Will IT get suspended? Update : no suspension

[Drucci]

I thought at the time of the play that his slap was not enough to get suspended but now that I've rewatched it, I'm not so sure at it really looks intentional and could be interpreted (though it's a stretch in my opinion) as a "punch".

Here is the play :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ryG82bl6M

And here is Stu Jackson's, the NBA's former head of discipline, opinion/prediction's transcript , courtesy of Jay King :

"The rule here is very clear," Jackson said, "and it's a very bright line, albeit that you're making a decision on a very key player in this playoff series. And for that reason it makes it difficult but the league office is supported by the rules that all the teams and all the players are very aware of. And in my mind, he will get suspended for one game."

After the game, Thomas said he did not fear any additional punishment because he did not mean to hit Schroder. Jackson believes the Celtics point guard's explanation may not sway the NBA league office.

"I hear what Isaiah is saying," Jackson said. "At the same time, if you look where the incident took place on the floor, in transition, it's rare for a player to stop at that point on the floor, extend his hand and swing and make contact with a player. So if you're waving to somebody in the crowd or a teammate, or motioning to a coach, I think that that reasoning doesn't really hold water for me. So again, I think they'll look at this. This is really tough. The fact that Isaiah is trying to absolve himself of any culpability here is not unusual. It's unfortunate that it happened and the contact wasn't severe, but it did happen and the rule is clear that he swung and in this case made contact with the player and should be suspended."

[celtics2030]

Lol IT with that excuse....

Just burying himself more...


I hate what Shroeder did to IT the play that got IT that angry.....I saw Eric Snow and Ron Artest do something similar , Both to Ray Allen and both times Ray Allen got injured and hobbled for game 7's , go figure....once in 2001 and once in 2010

Just a risky play that could cause injury to the knee or hip area.

But I think IT will be suspended for that shot.

[playdream]

I watched it and IT didn't see him coming and accidentaly waved his hand, there is nothing intentional
I mean how can he intentionally hit him by stand still knowing sherod is going to run by?

[ThaPreacher]

Pencil in Terry Rozier.
IT is going to sit a game. Either Sunday or the next one in Atlanta.

The league might choose the Atlanta game so the Celtics can extend this.

[Who]

Doubt it. I reckon they overlook Isaiah's faux pas.

[SHAQATTACK]

Celtics are a huge money maker ,  playoffs are NBA s prime time ,  IT is not a dirty player or known as one ...like CP3

If you punish him ...then guys like CP3 who do this kinda stuf should be called out as well.

NBA needs him on the court  ......to present the best product possible.

No he won't be suspended .   

[knuckleballer]

It looks to me IT did it on purpose, but he didn't hit him hard enough to warrant a suspension.

[Roy H.]

I hope not. I don't think it's clear cut.

[gift]

If we want to get technical we'd have to admit that, while the arm was moved in a "swing-like" motion, the contact was, and could be deemed intended as, a push and not a strike. What's the rule on a "push" like this?

[jambr380]

It is something your dog does to get you to play and was more of a light slap, not a wind-up or a punch. In the video, IT never actually looks at Schroder so his argument does hold some weight.

Kendrick Perkins didn't get suspended for his all-out shove, then smack on the head on Crowder last year and that showed much more aggression and intent. It also led to a very escalated situation which is what the league is really trying to prevent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBb9Kqb5N44

The NBA would really have to hate IT and the Cs if they suspend him here. There is really very little basis for it.

[Smitty77]

Only in the Adam Silver led NBA can this even be considered for a suspension!!

Yet, Mr. Silver allows Mike Scott to play in the NBA all season and in the playoffs despite getting caught last summer with MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) and marijuana in his car and he ADMITTED they were HIS!!!!

And, please, do NOT give me the lawyerly talk of innocent until proven guilty.  He ADMITTED they were his!!!!  Then Atlanta DECIDED to bring him back with these charges hanging over his head.

Without Scott, the Hawks simply would NOT have won Game 1 and we would be up 2-1.

Smitty77

[LGC88]

He won't be suspended.
If he is, you have to suspend many intentional bad play from Millsap, horford (slap in the head of Sully and IT) and Shroeder (shav IT on the floor and put his foot on Jonas balls), they came out intentionally dirty to mess with their head and they almost succeeded.

[D Dub]

Only in the Adam Silver led NBA can this even be considered for a suspension!!

Yet, Mr. Silver allows Mike Scott to play in the NBA all season and in the playoffs despite getting caught last summer with MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) and marijuana in his car and he ADMITTED they were HIS!!!!

And, please, do NOT give me the lawyerly talk of innocent until proven guilty.  He ADMITTED they were his!!!!  Then Atlanta DECIDED to bring him back with these charges hanging over his head.

Without Scott, the Hawks simply would NOT have won Game 1 and we would be up 2-1.

Smitty77

Umm.... So what?   

[Sievers81]

This could be a trial by media depending which angle the media go for this morning.

IT got a cheap shot and then Schroder did on the following play, it resulted in a double technical. Can we just leave it at that?

It's in the NBA's best interest to either let it slide or issue a warning because this effectively kills a bracket in the Playoffs, and one of if not the most interesting series.

[myselfonline]

Stu Jackson is not 100% correct, IT initially stopped and and extended his arm to point at Smart because he wanted Jerebko to inbound the ball to Smart instead. This was a basketball play. The following turn and swipe was not.

However, it seemed to me Schroder tried to pull something because, if you watch the video again, he slowed down as he approached IT.