Rajon Rondo suspended two games for throwing ball at ref
I understand why the NBA felt compelled to punish Rajon Rondo after his latest incident in Detroit. He did, after all, throw a basketball at a referee. But we’re not talking about a Nolan Ryan 100-MPH heater here. We’re talking about a slow-pitch softball Eephus knuckler that wasn’t even aimed at the ref’s head, but rather at his stomach. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not condoning Rondo’s behavior. He deserved a punishment, certainly a fine, maybe a one-game suspension. Nobody should ever throw a ball at a referee. But to give Rondo the same punishment that Kevin Love got for deliberately stomping on Luis Scola doesn’t seem fair.
Am I just being a blatant homer here? Or do I have a point?
P.S. — Maybe the ref should be fined for sending the Pistons to the free throw line seven million times?
P.P.S. — Avery Bradley has quietly stunk up the joint for the past week or so, with very little backlash because A) he earned himself a little grace period and B) everyone was too busy complaining about Rondo. Now Bradley has another chance to start. We’ll see what he does with it.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog | Jay King | February 20, 2012
I haven’t watched it and am sure I’ll see it during the
TNT broadcast, but no he does not deserve any suspension. A fine yes, but this is crap. Just like the refs then should be suspended for bias calls or lame games. Go Cs…good opportunity for AB to get more experience. Can anyone rebound tonight???
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Saw the replay and while the ‘toss’ was wrong, he was fouled and ergo frustrated, but Doc should have stormed the court as soon as the foul was not called. He’d have been T-d up, ejected and RR could have finished the game. Doc is pathetic. Go Cs…one offensive reb at the half, can you get 2 tonight???
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That was my reaction too. Doc was sitting there sleeping, not advocating for his player who just got trampled.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There should be no suspension at all. Listen, that was an ABUSIVE non call. It wasn’t just a bad call/noncall. It was abusive. It was letting the biggest guy on the court literally tackle and trample the smallest guy while he tried to take a shot. Rondo stood up for himself, and listen, it’s really cutting it fine to interpret his slightly hard ball toss as an attack.
Two day fine? For that? Right, the league is covering up for how horrific its officiating is.
And remember they went down to the other end and yet another tickytack foul was called on the Celtics.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I want to be clear. I’m proud of Rondo for standing up for himself. I’m angry at Doc for not standing up for him, and at his teammates. I wish he’d thrown the ball slightly more softly. But if he didn’t stand up for himself after being literally mugged, once again, and this time not even a foul call? That’s just unacceptable.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well I would have probably done worse than Rondo in that situation. I was merely watching the game and many times wanted to jump through the TV and strangle the refs. I mean really, who paid these guys off in the game?? I have seen some bad officiating in my day, but that one really takes the cake.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I can’t get over it. Rondo gets his arm hit, so the ball flies off wildly to the right, then he has Monroe jump on top of him, then he has Monroe trample him to the floor, and the official watches all of that … and does nothing? Nothing?
That’s like a cop bringing coffee and donuts to some burglars robbing a jewelry store.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the ball flies off wildly to the other right…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0