No matter the name, the guy has to be suspended a long time

What’s that old saying about leopards and spots?

Doesn’t matter if it’s Ron Artest or Metta World Peace or whatever, the guy who hammered James Harden with an elbow to the head on Sunday afternoon is a serial offender, always has been, always will be and if David Stern doesn’t hit him with at least a five-game suspension – and I can see it going as far as 10 – well, then David Stern has turned into Brendan Shanahan and is simply spinning the wheel of discipline and totally guessing.

Look, we all heard World Peace’s lame explanation that it was just some over-exuberant emotional outburst after making a nice play and there was some idiotic comparison to a hit he may or may not have got from Marc Gasol a year or so ago but the facts are simple:

He took his elbow, drew it back and smacked an unsuspecting opponent in the side of the head, taking Harden out of the game and, once again, showing that he cannot be trusted.

This is no isolated incident from some usually calm player doing something out of character.

World Peace did it when he played in Chicago, he did it when he played in Indiana, he did it last year as a Laker with a cheap clothesline shot to the head of Dallas’s J.J. Barea in a playoff game.

He has been suspended for more than 110 games over the course of his career and he’s a punk who cannot control his emotions.

Pure and simple.

And I don’t want to hear what a gentle guy he is away from the court, I know he does wonderful work with teenage emotional issues and can perhaps be admired for that at some level.

But you cannot deliver that kind of blow to an opponent’s neck no matter the circumstances. It looked entirely intentional to me, and I would imagine it looked entirely intentional to the NBA officials who are going to have to mete out punishment today.

World Peace is a serial offender, he has not shown the ability to control his emotions for the duration of his career and, yes, that has to come into play when Stern decides who long he’ll have to sit down for.

What happened Sunday was violent and dangerous and looked pre-mediated and so far removed from basketball it’s not even funny.

We’ve been inundated lately about players and coaches taking exceptions to “hard fouls” and this is so far beyond that it’s hardly worth mentioning in the same breath.

Forget my original five-game idea; I’ve talked myself into it having to be 10.

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So, Super Dog’s got a cone on her head, stitches in her back two knees, she can’t do stairs while living in a back split, has to have “range of motion” therapy a half dozen times a day and will only eat her Doggie Morphine if the pills are delicately hidden in tiny bits of raw hot dog.

And I’m on the road until Tuesday night.

Oh, yeah, my time as Man Of The Year in Casa Doug is over.

Long over.

-

Right, the game.

THREE POINTERS

No big deal, really

Yes, DeMar DeRozan did not play in the fourth quarter and only played 28 minutes on the night – and played pretty well when he was out there – but, please, don’t read anything into it.

As Dwane said post-game, he just wanted to see what the other guys could give him in strange situations for them and if you can’t do that in Game 64 of a 66-game season against another going-nowhere team playing out the string, when can you do it?

Don’t be surprised if DeMar’s at about the same minutes tonight in Milwaukee or Thursday night at home; it’s nothing personal, it’s just that time of year.

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Big numbers

Okay, so Ben Uzoh had four turnovers and Gary Forbes had five and point guard play was an issue.

If they are, as they have said all along, trying to find out some things about different guys, some night they aren’t going to like what they get.

And neither is ready, or capable, of being a regular part of any team with any kind of aspirations at all.

Sorry. Good guys and Forbes can make shots but as point guards, they don’t have it.

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Making the point

Linas Kleiza had an interesting quote post-game and it had nothing to do with the great open look he had to tie the game.

Look, the players know better than we do that the season is winding down, that they won’t have really achieved much as a team when it’s over and these last few games are terribly hard to get up for.

They do, once the game’s underway and the adrenaline is flowing but before that? It’s hard, he said, in a rather candid, and correct, assessment of things:

“Maybe it’s tougher before the games. When you’re actually playing, it’s just like any other game but everything leading up to the game, it’s kind of hard to stay focused. Still, it’s our job and it’s what we love to do.”

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Yes, I’ve seen MC Hammer, if only for about a song and a half but, trust me, I’m not about to run out and grab all his CDs or whatever they have these days.

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Hey, now I know where the Raptors might have stolen the whole camouflage jersey thing.

Seems the San Diego Padres have been doing it longer and watching some highlights Sunday when they trotted them out again wasn’t too bad. Maybe it’s the fact there aren’t a whole bunch of them running around at one time but they didn’t look too bad.

Still have some issues about their very existence but they do fit the diamond better than the court.

