Hornets' Smith suspended, won't play against Spurs
By now you probably seen the hit New Orleans Hornets' Jason Smith gave Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin last night as Griffin was running to the rim. If you haven't, check it out.
Well the NBA came down on Smith and has suspended him two games without pay for his Flagrant Foul 2 on Griffin last night. This means Smith won't play against the San Antonio Spurs this Saturday night in New Orleans.
This should work in the Spurs favor as it would be one less big the team will have to contend with seeing how the Hornets game would be the last game on the team's back-to-back-to-back set of games. Also, it should comfort Spurs fans knowing a guy like this won't be taking cheap shots at Spurs driving to the rim.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? Think Smith's hit on Griffin was malicious and warranted the two-game suspension or is this a case of the NBA going overboard?
Plain and simple that was a dirty foul,you can't run your shoulder into a player on a fast break or anytime for that matter. If that was Tim Duncan everybody in San Antonio would want Smith dead, fouls like that can cause serious injury.
This is pathetic that this is considered even a flagrant foul. Remember Najera's foul on Manu in the playoffs two years ago where he grabbed him by the next and threw him to the ground? That only got Najera suspended one game, and THIS got Smith suspended for TWO? Also, have you noticed how Blake flops like a fish in every single game and any contact he has with any player he flies across the court. I don't like Blake Griffin at all; he is a disgrace to the NBA. He literally can't do anything besides dunk it and he is considered an MVP candidate. What a joke.
He said "Dunk on this!" hahaha. The NBA can't lose their cash cow, Blake Griffin, in a regular season game against the Hornets! I'm glad someone had the cojones not to run down the court and allow Griffin to make SportsCenter's top 10. Good job Smith.
It was a hard foul, NOT a dirty foul.
Flagrant? yes. Suspension? no.
Bynum got four games I believe for throwing his elbow into a guy's exposed ribs while he was mid air. This was a guy who was like half his size. That is how you hurt someone.
This was a body check while Griffin still had both feet on the ground. That's not a dirty, I-want-to-injure-someone type of foul. He was trying to cut off his lane to the basket and deliver a goof, hard foul and went too far imo.
KG grabs a player by the throat and the NBA is cool with it, but some no name dares to give a hard foul to Blake and everyone is in an uproar. This is the NBA trying to protect one of their Golden Calves and sending a message imo. It doesn't seem in line with the other stuff I've seen them let slide.
When there is that much money involved you have to protect your investment. NBA would lose millions if Griffin was hurt seriously. That being said, I hope it doesn't cause a knee jerk reaction and they start kicking everyone out of games for hard fouls. They should call fouls for flopping too (sorry Nash, Manu, Dirk), don't want a real sport to turn into soccer.
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@imwithstupid this wouldn't be a suspension back in the day. I miss those days of the nba
