Rafer and Barnes suspended 2 games Shaq McGrady fined and Nash 1 game

[23]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6112585.html

ockets' Alston to miss 2 games because of fight
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 14, 2008, 12:10PM

SAN ANTONIO – Rockets guard Rafer Alston received a two-game suspension on Friday for his role in the scuffle in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game in Phoenix, forcing him to miss tonight’s game against the Spurs and Saturday’s against the New Orleans Hornets, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.
Alston went after Suns forward Matt Barnes after Barnes hit him while Alston set a screen for Tracy McGrady. Both were ejected from the game.

Barnes also received a two-game suspension. Suns point guard Steve Nash was suspended for one game for his role in the shoving that followed the confrontation.

Suns center Shaquille O’Neal was fined $35,000 and McGrady received a $25,000 fine. O’Neal, Nash and McGrady received technical fouls.
"Rafer and Matt Barnes, I didn’t think (the infractions) were equal because I thought one guy initiated and one retaliated," McGrady said. "The guy that really initiated should have had more games. I don’t think Rafer deserved the same amount of games."

"About the 25, I don’t care about that."

McGrady did dispute Barnes’ notion that McGrady had previous set a hard screen on Nash.

"A hard pick?" McGrady said. "That wasn’t a hard screen. His (teammate) should have called out a screen. Any screen is hard if your man doesn’t call it out and you don’t see it. It’s wasn’t a hard screen. He just didn’t see it. I think he already had a pinched nerve in his neck. I don’t set hard screens. I don’t think I set a hard screen in my career."

Asked about Barnes retaliating by running through an Alston screen, rather than on McGrady directly, McGrady said, "He chose wisely."

Players may appeal the league’s ruling, but that could only impact fines.

"I don’t have any (reaction)," Morey said. "To me, the league has a role to play to keep the integrity of the game high. I thought Phoenix’s role was bigger than ours and the league was move severe on Phoenix, which I thought was appropriate."

With Alston out, Aaron Brooks will start, but the Rockets could be limited off the bench more than by not having Brooks in his sixth man role, with Brent Barry a game-time decision because of a sprained right thumb.

[ex carrabba fan]

"I don’t set hard screens. I don’t think I set a hard screen in my career."

Asked about Barnes retaliating by running through an Alston screen, rather than on McGrady directly, McGrady said, "He chose wisely."

LMAO!

[bigeastbumrush]

Quote: Originally Posted by KDRE_OS

"About the 25, I don’t care about that."

"Straight cash homey."- Randy Moss

[GoodVela]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigeastbumrush

"Straight cash homey."- Randy Moss

[23]

Yeah there are some hilarious quotes in here, but to think that this would've never been had the ref just called a foul on Barnes when he should have.

It may sound like nothing, but
This happens in a playoff game and the fans will be toasted

[The Chef]

Wow, big shocker, Shaq runs in, shoves 3 guys to the ground and gets a fine, Nash runs in and gets shoved to the ground and gets suspended for a game, unbelievable. Nash gets suspended for "escalating" the situation, well what the hell was Shaq doing when he shoved 3 guys to the ground then? The NBA continues to prove that they are completely inept at pretty much everything, nice to see Shaq must have some sort of pull with the NBA front office.

[Muzyk23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWDqpPERN7o

[Bornindamecca]

On the one hand, this should have all been handled in game. This was nothing. A couple screens got set and run through, and guys pushed and shoved. wah.

On the other hand, I know they have to discourage this. No one should have been suspended. It should have just been fines. Taking starters out of games for that scuffle is silly.

McGrady is hilarious though.

[Flyboy]

Aaron Brooks, do your thing.

[23]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Chef

Wow, big shocker, Shaq runs in, shoves 3 guys to the ground and gets a fine, Nash runs in and gets shoved to the ground and gets suspended for a game, unbelievable. Nash gets suspended for "escalating" the situation, well what the hell was Shaq doing when he shoved 3 guys to the ground then? The NBA continues to prove that they are completely inept at pretty much everything, nice to see Shaq must have some sort of pull with the NBA front office.

Cover up for inept refs: 7 games into the season y220a: