It's almost as bad as Kermit Washington's The Punch. But Kermit was in a fight. Artest was in a celebration. Harden could have been hurt as badly as Rudy T if the elbow landed on the face. It was not "premeditated" in the sense that he probably didn't know it was Harden or anybody. He just felt someone coming at him and swung the elbow. (In that, it was similar to Washington's punch.) Anyone who think that Artest didn't intent to dole out some hurt at that moment is blind.
That was 100% intentional. In the history of the nba who's celebrated by swinging their elbow from above their head when an opposing player is right there? Artist deliberately smashed Harden's ear and temple with an elbow. I was once a big Artest fan. Even bought a free Ron Ron shirt after the Malice at the Palace incident but this was actually far worse and inexcusable.
The fact that you got baited from a completely sarcastic post automatically turns your post into the dumbest.
Woops. I meant shoved. Big Ben shoved Artest during the Pistons-Pacers brawl if I remember correctly.
Lol, it really could have. That would've been awesome. The nba needs to start making those commercials again. Man I miss 09
Seriously what goes on in some players heads? Do they think that stuff will just pass by like that? Hes denying it and says it was accidental when there's a hundred cameras on board.
C'mon now...you've watched enough basketball to know most players, if not all, will tell you it's a way to stand up for your team and your teammate. It sends a message that you're not just going to let it slide. It's basically the equivalent of hitting a hitter, or throwing near his body, in baseball. Is there no point to that? I didn't say it was a good thing or that they should have reacted. I was talking about Durant. The other guys actually had stronger reactions than Durant did. Ibaka started jawing with Ron, Westbrook started to go after Ron. My issue is, Durant was the closest guy and had a front row seat. No one else's view show how vicious that elbow was. That first guy has to say something to Ron, anything. Thats why they're getting pushed around in the first place. Durant understood it, he was looking right at it. I dont' expect Durant to attack Artest. I just dont understand how there's no reaction on his part. Not even a scowl, a stare at Ron, nothing. I can understand being scared of Artest, but even guys who are scared manage to say something as they walk away to avoid a confrontation. I can't think of any other guy in his position, star go to guy, that would have done the same. Not even Duncan.
Did you guys see the play where Kobe poked Durant in the eye and in the next play Durant poked his eye?
At that moment Ron looked like he was on crack. Guess a dunk has same affect of drug? Question, does the penalty have a lot to with how bad Harden's situation is?
lol yes, i did see that. funny how durant got poked in the eye and just moved off to the side, where as kobe got into a fit and punched the ball to the ground.
That Harden was knocked out and received a concussion tells the NBA plenty about how "accidental" that elbow was, which will play in to how hard the hammer falls on him.
At full speed. It was "what a flop!". At slow mo. "ouch!!" After knowing how bad the injury to Harden. " BAN HIM!" At least thats how I felt. Looking at those replays. It just does not strike me as an intentional, hence I'm hoping that the ban that WILL be coming is not too long.
