I know there's plenty of CB members and guests who play the sport at the pickup level. Probabaly a few who even played in college or beyond. To me this is where it hits home. Artest is that guy on the other team who's bigger and less co-ordinated, who's maybe lost a step. Or maybe he's a football player just there to stay in shape. Either way he's the one on the court out of control. A complete wild card.
This isnt a sport you step on the court and your goal is to hurt someone. Its a part of the game and it happens but it shouldn't be your goal to severely maim or injure your oppnenet. Not in this game anyway. And i for one beleive he's toed that line far too often, and for far too long.
And yes i believe in hard playoff fouls. But within reason. One the guy should have the ball in his hands. Was Harden even holding the rock? Nope. To me theres a big difference between a hard foul and a balatant cheap shot. When a guy continuously crosses that line i just think more should be done. Unless again as i said before you plan on bringing back the NBA of the 80's. Which Stern is not so i think the punishment was far too lenient. And yes i do think that reflects a clear and blatant laker bias in this league, sorry.