We're definitely all over this Celtics-Hawks series, and why not? If Boston should somehow manage to drop two of the next three games to a team that snuck into the playoffs with a losing record, it would be arguably the biggest upset in NBA history. While that's still a long way from happening, the league could certainly make things easier for the Hawks, depending on how they interpret what went down during that little altercation between Kevin Garnett and Zaza Pachulia.
The Boston Globe points out the fact that there might be a few suspensions handed down from the league for Game 5. And if it goes down the way they think it might, the Hawks would have to like their chances for the next game in Boston.
To make matters worse for the Celtics, it's possible that Garnett and Kendrick Perkins could be suspended for Game 5 for their involvement in a second-quarter skirmish last night. Hawks forward Marvin Williams also is in jeopardy.
Replays showed Garnett shoving referee Ed Rush, and Perkins and Williams went on the floor from the bench, which usually means an automatic one-game suspension.
Garnett can be seen "shoving" Ed Rush at about the 15 second mark of the clip (in Matt Watson's original post), and, as stated there at the time, there's no question that both Kendrick Perkins and Marvin Williams technically "left the bench" by stepping onto the court, which, by league rule, is an automatic suspension.
In last year's playoffs, Amare Stoudemire went no further off the bench than Perkins or Williams did, and he was suspended for it, which ultimately cost his Suns the series. Perkins and Williams should both be given a one-game suspension, period.
As for Garnett? Well, he did shove the referee to try to get back into the confrontation. But there's no way the league suspends him for that, right? Although if they did, anyone who's an NBA conspiracy theorist would need to find a new occupation. Because no one concerned with television ratings wants the Celtics ousted by Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-29-2008 @ 1:54PM
frank said...
Besides pushing Pachulia KG push the refeee TWICE !
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4-29-2008 @ 2:05PM
cheez said...
If Perkins and williams dont get suspended for one game, then there is no justice in the NBA at all.
Suns fans will continue their conspiracy theories about getting screwed, and they will have even more legitimate evidence pointing to that. Please don't let this happen
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4-29-2008 @ 2:13PM
roger said...
"In last year's playoffs, Amare Stoudemire went no further off the bench than Perkins or Williams did"
What a load of horsecrap. Amare RAN three to four full steps from the bench, had to be restrained and then went back to the bench. Williams was just standing there, craning his neck and happened to be standing on the floor. Perkins walked two steps out on the floor. If they both have to be suspended, then so be it, but stop being such a Suns apologist with regard to last year. Go back and look at that tape and THEN tell me Marvin Williams and Amare Stoudemiere did the same thing.
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4-29-2008 @ 3:51PM
Michael gifford said...
well...it will really be up to Stern to determine whether his office is one of integrity or preferential treatment. It certainly looked like integrity last year when Amare broke the rule and it cost him. IN this case, KG shoved Pachulia against the throat, shoved the referee and also there was some stepping on the court. Clarifying the intent is a waste of time, it's only the actions according to the rule that matters...and what must be upheld...besides, this would psych the Celts up enormously feeling for a moment like an underdog...this could have a reverse effect and finally wake them up.
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4-29-2008 @ 4:14PM
p curley said...
Leave the bench during a fight, get suspended. There's no other way to prevent something from escalating in to a brawl. Hockey has had a 3rd man in on a fight rule for years. Same with basebrawl. Anyone leaving the dugout, automatic suspension. If they cant determine everyone who left, so what. Suspend anyone you can prove left. Also, fielders, first and 3rd base coaches, on deck hitter leaving their positions should also be suspended.
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4-29-2008 @ 4:39PM
jerome said...
Bad rule, but it is clearly stated.
They should be tossed, unless the NBA is going to kiss the Celts ass, like the NFL did for the Pats.
Celts are done, if not this one, next round.
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4-29-2008 @ 5:17PM
ken said...
Thats what the HAWKS have been trying to do since game 3 is get the CELTICS BIG 3 IN A FIGHT AND GET THEM SUSPENDED
WELL JEROME YOU SOUND JUST LIKE A NEW ENGLAND HATER YOU MUST BE FROM THE GETTO OF NEW YORK
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4-29-2008 @ 6:30PM
mo russell said...
Stern will decide based on who he likes and who he doesn't......The San Antonio Sturns benefited last year, and although I like the Celtics, if he does not suspend Garnett for pushing a ref and the two who left the bench, he once again shows his true colors, and what a REAL JERK he is....I would love to see the Suns come back and beat the Sturns against all odds, which would include "over my dead body" Stern making sure that does not happen...mo
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4-29-2008 @ 7:02PM
jerome said...
No Ken,
I hate all NY teams, I don't think the NBA will cover it up, just pointing out that they did do a huge cover-up with the Pats in the NFL and even detroyed evidence. That won't happen in the NBA, I was just joking.
I think the east is way to weak to beat any West Play-off team in a 7 game series.
The Celts purchased themselves a good team, but the soft East did not toughen them up enough for play-off ball.
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4-29-2008 @ 7:39PM
B-ball fan said...
Garnett not getting suspended is just another case of the league playing favorites with the East coast darlings. Any other player would have received a suspension for touching the ref. Heaven forbid the Celtics would have to play with out Kevin
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