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One of the best lines of the weekend?

We’re out Saturday night having a bite to eat in an establishment with a lot of TVs and off in the corner is one showing the Mavs-Bulls.

We look up at one time, see a Dallas player writhing around the court in pain and can't really tell who it is; one guy looks at the other and says:

“Has to be Vince, right?”

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One of the other best lines of the weekend?

We’re standing before the Sunday game, the conversation gets around to Saturday games and someone says, “hey, did you see where Wade dislocated a finger?”

Without missing a beat, guy who shall remain nameless says:

“Did they have to take him off in a wheelchair?”

Oh yeah, we are a laugh-a-minute bunch.

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Okay, this is up stupid early because it’s a 45-minute drive to the Detroit airport from the hotel and it’s an early flight to Milwaukee so have fun reading, I’ll get to the much-anticipated comments once I’m settled in the Land O’ Cheese.

And see you hear about 8 p.m. for the penultimate IGBT of the regular season.

-

 

 

Comments

[Andrew Potter]

Poor Ron... You just know his off-court Dr. Jekyll loathes when he throws the uniform on and becomes his creation, the despicable Mr. Hyde. The difference between Metta's tale and the piece of classic English lit. is that I can picture no circumstance where Metta retires from the spotlight to protect the NBA from on-court hideousness.

Equal parts horror and tragedy; this has all completely transcended comedy.

[lamemedia]

a bit harsh

must be nice to judge as hastily and irresponsibly as Ron uses his elbows

Blogger's note: Right. Hastily. Call it what you will, it's my opinion and I frankly couldn't give a rat's bum what you think

[sportsbabel]

It was Bynum who clotheslined Barea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaJr6_XF1Og

Blogger's note: Was another incident, game in LA, in the backcourt; clothesline

[Tim H.]

Hang in there, Doug - just two more to endure!

[Mike D.]

Solo is putting up some surprisingly good rebounding numbers, but all at games I haven't attended so I can't tell whether those numbers are real or "garbage time." I accept that we won't see him back with the Raptors (especially with Jonas hopefully en route and Casey now saying he'd like to see Jamaal return) but do you think he's now on a few more GMs' radar screens for the summer?

[Rob]

Doug, always read the blog and enjoy it. I expect unlike Shanahan that Stern will mete out some appropriate punishment for 'Artest's' inexcusable hit. By the way, I have to give my Lhasa Apso a pill every day and she loves a doggy product called 'Pill Pockets'. I buy them a Global Pets - can also get them at your vets. Come in different flavours - chicken, beef, etc. You simply drop the pill in the 'pocket' and 'wrap' the pill with the 'stuff'. Dogs seem to love them! Keep up the good work.

[LeeZ]

Pre-meditated: Characterized by deliberate purpose, previous consideration, and some degree of planning. Deliberate purpose? Yes, I'll give you that. In that nanosecond where Harden kind of jostles him a bit as he's celebrating, it is clear by the way he brought his elbow up and then swung it that he was doing it deliverately. Previous consideration? Some degree of planning? Not so much. This wasn't premeditated. It was very much a "crime of passion", if you will. Now, having said that, I agree 100% with everything else you wrote (except maybe to call him a punk; he's not a punk, Doug. He's a child. A petulant child who lives totally in the moment. He exhibits the type of behaviour that one sees in a six-year-old boy. In 95% of cases, kids grow out of it. He never has. And I've followed this guy's career ever since he played for the Redmen at St. John's. I actually think he should be suspended for 25 games. And DC's sitting of Demar struck me as tanking. DC has NOT tanked at all this year. Last night? Big time. That stuff about letting somebody else close out a game to see what they have? Please. There is absolutely nothing that can be gleaned from that game about any player that hasn't already been gleaned. This is a game that the Raptors organization did not want to win, and for obvious reasons. Pure and simple. They have, admirably, fought hard all year. I don't blame them in this meaningless game for finally tanking a wee bit. Oh and btw, was it indeed Vince?

[AK]

Doug, wasn't it Bynum that clotheslined JJ in the playoffs last year?

[Sharkey]

Re the camo jerseys, the Padres have done it for years and they've had a few different variations. It makes sense there because San Diego is basically a military town. They look a lot better than the Raptors ones, that's for sure

[JHK]

"it’s nothing personal, it’s just that time of year." - in other words, it's time to Tank.
That was arguably the biggest win (loss) this season.
I just hope the Celtics/Hawks win don't come and bite us in the butt when May comes around.
2 more games to go!!!

[sam]

Wow....what a punk move by Artest. Seems contrary to his new name and politcal bent.
The First Lady of the House and I sat through the first half of last nights game. The first lady not being a sports fan, and with her nose stuck in a book - looked at the score half way through the first half and says . . . I feel Doug's pain.
Rather uninspiring performance by two teams with nothing other than pride to play for. Two games left for the HOTH. Perhaps we will see Jose on the floor for a minute or two. . .

[MacGregrrrr the Terrier-ist]

Stern needs to lower the boom on this thug (and while he's at it, he should look into the steroids abuse by this guy ...)

[Shawn007]

Doug, How out of it/ or hard headed could you be?.... After seeing Demarr and Amir benched for the whole 4th quarter of a close game, you're still telling the fans not to read anything into it? You must of had to try real hard not to use the word TANKING in your blog... or have you actually convinced your self there not doing so. This was a game they had to lose, and they did it. All for the betterment of the future, no one is cheated. Don't insult us with this seeing what others could do in close games garbage.

(love your blog on most days)

[Pete]

Agreed on all MWP comments but that was Andrew Bynum who delivered that cheap clothesline to Barea last year. It was shortly after Lamar Odom was ejected for another really dirty cheapshot when the game was already out of hand too. Classy bunch down there in L.A.

[kent]

Wade is probably one of the toughest, most fearless players in the league. The time he was taken off on a wheelchair in Houston, his shoulder was ripped apart. So I don't know what the joke is, that he's a drama queen? Your friend has any jokes about Calderon leaving on a stretcher for a measly back bruise a few years ago?

[Gord]

@Gord, For a guy with a "two-minute window" on one hand but an obviously huge agenda on the other, you are clearly a bona fide candidate for your very own blog. Very exciting, and best of luck with that.
Cheers. Go Gord

…D-Mac yes kid, big shout for you! I would love my own blog. As an HR rep, I type all day - documents emails, policies blah-blah-blah, point is I can type a 3 page document in less then 15 mins, so with my basketball (Raptors my team) passion, my youth (32), I could so handle my own blog. I am actually currently looking into possibly building one, maybe I could have you on as a guess speaker! lol – I love the Raps and I know lots of others do to. I take the time to properly inform myself to minimize the mistakes and give the facts and info on the Raps then give it to the fans cause I know these people want it...I would be prepared to give that to them…as much as they can handle. FYI: some Raptors/basketball sights that I find key are: Raptors Republic and Bleachers Report – of course the steady’s in HoopsHype and Hoopsworld (Stephen Brotherson does a live chat covering the Raptors every Monday at noon I believe – he is really good, loves the Raps, has in depth non bias opinions and reported facts. He asks great questions to people involved in the Raps organization and gives back the info and answers every and any question anybody has about the Raptors to the best of his abilities) I’ve personally come to really respect his work. I hope to be like Stephen and or Doug one day. Till then, I will stay in the “I hire ‘em and I fire ‘em” job!

[Matt]

Artest doesn't have the brains to plan much of anything, but if he gets so excited after a dunk that he elbows the first human being to come into contact with him then he needs to sit down and think about it. 5-10 games sounds about right to me Doug. By his explanation it sounds like the Lakers were lucky that Kobe wasn't the one in the path of Mega Twerp Sleaze.

[Peter]

I agree with you Doug, I don't think the Raps have intentionally tanked this season. But looking at the standings this morning. Realizing that if the Raps win last night, they're ahead of New Jersey, and tied with Detroit (not sure who owns that tie breaker) and tied with Golden State (again, not sure who holds that tie breaker) Losing last night gives them almost a 5 times better chance at winning the lottery compared to winning last night. So I see where the tanking theorists are coming from, and frankly. While I'm with you when you say that winning every game is more important. Losing the second half of last night's game certainly helped their draft a lot more than it hurt their team. Once they got down by the end of the 3rd. There's nothing wrong with playing your inexperienced guys, and letting your good players sit. If you lose, your draft prospects improve measurably. If you win? Well, then you win and some seldom used players get some confidence. Losing helped more than winning last night.

[Tim H.]

Some people really do have to learn how to use Google - search "Artest Barea foul" - not hard to do! The foul occurred on May 4, 2011, and Artest was ejected"

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29079549

I think Doug knows how to do research!

[Gord]

Doug - about your comments on MWP….YES; YES and YES! He is a clown and that was obviously intentional. It is insulting for all us fans and the NBA workers to have him think we are that stupid to believe otherwise.
It has been stated that Tyreke Evans is available for a trade and that Louis Williams (former 2nd round pick from Philly) is opting out early making him a UFA. Going to be hypothetical here: Raps trade Bargs and Bayless (after they pick up his option) ,one of the 2nd rounders plus cash for salary matching for Tyreke Evans and Fransisco Garcia, sign Louis Williams (15 pts /3.5 dimes/2.4 rebs) this season on only back up mins 24 per game, 25 yrs old has been in the league 6 years and his numbers get better every year. Then you draft a PF (at 7th position where they are now) will get you Perry Jones 6’11 PF or Jared Sullinger 6’9 PF for example – the team still has AJ and ED at PF. This would be the starters next year….PG – Jose, SG – Tyreke Evans, SF –DeMar DeRozan, C- Big V, PF (ED Davis/or A. Johnson), Bench Louis Williams, and say Perry Jones. Linus Klieza, James Johnson, Fransisco Garcia, sign back Aaron Gray and Magloire (who will play for the vets min), their other second rounder, plus depending on what they spent on signing Williams maybe someone else – third string PG!?! (I believe I read they have 10 million and ‘could” have up to 20 million)….just speculating of course!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

@LeeZ, I 100% agree with you that Mr. World Peace operates at the level of a 6-year-old (and of course we all know that 7 represents the magic switch when we suddenly arrive at the "age of reason"). You go back to the Malice at the Palace and other Artest incidents, and it's pretty plain to see that the guy has this very strange 'disconnect' with reality whenever push literally comes to shove. He reacts immediately and volcanically, and has absolutely no concept of consequences.
This is the same guy guy who wondered aloud if maybe somebody might actually get in "trouble" after the Indy melee. A disturbingly 'unreal' head space.
On the other hand, I also don't think that nanosecond you refer to gets him off the hook. He's an attuned and conditioned athlete of the highest order, a thoroughbred, with lightning-quick fast-twitch muscles and reflexes. Basketball players use that same nanosecond to decide whether they're going to leave their feet and go for the block, deke left then right to break a defender's ankles, stop dead in their tracks and get the jewels adequately protected to take the charge... It's the same nanosecond boxers use to decide whether to uncork or wait.
A nanosecond is an eternity for a professional athlete. Mr. World Peace used that nanosecond to make his decision – someone was 'disrespecting' his moment of triumphant chest-pounding and he was bygod going to level the interloper.
A second viewing was all it took for the announcer to pronounce "disgraceful". I would concur. Mr. World Peace can't really help himself it seems, so he just lets fly. Maybe he's been watching too much hockey.
Cheers.

[Gord]

@ Shawn007

Just an FYI: Regardless of last nights game or actually the past 5 games (give or take) the Raps have been mathematicaly locked into a 2% chance of the first or second overall pick - once again win or lose; And (upto) a 10% chance chance of the 3 or 4th pick. Doug didnt need to use the word "tanking"...why would the team try and lose for a better spot when the number tell them its unattainable, therefore irrelevant. So, play the guys who are auditioning for a spot next year and lets see what they got!

[Steven]

Watching last nights game I thought neither team really wanted to win. Leo pointed out that he was surprised that Brandon Knight was taken out in the last three minutes after being so effective in the fourth quarter. I was yelling, "they're trying to tank Leo, can't you see". Stuckey and Gordon both missed free throws that could have sealed the win earlier. With a foul to give and three seconds left, not only did Detroit not foul but somehow the Raptors best three point shooter was wide open to tie the game (I mean that no one even went after him to make him rush his shot). There is no way Detroit plays it like that if they are looking to win. The New Jersey game should played in the upstairs gym with no one being forced to watch. It will not be pretty.

[Mike kovacs]

If the elbow was an accident MWP would have shown a reaction on his face after hitting Harden's! There is no reaction at all.

The camouflage jerseys in baseball may make some sense - the batter cannot see where the outfield is!

[Lorie]

For Artest, as a repeat offender, I am hopeful of a suspension of at least 25 games; there is no excusing, explaining or providing any sort of context that can rationalize or justify his hit on James Harden. In fact, as fervently as I am praying for a speedy return to full health for Harden, I am hoping that Artest is prohibited from wearing an NBA uniform ever again. And yeah, I know it's 'Metta World Peace' now; but as has been proven here, you can change the name, but the shame remains the same.