RealGM

James Harden has been suspended one game without pay for kicking LeBron James, the NBA announced on Monday.

The incident occurred during the Houston Rockets' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

Via RealGM Staff Report

I had the feeling Lebron was issuing the order with his post-game comment saying "The league will look at it."
And not so much as a fine for his forearm to the chest pinning Beverley to the floor?
I guess he really does run the league.

BallerTalk wrote:I had the feeling Lebron was issuing the order with his post-game comment saying "The league will look at it."
And not so much as a fine for his forearm to the chest pinning Beverley to the floor?
I guess he really does run the league.

Eh, it was a good call though. You can't just kick a guy. At the same time, LeBron definitely instigated things throughout the game, such as that moment you BallerTalk mentioned, and the moment leading up to the kick, where in real-time, you can clearly see that he plunges Harden to the floor.

We say Harden flops, but LeBron's reaction was definitely overplayed, and it doesn't look like it was too bad of a hit to the groin. Any hit is too much, and that's why Harden's been suspended, but the dangers of what LeBron did there are just as real; imagine if Harden's whiplash -- at :23-:24* of the video below --resulted in a skull-crack against the hardwood? Sure, Harden has the abominal strength to prevent it from happening, but if he was just a bit more off-balance perhaps it would have happened.

Doesn't malice aforethought come into play? Is Harden's slightly-delayed reaction to LeBron's aggressive misuse of force less premeditated than LeBron's clearly in-the-moment anger, which seemed to stem from his inability to steal the possession from Harden in that moment? Maybe? Was Harden just kicking his leg up in defense, thinking LeBron would keep falling toward him? Perhaps LeBron was just making sure he didn't fall with Harden?

Are we judging our punishments based off of the damage done, or the malice intended? If it is with malice, and I were a betting man, I'd say they both deserved the same punishment. There's a lot of factors that come into play, but the fact is that what Harden did -- regardless of intent -- was more overt, and it was spurred on by LeBron's histrionics. It's really the fact that LeBron instigated this particular situation that makes me feel the judgment is a bit off-kilter.

* [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfYXkSAW1LM[/youtube]

Mobby wrote:

BallerTalk wrote:I had the feeling Lebron was issuing the order with his post-game comment saying "The league will look at it."
And not so much as a fine for his forearm to the chest pinning Beverley to the floor?
I guess he really does run the league.

Eh, it was a good call though. You can't just kick a guy. At the same time, LeBron definitely instigated things throughout the game, such as that moment you BallerTalk mentioned, and the moment leading up to the kick, where in real-time, you can clearly see that he plunges Harden to the floor.

We say Harden flops, but LeBron's reaction was definitely overplayed, and it doesn't look like it was too bad of a hit to the groin. Any hit is too much, and that's why Harden's been suspended, but the dangers of what LeBron did there are just as real; imagine if Harden's whiplash -- at :23-:24* of the video below --resulted in a skull-crack against the hardwood? Sure, Harden has the abominal strength to prevent it from happening, but if he was just a bit more off-balance perhaps it would have happened.

Are we judging our punishments based off of the damage done, or the malice intended? If it is with malice, and I were a betting man, I'd say they both deserved the same punishment.

I agree.
I just dislike the vibe that the kick was judged in a vacuum, independent of all other events, when that's not how it occurred.

On a slightly comical side-note, I'd also like to know how Corey Brewer and Lebron get into a shouting match but Brewer and Thompson get techs for it. I know I'm not the only one who noticed that.

This is total BS!!!! LBJ should be suspended at least 2 games for manhandling Beverly!!! The league should go back and look at that play and the aftermath, especially the aftermath. I obviously am not a fan of either team but I am a fan of the game! What LBJ did he should have been throw out of the game, to begin with. LBJ is a child, intellectually, he needs to be punished!

the in game flagrant foul was enough, he barely even hit him. Lebron was playing dirty and causing stuff all game. plus I would have probably kicked him off me too, after seeing what he did to Beverley

alienpick wrote:the in game flagrant foul was enough, he barely even hit him. Lebron was playing dirty and causing stuff all game. plus I would have probably kicked him off me too, after seeing what he did to Beverley

it should have been an ejection. Any punches thrown are automatic suspension/ejection. Deliberate kick to the groin should be no different. You can argue about Lebrons actions in the game, but thats a seperate issue

Tough one for Harden as he was only trying to check James for his overly aggressive play. the league is warranted in giving him a suspension. He can't react that way but at the same time I can't blame him because James clearly threw an extra shove at the end of the play. The NBA encourages this kind of behavior from James the way they protect him. He deserved his second technical but I knew there was no way he would get it.

What a game; playoff atmosphere is just around the corner...more of the same please!

bs suspension he wasnt even looking at leborn when he kicked him. got fouled a buncha times on that play then kicked his leg out in frustration. league's still on lebron's nuts and media hates the rockets so w/e

rocketsballin wrote:bs suspension he wasnt even looking at leborn when he kicked him. got fouled a buncha times on that play then kicked his leg out in frustration. league's still on lebron's nuts and media hates the rockets so w/e

I watched that play a bunch of times and I'm totally with you, Harden wasn't looking to kick him it was an accidental kick and the league is just paving the way for LeBron to get another MVP.

Wonder what Barkley is going to say about it on Thursday

hey now remember barkley got all the girls in high school. he got all the things that matter in life - girls, cocaine, donuts, wearing a dress for a commercial

bu treally remember lebron got 37pts on 35 shots. thats not good at all. #ariza defense

Anyone other than LeBron and it's just a fine. LeBron is the commissioner though so you gotta watch it.

The league's doing everything they can to protect the bitch. Should have been at least fined for what he did to Beverley. Instead he didn't even get an offensive foul called. Got away with a bunch of fouls in the Harden play too. He could have fouled out easily in that game.

league's bitch...
its the 8453456784329521298 time of lebron's backed by league/referees..
we wont see any season with FAIR management until lebron retires...

his defense is full of fouls but no-one is called. his charges on offense never called. we all know he doesnt need to dribble the ball since referees wont call traveling.

lebron isnt a MJ nor Kobe.
he is consantantly backed by league.

even FA signing, draft selection is changed for him. cavs getting 3 1st pick of last 4 year isnt a coincidence.
lebron couldnt win any championship with all league/referee helps and then league block the LAKERS/C.PAUL trade to stop Kobe and preparing miami and cavs projects for him. he got all young-franchise players where he goes.

dam y'all are drinking that 100 proof lebron haterade. i didnt know it was so cool to just kick dudes in the balls these days. that stuff doesnt fly where i come from. no matter the circumstances. period.