Note to NBA, let them play

The series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets looks like it will go at least six games, and I think Stu Jackson, executive vice president of basketball operations, should not hand out any suspensions from the games’ skirmishes.

In a highly contested bout, the Lakers bested the Rockets, 111-98. The game was filled with high emotions and pure intensity known as “playoff basketball.” However, in this day and age, playoff basketball is a little softer than what it used to be. The Pistons -aka- “Bad Boys” got their name for their notorious hard fouls in the late 80s. And the Knicks, under Pat Riley, were known for putting you on your back from time to time too. Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn were even given the name “Thump and Bump” in Philadelphia because of their banging in the paint. The play that once made these players and teams famous is a flagrant foul in today’s game. These offenses are penalized by two free-throws plus possession of the ball and a fine. If it is deemed a flagrant-two, you can tack on an ejection from the game and a possible one game suspension.

If you watched last night’s game, you saw Derek Fisher get tossed for a hard pick on Luis Scola, which I thought was a good call, and you also saw Kobe Bryant throw an elbow at Ron Artest, who in turn got ejected after confronting the referees and Sir Kobe himself. While these plays were testy, I do not think they are worthy of suspensions. The NBA has to be careful and consistent in dealing with the aftermath of this game. The series between the Bulls and Celtics saw both teams going tit-for-tat, resulting in some 'chippy' play. Yet, there were no suspensions handed out to Rajon Rondo who whacked Brad Miller in the face in game five and threw Kirk Hinrich into the scorers’ tables in game six.

What concerns me most is that Ron Artest will be unfairly penalized because of his past indiscretions, while the suave talking Bryant and the ever flopping Fisher get to go about their merry way. Artest is infamous, and rightly so, for the melee in Auburn Hills - the Detroit Pistons arena. While he was the catalyst for the brawl, (so was Ben Wallace but no one talks about it) his punishment should not be more severe as it pertains to this current series. Artest is a hard-nose defensive player and is quite talented on offense as well. He obviously has issues controlling his anger, but if you listen to his interviews, it’s almost like listening to a charming 12-year old kid. I’m not making excuses for his actions, but I think the man has legitimate concerns upstairs. See “Scary Good” by ESPN the Magazine.

Here’s the bottom line. If you suspend Artest, you have to suspend Bryant too. Matter of fact, Bryant has a history, and I’m not talking about his side action in Colorado, that is just as checkered. He was put on notice and suspended a couple of years back for throwing bows at Manu Ginobili, Kyle Korver, Marco Jaric, Mike Miller and Raja Bell. He even busted Mike Bibby in the face, but the foul got called on Bibby - I guess Bibby’s face shouldn’t have been fouling Kobe’s elbow.

And please don’t let the smooth taste fool you. Just because guys like Fisher, Rondo and Bryant have a better rep and a squeaky clean image on the court; it does not make them any less culpable for their actions. The next time you watch Fisher and Rondo play, try to count the number of times they hit the deck in an attempt to draw a foul. They are worse than Vlade Divac, but just are not notorious for flopping. Considering Ron Artest’s past, he has been a pillar of righteous living this season. With that being said, don’t rob us of a highly contested ol’ school series, instead, let them play ball.

Side note: The Cleveland Cavaliers are the most boring elite team to watch in the NBA. Big ups to LaBron, but your series have been a bore to date.

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com