Artest Should be out for how many games?

[MSUDuo]

Harden had no business being there himself.

That said, MWP knew he was there and threw the elbow.

I say 4 games.

[TXA&M07]

Anyone else get the feeling that not only was that intentional, but almost planned?

Thunder are on the rise and thats probablly the best "6th man" in the NBA right now. In regards to having depth during the post season, the Thunder will need those 14 ppg from their bench. Not saying Ron was told to directly "attack" Harden, but I can see someone in that locker room mentioning, "hey, we gotta get tough and if you have a foul to make, make it count."

With all the bounty issues in the NFL, it makes you wonder if these guys didnt recognize their situation and potential issue with a young Thunder team in the postseason, and say to themselves, we need to gain every advantage possible. Ron folds in the post season anyway, and is bat sh!t crazy enough to do something like this. Perfect formula for a semi- "planned" enforcer.

At least I can see it that way.

Thoughts?

[milohimself]

If it were any anybody else then maybe, but we're talking about ron ron here. Dude can't control himself.

[TXA&M07]

Exactly. I'm fully aware of his mental stability, but you cant tell me that if, in passing, someone made that type of statement, Ron wouldnt have linked that type of "plan" to his own perception of reality that those actions were excusable.

All someone needs to do is make the suggestion. Kinda like not being responsible for the building burning down, but providing the gas and match to the person that did.

[TXA&M07]

Besides, if that was mentioned pregame, who in the hell else is going to serve as an enforcer?

Kobe-Not a chance in hell
Bynum- nope even though he'd be a good candidate himself
Gasol- Hahahaha he's as weak as water.

Anyone else?

[milohimself]

I dunno, for some reason I just don't buy it. Dude has had I think 14 suspensions in his career before the one he is about to get now. I think he flew off the handle. Not necessarily unprovoked, harden has done his fair share of irritating, but I don't think it was planned.

[TXA&M07]

Maybe I'm looking to deep into this. Maybe the guy just lost it. One things for sure though, there is no way that wasnt intentional. Guess it coulda been anyone. If it was Durant, we would have seen this circus evolve into a full blown carnival though.

[TXA&M07]

Yep, youre spot on the Harden trash talk issue. He's been in Kobe's ear all season. Still looked like he was blindsided. You never quite know exactly whats being said on the court during a game.

Regardless, if I'm Stern, Ron would be done for the year. Postseason too.

[Yankee_Vol]

That was very intentional. He bumped him before he threw the elbow

[Thrasher865]

I'll have to watch it again, but I remember seeing Harden clearly adjust his path to bump Artest, not vice versa.

[005]

Probably gets a big suspension, but the Thunder are a very instigating bunch. I don't think this was fully malicious and intentional, but it won't be the last time a Thunder player gets clocked the way they act. JMO

[Yankee_Vol]

Originally Posted by Thrasher865

I'll have to watch it again, but I remember seeing Harden clearly adjust his path to bump Artest, not vice versa.

Either way. There was contact BEFORE the elbow. Plus he knew he was there whether he says so or not

[PowerT83]

All Harden did was try to get in position to take the inbound. I can't believe so many people are saying he deserved the elbow because of trash talking and playing in your face defense. Gary Payton wouldn't make it in today's NBA

[Rasputin_Vol]

Gotta be a season due to prior history.

[milohimself]

Originally Posted by Rasputin_Vol

Gotta be a season due to prior history.

Wont be anywhere near that. Took him wailing on a fan to get a full season and he already had a history by then