Will Alston be Suspended for Game 3???

[kmgarnett21]

Boston should send tape to league!!!! I just had to do it with all the crap Chicago made about us in the first round. But Rondo's "slap" was during a key play while he was trying to prevent a basket during an actual play.

Alston's slap was AFTER Eddie made a 3. Eddie was just running back up the court, didn't look like he bumped Alston or said anything, and wham, Alston just slapped him in the back of the head. No, it wasn't a "punch" but come on. If the NBA doesn't suspend Alston, does that mean it's ok to start slappin each other around???

He HAS to be suspended right?


And I love it how the REFS didn't realize what was going on until Eddie and Alston were chest to chest. Why didn't they see Alston slap him? It was less than a second after Eddie hit the shot. Even I saw it live when it happened and it was in the bottom right corner of the tv screen. What the crap refs??? Then they give double techs? They should've given House a tech and kicked Alston out of the game.

[wetsthebed]

Probably not, he'll be fined. Plus he sucks so whatever.

[pballa]

no, and i dont want him to be.

[NetsForce]

I would hope that he's not, given that Rondo wasn't suspended for his hit on Brad Miller, or WWF move on Hinrich I think for the sake of consistency it would be best for the league NOT to suspend Alston...

A fine on the other hand is probably warranted, for as annoying as Eddie House can be what Rafer did was still a douche move.

[Avalanche]

fined probably

it wouldnt be worth all the **** we would have to read about double standards if he was anyway

[Celtics_Champs]

Why would anyone not want to see Rafer suspended? Their backup PG's are Anthony Johnson, and Tyrone freaking Lue. Rondo and Marbs would torch them.

Rondo should've been suspended for his little pushing match. I was shocked he wasn't. Rafer should be suspended for this, but he probably won't be.

[caffeinated]

Nah, I don't think he should be suspended. Probably should be fined, though. He lost his cool and threw a slap, but there was no damage done whatsoever.

And honestly, if you weigh Alston's infraction against the fouls that Rondo committed in the Bulls series, but did not get suspended for, how could an Alston suspension possibly be justified.

I dunno... Just my $0.02

[amaj10]

I think he will be without a doubt. Rondo's fouls were on basketball plays... yeah they were late, and over the top, but still on plays. Skip To My Lou's could've incited a riot.

[GreenMachine]

Nah, I don't think he should be suspended. Probably should be fined, though. He lost his cool and threw a slap, but there was no damage done whatsoever.

And honestly, if you weigh Alston's infraction against the fouls that Rondo committed in the Bulls series, but did not get suspended for, how could an Alston suspension possibly be justified.

I dunno... Just my $0.02

I don't care what happens... but for the record... Rondo was making a play on the ball. Alston was making a play on Eddies HEAD. I give Eddie props for keeping his cool. A lot of guys would have started a brawl at that point.

[Rocky5000]

No. No reason to suspend him, nobody got hurt. If he had punched him, I could see a suspension. It's just an unprofessional move by Alston.

[Green Menace]

I would hope that he's not, given that Rondo wasn't suspended for his hit on Brad Miller, or WWF move on Hinrich I think for the sake of consistency it would be best for the league NOT to suspend Alston...

A fine on the other hand is probably warranted, for as annoying as Eddie House can be what Rafer did was still a douche move.

Wich Bull´s player should´ve been suspended for Pierce´s 10 stiches in the nose?

I bet you don´t know

[Scalamental]

It would be weak if he was suspended for that. There's an elbow from an 7 footer and then there's a slap on the back of a head from a big puss who just got "his ass busted". I can see him getting fined just because it was blatant.

Edit: hahaha caffeinated's sig ftw!

[gpguy25]

Yes he will be you dont hit people in the head i dont care if its a slap. Ask Melo if he'll get suspended i mean melo was for slapping what his name a few years ago.

[DorfonCeltics]

I'm sorry but anyone who is calling for a suspension is such a pussy. It was a friggen love tap, probably out of frustration for getting smoked all night. Honestly, the NBA is going to hell if Rafer get's suspended. My guess is a $5-10K fine and that's it. What he did does NOT warrant a suspension.

[celticfan42487]

I see no difference between Rondo's pulling and throwing of Hinrich and Alston's slapping of House on the back of the head.

[threrf23]

My bet is actually that he will get suspended, and I don't see anything wrong with that. It was after a play and not in the heat of a moment and seemingly unprovoked and it didn't occur while one player was in the process of guarding another and Alston aimed for Rondo's head. i.e. Rondo's push would have been different if he and Hinrich weren't already battling for position and he went out of his way to target Hinrich, grab him by the neck, and push him (even lightly). Plus if you don't suspend Alston an argument is provoked over what constitutes a 'swing.'

If we are coming up on game 6/7 and/or Alston is a truly key player for Orlando, there is debate I bet. But I think this will be an easy decision for David Stern & Co. The league takes intent into account and where intent exists the issue becomes whether or not it could have provoked a fight. What Alston did, if the league is to be consistent, should be an almost no-brainer suspension IMO.

[SonicYouth34]

Nah. Eddie should be a free slap next game though.

[Banks2Pierce]

Nah, I don't like suspensions. Give him a fine. Would I be surprised if he was suspended: absolutely not. This is the kind of stuff that starts brawls. He just made himself look even more foolish for getting owned on D.

[drsd]

Magic fan here:

Alston took a swing. The league rules are clear.

[Visirale]

Magic fan here:

Alston took a swing. The league rules are clear.

Obviously not clear enough when it involves Rondo.