Rondo suspended for possible Game 7? (UPDATE: Rondo will play in Game 7)

[BballTim]

From my understanding, a suspension isn't *mandatory*, because the "elbow strike" didn't connect above Hinrich's head.  However, it's very possible that the league interprets that as a thrown punch, and suspends him.

If they do...  I can't blame them.  If the situation was in reverse, I'd want the guy tossed or suspended.  It's a punk move, frankly.

  Did Rondo make any contact at all with his elbow?

[MrTripleDouble10]

From my understanding, a suspension isn't *mandatory*, because the "elbow strike" didn't connect above Hinrich's head.  However, it's very possible that the league interprets that as a thrown punch, and suspends him.

If they do...  I can't blame them.  If the situation was in reverse, I'd want the guy tossed or suspended.  It's a punk move, frankly.

Punk move!  Hilarious.

[markketch]

From my understanding, a suspension isn't *mandatory*, because the "elbow strike" didn't connect above Hinrich's head.  However, it's very possible that the league interprets that as a thrown punch, and suspends him.

If they do...  I can't blame them.  If the situation was in reverse, I'd want the guy tossed or suspended.  It's a punk move, frankly.

  Did Rondo make any contact at all with his elbow?

You don't need to make contact, the mere act of "throwing" it can be enough. 

Not sure what they'll do, but all I know is Dwight Howard is going to be mighty p---ed if Rondo gets to play in Game 7.

[BballTim]

From my understanding, a suspension isn't *mandatory*, because the "elbow strike" didn't connect above Hinrich's head.  However, it's very possible that the league interprets that as a thrown punch, and suspends him.

If they do...  I can't blame them.  If the situation was in reverse, I'd want the guy tossed or suspended.  It's a punk move, frankly.

  Did Rondo make any contact at all with his elbow?

You don't need to make contact, the mere act of "throwing" it can be enough. 

Not sure what they'll do, but all I know is Dwight Howard is going to be mighty ****ed if Rondo gets to play in Game 7.

  I thought the reason Hoard didn't get ejected was that the refs didn't see his elbow make contact with Damenbert. I can't believe people are comparing Howard taking a swing at someone who wasn't even looking and Rondo, who probably didn't make contact and may not have even thrown an elbow.

[markketch]

I thought the reason Hoard didn't get ejected was that the refs didn't see his elbow make contact with Damenbert. I can't believe people are comparing Howard taking a swing at someone who wasn't even looking and Rondo, who probably didn't make contact and may not have even thrown an elbow.

Yes, the rule is that contact needs to be made for the automatic ejection during the game.  However, I believe the league is at liberty to review plays and issue a suspension based on other criteria. So the throw coupled with a thrown elbow (that didn't land) may be enough to suspend him.

Edit: this is what I'm thinking of

k. A technical foul, unsportsmanlike act or flagrant foul must be called for a participant to be ejected. A player, coach or trainer may be ejected for:
(1) An elbow foul which makes contact shoulder level or below
(2) Any unsportsmanlike conduct where a technical foul is assessed
(3) A flagrant foul where unnecessary and/or excessive contact occurs

[the_Bird]

I see a guy that's being pushed out of bounds.  Hinrich goes out of bounds mostly because of his own momentum; Rondo was pulling his arm free, which meant that Hinrich was pulled a little out of the way, but Rondo didn't THROW him out of bounds.  The kid's not Oakley.

[markketch]

I see a guy that's being pushed out of bounds.  Hinrich goes out of bounds mostly because of his own momentum; Rondo was pulling his arm free, which meant that Hinrich was pulled a little out of the way, but Rondo didn't THROW him out of bounds.  The kid's not Oakley.

Dude, come on now...

[footey]

I think, in a vacuum, Rondo would not be suspended. However, given the prior game interpretation in favor of Rondo, their will be alot of pressure on the league to come down on the hard side this time. That is my gut feeling on this.

[libermaniac]

If they suspend Rondo it will be REALLY unfair.  Although I believe he deserves to be based on what he did, the ref in the game last night should have ejected him for last night's game.  Then, they would have lost without having to play so many minutes, and they'd be rested for game 7.  The ref looked at the replay, so if he ruled it a flagrant 1, then that needs to stand.  It's not as if it was something that happened that the ref didn't see. 

[SaCaCh]

at the same time this series has become historic and to remove the player who has played the best would be criminal and I think Stern knows that. I think they want to leave the series as it is and let the best team win.

[Cman]

I don't believe that they will suspend either Rondo or Heinrich.  This series is the best thing the NBA has going for itself right now.

[fairweatherfan]

When it happened live I thought it was a suspension for sure, but I think there's no way now.  The play didn't look nearly as bad on replay, and the fact that it happened in the 1st quarter of a 3-OT game means the media and fans aren't gonna be talking much about it today.  Plus as others have mentioned the NBA wants a full-strength Game 7.

[Roy Hobbs]

... and the fact that it happened in the 1st quarter of a 3-OT game means the media and fans aren't gonna be talking much about it today.

There's probably a lot of truth to this.  The NBA *shouldn't* be motivated by media coverage, but I have no doubt that it is.

[Thruthelookingglass]

When it happened live I thought it was a suspension for sure, but I think there's no way now.  The play didn't look nearly as bad on replay, and the fact that it happened in the 1st quarter of a 3-OT game means the media and fans aren't gonna be talking much about it today.  Plus as others have mentioned the NBA wants a full-strength Game 7.

I finally watched the play itself and I would have been hard-pressed NOT to toss Hinrich into the table.  Hinrich had ridden Rondo out for about fifteen feet until Rondo gave him a little momentum assist.

[CelticsWhat35]

I can't believe what Rondo did is being compared to what Dwight Howard did.  Give me a break.  Howard took a full swinging motion and elbowed the guy in the head.  Rondo didn't come close to making a full swinging motion, and Hinrich wasn't close enough for it to matter anyway.

But just like Bulls fans were trying to ignore the end result of game 5 and harp on the Miller foul, we're all doing the same thing.  Talking about something that happened in the 1st quarter of a triple OT thriller.