so wait, let me try to understand this, Ron Artest gets to play in game 7 ?

[rondohondo]

What a freakin joke ...

I thought for sure he was suspended for at least the first series , Stern is a scumbag , if this isn't a case of the NBA trying to effect the outcome of a series then I don't know what is .

 

[thestackshow]

Laker fans were trying to get Ron Artest amnestied earlier in the year, now they are couting on him to be their savior.

Ship be sinkin.

Lakers have Bryant, Gasol and Bynum. If those three cant will their team to a win what makes you think Ron Artest can.

[Fafnir]

He was suspended 7 games total, the Lakers had a regular season game remaining so it has always just been the first 6 games of the playoffs.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Yeah, it's correct, he's served his time ... but his suspension should've been significantly longer.

[rondohondo]

He was suspended 7 games total, the Lakers had a regular season game remaining so it has always just been the first 6 games of the playoffs.

Yea, so stern made sure Artest would be able to play in a game 7 if there was one , which makes him a scumbag

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

This is why I said (kinda half kidding) that Fakers threw some of the games with Denver... they don't want to play OKC w/o Metta... he is still a great defender which they will need for any chance against OKC... they don't want to play multiple games against them without him.

[Donoghus]

Freak conincidence. 

Before the playoffs started, I don't think many people thought that series would be going 7 games and assumed he'd miss the first round plus a game or two in the 2nd round.

[Chelm]

Freak conincidence. 

Before the playoffs started, I don't think many people thought that series would be going 7 games and assumed he'd miss the first round plus a game or two in the 2nd round.

This.  Plus, he hasn't played in two weeks; I'd almost argue that it'd be better to bring him off the bench.

Regardless, they're in trouble this year if it takes them 7 games (assuming they even win) to get past Denver...

[theswitch]

This is why I said (kinda half kidding) that Fakers threw some of the games with Denver... they don't want to play OKC w/o Metta... he is still a great defender which they will need for any chance against OKC... they don't want to play multiple games against them without him.

They would've had Artest for OKC if they had won last night.

[pearljammer10]

Its easy to understand... He was suspended for 7 games. His suspension was up after game 6. So yes, he gets to play in game 7... Any further questions?

[rondohondo]

Freak conincidence.  

Before the playoffs started, I don't think many people thought that series would be going 7 games and assumed he'd miss the first round plus a game or two in the 2nd round.

This.  Plus, he hasn't played in two weeks; I'd almost argue that it'd be better to bring him off the bench.

Regardless, they're in trouble this year if it takes them 7 games (assuming they even win) to get past Denver...

How is it a freak coincidence ? What stern cant count to 8? I don't care if people thought it would be a short 1st rnd series, you have to penalize "World Peace of.." at least the length of a full first round series . So Stern lets him play in the most crucial game of the 1st rnd , which will also be a warm up game before playing OKC in the 2nd round, gee what a penalty . So this guy can just go around bashing peoples heads in on the court , but that's ok Ron we'll make sure you play in the biggest games where your team needs you the most . 

If the den/la series had ended in 4 or 5 games then he has to sit 3 or 4 games of the 2nd round which would have been justifiable because thats the team that he took a cheap shot against .

[Donoghus]

Freak conincidence.  

Before the playoffs started, I don't think many people thought that series would be going 7 games and assumed he'd miss the first round plus a game or two in the 2nd round.

This.  Plus, he hasn't played in two weeks; I'd almost argue that it'd be better to bring him off the bench.

Regardless, they're in trouble this year if it takes them 7 games (assuming they even win) to get past Denver...

How is it a freak coincidence ? What stern cant count to 8? I don't care if people thought it would be a short 1st rnd series, you have to penalize "World Peace of.." at least the length of a full first round series . So Stern lets him play in the most crucial game of the 1st rnd , which will also be a warm up game before playing OKC in the 2nd round, gee what a penalty . So this guy can just go around bashing peoples heads in on the court , but that's ok Ron we'll make sure you play in the biggest games where your team needs you the most . 

If the den/la series had ended in 4 or 5 games then he has to sit 3 or 4 games of the 2nd round which would have been justifiable because thats the team that he took a cheap shot against .

He served his suspension.  He just happens to be coming back when its for a Game 7.  There are several scenarios that could've occured where that wouldn't have been the case.  Hence, a coincidence or whatever you feel like calling it.

I'm certainly not worked up about it and could care less. 

He served his time.

[belgian c fan]

the question i have is, did the lakers threw some games away in order to have him playing all the games in the second round? Feeling comfortably that when they really want to win, they can put denver away. I tend to believe this is the case.

[CelticSooner]

If you have been watching the LA/Denver series you will know the Lakers weren't tanking anything. Nuggets started wearing the Lakers down over the series. Lakers are not a good shooting team and their bigs are getting outplayed by McGee and Faried.

[LooseCannon]

the question i have is, did the lakers threw some games away in order to have him playing all the games in the second round?

Only a moron would intentionally lose to get to a game 7.  Consider the real possibility of losing game 7, the chance of injury from playing unnecessary games, the general wear and tear, and the possibility that they would have to play a second-round back-to-back (as the Spurs are looking at if Clippers-Grizz go seven games) with the least possible rest.  The Lakers would have to be the dumbest team in the league to throw away games in an attempt to have Artest available for the second round.