stay up, Z-Bo.

[PlinkingPanda]

That's a shame. :/

[mj_shoefanatic]

So glad it's only for two games.

[SD2042]

Really unfortunate that Z-Bo and his fam are going through a dire situation with his dad being hospitalized and all. My thoughts and prayers to him and his fam.

[mkwest]

My thoughts and prayers are with he and his family as well. I would have preferred to him have handled things differently, but the circumstances leading up to everything does put his actions more into perspective. I just hope that he will use more discretion in the future.