I don't really remember a time when David Stern wasn't the head of the NBA, but apparently, he took over the league at a time when it had a very rough reputation. The shadow of the Kermit Washington/Rudy Tomjanovich incident was still fairly fresh in everyone's minds, and the league had very little network TV presence. (I'm imagining something like the NHL's situation now.) After the Malice at the Palace, I think he saw a glimpse of the NBA's ugly past, and decided he was going to nip that kind of undisciplined thuggery in the bud. Which is why Artest sat for a year, and why when another incident happened, he made sure his decision sent a message, to the fans at least as much as the players, that this kind of crap will not be tolerated. That's why Carmelo got 15 games for one punch, and why the next brawl will bring even stiffer penalties. Especially with hockey phasing out fighting so completely, Stern does not want the NBA to become known as the place to get your aggro tendencies on. That stuff drives the families away, which is where the big money is.
I changed my mind on Carmelo Anthony's punch. He did not sucker punch anybody. He was face to face with his victim who was looking right at him. However, he still ran away like a little girl after he threw the punch. == I've heard some commentators defend Melo's punch by saying, in effect, a man has to be a man, and if he is disrespected, he should throw down. Even assuming we are dealing with Neanderthals, this argument makes no sense. Melo is a professional basketball player. By "protecting his manhood" or "defending his teammate" by throwing a punch, Melo knew he would be suspended. As it turns out, he will miss 15 games. What is more important, whipping out your unit and showing how big it is, or winning basketball games? If you chose the former, congratulations. Everyone will know you have a big penis and swinging balls. You are also a loser as you sit out games in which you could be participating. If you chose the latter, you are a winner. You keep the size of your unit private, as it should be, and you continue to help your team win games. To quote The Geto Boys, "Real gangsta ass niggas don't flex nuts, cause real gangsta ass niggas know they got em." ===== I do not understand three aspects of David Stern's suspensions. First, what did Nugget J.R. Smith do to warrant a ten game suspension? He was the victim. He was fouled hard and knocked to the ground on a layup my Mardy Collins. Smith instinctively jumped up and approached Collins. Yes, he was mad, but he did not throw a punch or otherwise touch Collins. Then Knick Nate Robinsons tackled him and they ended up in the front row of seats. Second, why were both teams fined the same amount? The Knicks started it on orders of their coach. Third, why was Isiah Thomas not punished at all? He can be seen on tape warning Melo not to go in the paint just before the fight started. He inserted Mardy Collins, the last guy on the bench, who then committed assault on J.R. Smith going up for a dunk. David Stern is not stupid, so I have no idea what his motivation is for letting Thomas off the hook.
I totally agree that Melo completely embarrassed himself by throwing a punch (that looked more like a slap) and then running away. But, the guy he hit certainly didn't help his masculinity after the way he collapsed. watch the video! The guy he hit was being pulled back by one of the suits and actually tripped over someone on the floor behind him! He IMMEDIATELY GOT UP! That punch must of really done alot of damage eh? Melo is the pusss...hit and run..the damage done to his reputation is far worse than a fine or missed games. See if his jersey sales go up..i doubt it.
Forgive me they were awful so misspelt and so ignorant Delicious. So sweet, and so cold.
I changed my mind on Carmelo Anthony's punch. He did not sucker punch anybody. He was face to face with his victim who was looking right at him. However, he still ran away like a little girl after he threw the punch. A lot of people said that Carmelo shouldn't have ran away. I don't think he ran away, he backed up. I missed the rule that said after hitting someone you must remain in the same spot so that they can hit you back. Sounds smart to me, back away, don't get hit. Anyway, it was unlikely that Collins was going to swing back since he was laying on the floor.
I missed the rule that said after hitting someone you must remain in the same spot so that they can hit you back. Growing Up Irish, page 2245. There's additional commentary in the errata.
It looks like the NBA should now stand for NATIONAL BOXING ASS. 
Boxing gloves On the ass Alas.
I don't know who "Wes Upseld" I think ucla meant Wes Unseld, chico, but you would've thought that he knew that since he did say that "In the sixties.....basketball was fun to watch". I'm sure someone would've caught that eventually.
I know who Wes Unseld is, Bornicon. My point was that for someone so aggressively trying to school us on what this whole episode is really about, his attention to things like facts and detail was kind of lacking.
Which is why I wrote "but you would've thought that he knew that...." but I figured that someone knew who Wes Unseld was or is since he is alive even though he spelled his name wrong. He also used to coach the Washington Bullets when they were still the Bullets. By the way, I don't understand what all the commotion is all about with Carmelo Anthony backing away after he threw that punch. I mean, it's not like he skipped away or anything. He punched the guy in the jaw and his teammates pulled him away. I saw the replay like 20 times yesterday since it was shown on Around the Horn, PTI and SportsCenter and from what I saw, Carmelo did not "run" anywhere, he simply backed up after the punch and his teammates pulled him away. Smart move. Now if only Tito Ortiz would've saw what Carmelo did, Chuck Liddell would've never knocked him out cold. Anyone who watches UFC knows what I'm talking about.
I hate these haikus, they are driving me insane. When will it all end? Long in the future, when SpoFi has disappeared? Or close to today, just ending on whim. A haiku or no haikus? That is the question.
Teacher of English I am yet cannot bother To use right verbage; Punctuation is Not so much optional as Addiction for me; As a result of My lapses in grammar my Point falls on deaf ears; My affliction is Diarrhea of the mouth... Luckily I have no shame.
From an ESPN article about Melo appealing thwe suspension: "There's no justification for the 15 games other than the fact that the commissioner clearly wants to send a message." Stern wants to send a message? Well, no shit Sherlock. Don't fight's the message, I reckon.
mcjerkliner Dang, if only I'd thought of that during my battles with mjk! That sure would've put you in your place! Well played, mitch. Well played, indeed. With you teaching the children, the world is indeed in good hands.
How can we call these things fights I watch these and there isn't anybody in the NBA that can scrap.That's why these guys carry weapons and have entourages carmelo should be embrassed hit a guy with a sucker punch then run these guys are weak.
Maybe mitch could loan some of his punctuation to luther70.
