Barnes dissing NBA for just 2 game suspension on JR

[crimson_stallion]

yea, you have to wonder if he landed a lucky blow, or well - accidental, if he thought Crowder was closer to him and his move was intended to push Crowder off his back. 

IMHO there is no question about it - the speed and force with which he threw that arm, no way that was intended to push Crowder off. 

When you're trying to push someone off (if you know they are near you) you tend to stick youre forearm out slowly but firmly.  Even if you're pushing off, you tend to extend your hand/arm slowly but strongly. 

In this case it's very clear that he swung his arm with a lot of speed and force behind it, and with a closed fist - to me it's extremely clear that it was an intentional attempt to swing a hit at somebody (and we can only assume that's Crowder).

[danglertx]

I agree with Barnes completely. 

It really feels like the NBA wanted to let him go without a suspension at all so as not to affect the team in the playoffs, but then knew there was no way they could get away with it - so they gave him the bare minimum they possibly could given the nature off the 'play'. 

I've definitely seen players get the same (or more) time for lesser offences.   

I don't agree with the punishment either, but then again CLE probably thinks Kelly's 1 game suspension is too little as well

Hell yes - so far the Clevleand responses I've seen have ranged from "10 games" to "40 games" to "all of next season" to "he should miss as many games as Love does, that's the only way it's fair".

I'm just gonna throw this out there, has any player ever been suspended for a non flagrant foul.  It wasn't upgraded as far as I know.  Just a common foul he gets suspended for.  Not a punch, not an elbow, not an unsportsman like play such as stepping on someone or grabbing Jimmy Johnson, which surprisingly has happened multiple times. 

I can't think of a single other case where a player got suspended solely on the result of the play.  Love could have had a partially separated shoulder already, or damaged in some way.  It isn't like KO grabbed his arm and then dropped to the ground with all of his body weight.  It has to be the most bizarre suspension in the history of the NBA.

[crimson_stallion]

I agree with Barnes completely. 

It really feels like the NBA wanted to let him go without a suspension at all so as not to affect the team in the playoffs, but then knew there was no way they could get away with it - so they gave him the bare minimum they possibly could given the nature off the 'play'. 

I've definitely seen players get the same (or more) time for lesser offences.   

I don't agree with the punishment either, but then again CLE probably thinks Kelly's 1 game suspension is too little as well

Hell yes - so far the Clevleand responses I've seen have ranged from "10 games" to "40 games" to "all of next season" to "he should miss as many games as Love does, that's the only way it's fair".

I'm just gonna throw this out there, has any player ever been suspended for a non flagrant foul.  It wasn't upgraded as far as I know.  Just a common foul he gets suspended for.  Not a punch, not an elbow, not an unsportsman like play such as stepping on someone or grabbing Jimmy Johnson, which surprisingly has happened multiple times. 

I can't think of a single other case where a player got suspended solely on the result of the play.  Love could have had a partially separated shoulder already, or damaged in some way.  It isn't like KO grabbed his arm and then dropped to the ground with all of his body weight.  It has to be the most bizarre suspension in the history of the NBA.

I agree, it makes all of about zero sense.

Clearly a case of a key fan-favorite star gets hurt, the fans are upset, so the league has to respond in some way just to keep the fans happy.

Plus don't want to upset Lebron, the great Messiah and poster child.