UPDATE: MWP suspended 7 games

[Slava]

Just when you thought he was getting into a nice rhythm.. knowing how long he takes to find his groove back, I pretty much think he'll be a total non-factor for the rest of the season.

Sucks but pretty good for Barnes and Ebanks I guess in their contract seasons.

[RamonSessions7]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

Bingo, nobody (at least mostly nobody), is really defending what Ron did, just pointing out that Harden placed himself in a situation that had nothing to do with normal basketball play.

[snaquille oatmeal]

not horrendous, global fair. not saying that the driver or Artest don't deserve what's coming to them they do, but Harden does not have the moral higher ground.

I don't see how that matters in the slightest. I mean, I've said repeatedly that I don't think Artest was intentionally trying to hurt anybody. But unfortunately for him and us, that doesn't matter in the slightest, either. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me to blame Harden for getting smashed in the face with an elbow. Seems kind of like blaming a **** victim for wearing a short skirt...

what if the short skirt wearing girl purposely goes into a place where she knows she will get raped? to be fair you have to consider that she bears some responsibilities. one is to make the call not to go into a rape layer. it's common sense.

[Kilroy]

I've been reading some of the stuff on the GB, and in this thread, and getting defensive about it, too. As usual, most are totally overreacting.

At the same time, I just can't imagine how every single one of you guys defending Ron wouldn't be foaming at the mouth with rage if Harden had done that to Kobe.

Sorry, but that's straight-up hypocrisy to me.

No one is really defending MWP... We pretty much all think he deserves some kind of suspension...

But 'Banned from the League' is laughable... And done for the season including playoffs seems ridiculous too...

Honestly, the only reason for Harden to be where he was was either to try to draw a foul or to start something with Artest.

If Kobe ran up on Harden while he was celebrating a play and got caught with an inadvertent, if viciously thrown, elbow... I'd still say 3 days...

I'd think Harden was even more of a tool than I already think he is, but I just don't think MWP was trying to hurt anyone...

[BEazy]

reminds of that simpsons episode where bart and lisa are indiscriminately throwing kicks and elbows and tell each other its your own fault if you get in way and get hit.

Haha I rmr that episode..

[Sedale Threatt]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

Well, as dock just explained so well, even if Harden was trying to be an irritant, and even if Ron wasn't intentionally trying to clock him -- and I believe that's probably what happened -- it still doesn't excuse the end result. No matter what the circumstances, you just can't have guys smashing people in the head with elbows.

As I've said multiple times, how would people feel if the situation was reversed, and Kobe was on the receiving end? Would some of you feel the same way?

[snaquille oatmeal]

I've been reading some of the stuff on the GB, and in this thread, and getting defensive about it, too. As usual, most are totally overreacting.

At the same time, I just can't imagine how every single one of you guys defending Ron wouldn't be foaming at the mouth with rage if Harden had done that to Kobe.

Sorry, but that's straight-up hypocrisy to me.

I'm not defending Ron at all.

[dockingsched]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

something was def. premeditated, and it was to be a freaking pest/annoyance. so what though?

[Kalidogg24]

IMO if he is suspended more than 2-3 games this league is turning into the WNBA.
In the 80's this was like a everyday thang.

I think majority of RealGm wouldn't be crying and bitching about this if the Lakers would of lost today.

[Kilroy]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

Well, as dock just explained so well, even if Harden was trying to be an irritant, and even if Ron wasn't intentionally trying to clock him -- and I believe that's probably what happened -- it still doesn't excuse the end result. No matter what the circumstances, you just can't have guys smashing people in the head with elbows.

As I've said multiple times, how would people feel if the situation was reversed, and Kobe was on the receiving end? Would some of you feel the same way?

We still aren't defending Ron for throwing a wild elbow that accidentally connected with Harden... He deserves some kind of punishment for that... Just not a ridiculous one...

And yes... I'd feel the same way if the roles were reversed... But Harden isn't the best player on OKC... So let's say Pau...

