Will Paul George be suspended for stepping on court during scuffle?

[sed522002]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2048667-atlantas-mike-scott-and-pacers-george-hill-get-double-technicals-after-shoves?

Atlanta's Mike Scott and Indiana's George Hill got chippy in the first half of Game 6 after some physical play eventually boiled over and resulted in a face-to-face confrontation.

Both players received technicals for their involvement.

Atlanta Fox Sports radio host Charles Olson believes that Pacers star Paul George should face punishment for stepping on the court during the scuffle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kDiiPRXA5A

What do you guys think? Is this another test for Silver, do you go by the letter of the rule?

[Vox_Populi]

That was barely anything.

I expect the Hawks to send the NBA a video of it.

[sed522002]

That was barely anything.

I expect the Hawks to send the NBA a video of it.

Ha Ha...good one. Danny Ferry is good for that.

[BballTim]

  He'll probably get a lifetime ban.

  Oops! Wrong thread.

[pearljammer10]

There's no way.

[sed522002]

There's no way.

I don't think he should either.some people were bringing up the Stoudemire/Diaw suspensions in 2007 that were similar, I guess.

[sed522002]

Guess it's already answered by Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson ‏@StuJackson32  11m
During George Hill @mikescott altercation @Paul_George24 @RasualButler45 leave bench. George still in vicinity, Butler is not=1 gm susp

[saltlover]

Good play by Butler to run out ahead of Paul George, a) slowing him down and b) giving Jackson some room for discretion.

Don't know how Scott got away with a single technical foul as part of a double-tech for a two handed push to Hill's face. Should have at least gotten tossed from the current game.  They were both jawing, and Hill pointed his finger right in Scott's face, but that's a lot of retaliation, especially given that started it by throwing Hill into the photographers on the rebound.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Good play by Butler to run out ahead of Paul George, a) slowing him down and b) giving Jackson some room for discretion.

Don't know how Scott got away with a single technical foul as part of a double-tech for a two handed push to Hill's face. Should have at least gotten tossed from the current game.  They were both jawing, and Hill pointed his finger right in Scott's face, but that's a lot of retaliation, especially given that started it by throwing Hill into the photographers on the rebound.

People have received flagrants for accidentally touching people in the face while going for a block... how does he get away with mushing both hands into Hill's face (AFTER game action)? You can't review that tape and come away with just a tech, that's crazy.

[SparzWizard]

Only way that can save ATL's season is having Paul George suspended for Game 7, and I hope that happens!

Rasual Butler is a nobody at this point.

[Celtics4ever]

He broke the rules he should be gone.  From the way he was walking he was not trying to break up anything.   I think with Silver being new he may go hardcore to set an example.   This series is doo doo and it will help the HEAT whom the league has spent millions marketing.

[saltlover]

They changed the rules a little bit to allow for more discretion.  He was already standing up and the fight occurred in front of him, so he was considered to have not left the bench area.  It could have gone either way for him, certainly, and he's lucky that a coach held him back and Butler went further out on the floor to be the scapegoat, but the NBA has finally learned to try to not suspend players on the bench who don't really join a scrum.

[Roy H.]

Stu Jackson doesn't make these calls anymore, guys.  He's an ESPN analyst. 

The decision is still pending.

[Celtics18]

I really hope Mike Scott doesn't get a suspension.  I feel like these things have to be looked at in context.  This wasn't Nene against Jimmy Butler. Hill got in his face, and it looked to me like he just wanted to get away from the situation.  Sure, he made contact to the face, but it didn't look very vicious or overly aggressive to me. 

Also, don't suspend Paul George for game seven.  That would be an absolute travesty.  I can't see them doing that.  The NBA is in this to get ratings and make money, right?

You can't suspend one of the league's biggest superstars for a game seven for taking a couple of steps off the bench, can you?

[fairweatherfan]

He broke the rules he should be gone.  From the way he was walking he was not trying to break up anything.   I think with Silver being new he may go hardcore to set an example.   This series is doo doo and it will help the HEAT whom the league has spent millions marketing.

The rule is that he can't leave "the vicinity of the bench area".  It's a not a "the court is hot lava" rule, being on it isn't a problem itself.

Looking at the clip George is never more than 4-5 feet from the bench area and never gets close to the altercation.  There was a similar play in that 07 Suns-Spurs series where I think Parker and someone else took a single step toward the court during a tiff and got no suspension.  He'll be fine.