NEW YORK, May 2, 2008 – Washington Wizards forward Darius Songaila has received a one game suspension without pay for striking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the face with his hand, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. The incident occurred with 3:20 remaining in the first period of Washington’s 88-87 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday, April 30 at Quicken Loans Arena. Songaila will serve the suspension tonight when the Wizards host Cleveland in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round. NBA.com Why not suspend Deshawn?
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I think his arm moves waay too fast for it to be intentional. Just the way their arms unraveled, but he didn't care to stop it. Pierce intentionally throws up gang signs, no suspension. Zaza intentionally headbuts KG after KG intentionally lashes his arm at Zaza, no suspensions. Songaila's arm flails with questionable intention, he sits a game. I'm glad I only watch Rockets games.
I just watched that clip thinking how wonderful it would be if Mcgrady got the same foul call with the same contact that he takes on almost every drive going to the rim that Lebron gets. Forget the dang punch and technicals. It would be so nice if Mcgrady was just able to get the same call Lebron gets.
That was one of those moves that might be intentional but you cant really tell. If Matt Harpring did that to McGrady this whole place would be up in arms.
Harpring has three times the body contact, three times the physicality against McGrady driving as Songaila had against Lebron on that drive. Like I said, forget the techs and the slap to the face after the play was over. I'd just like McGrady to get the same call on his drives that Lebron gets.
it looked bad from the first angle but i think the camera behind the posts is the one to look at. their arms are locked up in an awkward way... shameful, shameful acting by lebron to milk that.
What about KG elbowing ZaZa then shoving a ref? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2bh6u8_VW8 How about LeBrons elbow to Andray Blatche? http://youtube.com/watch?v=fjwPU046On4 Wow David Stern, just wow
I agree. I'm indifferent on whether he gets the suspension, it could go either way. Unfortunately NBA playoff intensity = thug antics this year (this is not directed at the Songalia incident). And it's only going to get worse each round. I'm a basketball fan, and it's getting annoying that half the talk about many matchups is the cheap shots.
I agree...the lack of consistency in these decisions is appalling. That said, I would hate for Lebron/KG/Anyone to miss a game because of a shove or something. Maybe they should delay suspensions until the next season or something. Songaila was screwed.
yeah, no consistency, you hit it right on the spot. This is like letting a way for Stern to make sure the Cavs and Celts will go to the next round... the ratings are so involved...
I agree. That's what I saw too. First angle I was oh man he did hit him, but then I saw the 2nd angle from behind I could see their arms locked up and as lebron brought his arm up it forced Darius' arm to hit him.
That call is ridiculous. There was absolutely no way in hell that was intentional, and it's disgusting how much protection Lebron gets from Stern. If they're going to call Songalia on this, Boozer should have been suspended for that shot to Landry's face. Guess what? We get nothing. Disgusting.
Forgot about that. That incident is more analogous to this one, except Landry broke his tooth and kept going while Lebron got a love tap and boo-hooed about it for the next half hour.
There arms were tangled up and Songalia was trying to get Lebron off him so it was not intentional. But the way this series has been that is probably why he was suspended. In any other series he isn't suspended.