[RamonSessions7]

IMO if he is suspended more than 2-3 games this league is turning into the WNBA.
In the 80's this was like a everyday thang.

I think majority of RealGm wouldn't be crying and bitching about this if the Lakers would of lost today.

I think it's guaranteed to be longer than that. Jason Smith got 2 games for running hard into Griffin on a much smaller stage.

[Sedale Threatt]

I'm not defending Ron at all.

So then how does Harden's role matter in the slightest?

[BEazy]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

Well, as dock just explained so well, even if Harden was trying to be an irritant, and even if Ron wasn't intentionally trying to clock him -- and I believe that's probably what happened -- it still doesn't excuse the end result. No matter what the circumstances, you just can't have guys smashing people in the head with elbows.

As I've said multiple times, how would people feel if the situation was reversed, and Kobe was on the receiving end? Would some of you feel the same way?

It has happened when Kobe nose broke in the All-Star break. Sure we were mad but he came back and still played. Harden the same way he came back and could of still played.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

Well, as dock just explained so well, even if Harden was trying to be an irritant, and even if Ron wasn't intentionally trying to clock him -- and I believe that's probably what happened -- it still doesn't excuse the end result. No matter what the circumstances, you just can't have guys smashing people in the head with elbows.

As I've said multiple times, how would people feel if the situation was reversed, and Kobe was on the receiving end? Would some of you feel the same way?

yes i would feel the same way, however, it is unlikely because when Kobe wants to be irritant he'll score on you. Sasha on the other hand I wanted somebody to put him in his place so he realize that he sucked on defense.

[Sedale Threatt]

We still aren't defending Ron for throwing a wild elbow that accidentally connected with Harden... He deserves some kind of punishment for that... Just not a ridiculous one...

I agree with this 100 percent. As always, the GB never fails when it comes to over-reaction.

And yes... I'd feel the same way if the roles were reversed... But Harden isn't the best player on OKC... So let's say Pau...

Sorry, but I find that highly, highly unlikely. If so, I think it's safe to assume you'd be very much in the minority.

[Kilroy]

Sedale it was a bone head move on Metta, but it was also a dick move on Harden to even cross his path. Something was premeditated about that from Harden, but nobody will own up to it. Somebody needs to ask Harden what the hell he was thinking ? I'd love to hear what he was trying to do basketball wise for the next play.

something was def. premeditated, and it was to be a freaking pest/annoyance. so what though?

It doesn't really matter, as long as you agree that Ron wasn't specifically trying to elbow Harden in the head because he was angry at him...

But I'm guessing if Ron had missed, or had just shoved Harden, there would have been Double-T's...

Ron was just running down the court on with the ball not even in play.

[Sedale Threatt]

It has happened when Kobe nose broke in the All-Star break. Sure we were mad but he came back and still played. Harden the same way he came back and could of still played.

Concussions are no joke. Let's assume it was more serious. As I just said to kilroy, I'm more than a little skeptical that people would be so willing to blow it off.

[Jetset]

It has happened when Kobe nose broke in the All-Star break. Sure we were mad but he came back and still played. Harden the same way he came back and could of still played.

Concussions are no joke. Let's assume it was more serious. As I just said to kilroy, I'm more than a little skeptical that people would be so willing to blow it off.

They wouldn't. If Kobe had been elbowed like that and kept out of the game, a plot to burn the state of Oklahoma would've been hatched on this board. Ringleader, DEEP3CL.

[Slava]

It has happened when Kobe nose broke in the All-Star break. Sure we were mad but he came back and still played. Harden the same way he came back and could of still played.

Concussions are no joke. Let's assume it was more serious. As I just said to kilroy, I'm more than a little skeptical that people would be so willing to blow it off.

They wouldn't. If Kobe had been elbowed like that and kept out of the game, a plot to burn the state of Oklahoma would've been hatched on this board. Ringleader, DEEP3CL.

[uner]

It was clearly intentional. See MWP feel Harden before he cocks back and swings? Yeah. He knows Harden is there. Take off your purple and gold-colored glasses and open your eyes.