Red, Come on guy. That was intentional as intentional gets. Riley was a good 5 feet to the left of where Askins was sitting. Artest, no doubt, intentionally walked over into Riles' direction for provocation purposes. I just saw a replay and there is no doubt about this. Before last nights game, I was always indifferent towards Artest. I think Stern is going to come down hard on him. Summary of what he did last night: 1) Technical foul for taunting the Miami bench 2) Flagrant foul for pushing Butler into the stands (cheap shot) 3) Bumped another team's coach 4) Made an obscene gesture, with both hands, in front of 15,000 people, alot of who were children My prediction: 10 games suspension
Okay, I just downloaded the video on ESPN. There is no way I am putting the blame on Artest. Artest turned around to walk back to the assistant and Riley stepped up to him thus creating the contact. Artest then used his forearm to push Riley away and Riles then struck back with a push. The initial contact was Riley's fault.
Alright, because of ya'll, I just watched the clip a couple of times on ESPN. I think the bump was intentional. He goes and says something to the assistant, turns and sees Riley there, and proceeds to turn back to the assistant coach so he can pretend like he didn't see Riley there and bump into him. But, you can see that he had seen Riley when he glanced up court.
See, if I was a player in the NBA, I would probably be a scrub. If I was on the Heat, I would probably be a starter on the Heat. But that is not the point. I would tell Riles to put me in so I can guard Artest. You guys know where I am going with this. I would undercut him, and trip over his leg. Do something like that. Maybe push him into Brad Miller. Something like that.
Whatever. I wouldn't convict him on evidence like that, but then I'm not going for a conviction. It seems plain to me what his intentions were. I don't need for you to see it too. I will grant you though that Riley was also looking for contact.
I agree with Juan. Artest was flexing, and looking away from Riley, but its pretty obvious he went over there on purpose for taunting reasons. Riley then responded. quite frankly, i'm curious why he wasnt ejected. from all those things he did, you would think he had accumulated 2 techs. maybe the refs were scared for the cameras
i had the same interpretation as JV and SC just showed the clip one more time as they went to commercial and there is no doubt. there could possibly be some doubt if it wasn't artest and they hadn't already had words i believe earlier. he basically went over to the bench, then looked up court so he had to see riley, then turned to talk to the assistant all the while walking along the sideline until he was right in front of riley. no way he just accidentally kept walking up the sideline to riley. apparently in the SC interview they're doing now he threw a water bottle in the stands once (somehow i didn't know that), punted a ball into the stands, body slammed glen robinson, and did some other stuff. brian grant - "he just needs to cool that **** out. no one's buyin' it. just play ball." my sentiments exactly.
I saw the thing live on NBA pass. It was absolutely intentional on Artest's part. He didn't just accidentally drift into Riley's face. The league should definately suspend him for flipping off the crowd, and I believe it will. The flagrant on Butler was chicken****, too. Maybe he is on roids.
He is a prick, *******, punk, beeyatch, etc. BUT, he also intimidates the $hit out of his opponents. He is a defensive specialist that can score as well as anyone. He can run the break, pass the ball, and rebound too. Very well rounded player. As much as he is hated and has anger problems, I would love to have that kind of talent on the Rockets.
I personally like him and his style of play, he's the new Rodman of the league. I'm not sure about him being an all star this year but he should be on the 1st team all defense. He worked hard this past off season and it showed because of the great improvement in his offensive game.
Here is a quote from Artest in response to bumping into Riley: "I heard some people say I bumped into Pat Riley, but actually I was looking back at the assistant coach and I was just walking, couldn't really see, and bumped into Pat Riley.'' He has admitted his wrong doing. I see no reason why he wouldnt tell the truth in this situation.
Red, Why would he 1) Walk towards the bench and 2) Walk towards Riley when the free throw line was behind him, not to his left, where Riley was. If he "couldn't see", then maybe he needs to wear glasses. Or better yet, someone should give him a map of the court.
Indiana's Artest Suspended Four Games NEW YORK, Jan. 29 -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest has been suspended without pay for four games for confronting and making physical contact with Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley, taunting the Heat bench, committing a flagrant-foul penalty two by pushing Heat guard Caron Butler into the stands and making an obscene gesture toward fans. The incidents occurred with 8:13 and 6:07 remaining, respectively, in the fourth period of the Pacers' 102-95 victory over the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena on Jan. 27. The announcement was made today by Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President Basketball Operations. -------------------------------------------------- I had predicted 10 games and I admit my prediction was probably a little overzealous. 4 games seems about right. I felt it would be more mainly due to the obscene gesture he made to all the fans (alot of kids too).
