With under 10 seconds left in Game 4 between the Magic and Lakers, Pau Gasol went up for a wide open dunk. In a heap of desperation, Mickael Pietrus ran full speed and fouled Gasol from behind. To foul, Pietrus used two closed fists to Gasol's back, and seemed like it was done out of anger -- to send a message. He was hit with a flagrant foul.
Now the question is: Does what Pietrus did warrant a 1-game suspension or not?
While the play didn't change the final outcome, I'm leaning towards suspension.
Vote in the poll and leave a comment to tell me what you think.
Here's the video. You be the judge.
--Max Caster
Absolutely not- Gasol was hanging on the rim when he got pushed in the back-- if anything Mr Bryants elbow to Jameer Nelson is worse (but according to the refs thats not a foul..)
ReplyDeleteOf course he should be suspended.
ReplyDeleteOf course he should be suspended, or at the least fined. That's such a dangerous foul to make and can end in severe injury. Peitrus was in no way going for the ball. He did it to send a message and/or hurt Gasol, there is no other reason for using your fists running full force into someone's back. Period.
ReplyDelete100% suspension and fine. No play on the ball with closed fists full speed and both arms smashing Gasol in the back.
ReplyDeletepietrus' flagrant foul (its called FLAGRANT for a reason), was OUTRIGHT intentional out of desperation and rage...regardless of whether it was before OR after gasol's dunk. kobe's accidental offensive elbow was in no way a strategy or premeditated...it was nelson running himself (face/jaw, namely), recklessly into kobe's shooting space....every professional basket ball player assumes the consequences of charging after someone who's in the shooting position...it's called strategy. lol, please spare me and everyone the water works.
ReplyDeleteNo, not only does he and the magic look bad. They lost on top of it. The rest of the embaressment will settle in game 5 after they lose.
ReplyDeleteFlagrant and very intentional. Suspension and fine. Gasol would've landed on his head if he wasn't tending the ring.
ReplyDeleteFine no suspension, this is the finals and i dont want to hear the Magic fans or anti-laker people saying the magic lost cause their best perimeter defense was suspended. Also if rondo can get away with breaking brad miller's face and tossing kirk hinrich into the scorer's table, Pietrus can settle with a fine....dirty and dangerous play tho.
ReplyDeleteyes, he should be suspended. Was it necessary to foul Gasol after he was going to for sure dunk the ball? And oh yeah the elbow to Jameer Nelson by Kobe doesn't deserve a foul because Nelson did not give him the room required to safely move the ball. The expert on ESPN said that
ReplyDeleteSuspension and fine. Cheap shot from a sore loser. Kobe's offensive foul was accidental, as can be seen from replays (His eyes were not on Nelson as he swung his arms up). Pietrus's move was flagrant and dangerous as the play was already over.
ReplyDeleteHe should be charged with assault. That foul was complete and utter bullshit. He made no play on the ball and his only intention was to hurt Pau. He should at least be given a suspension. I wish he hadn't done it though and they could lose gracefully. Imo that was the worst foul I've seen all playoffs.
ReplyDeleteHe shoulda hit him harder. Dunking with a five point lead as the clock runs out? You're better than that, Pau.
ReplyDeleteCheap, dirty, dangerous, and disgraceful. Suspension and fine are a no-brainer. Hitting from behind in any sport is penalized, even in ice-hockey! And with closed fists. Not only does Pietrus look like a neanderthal, he acts like one too. Dunk on them all the way to the title Pau.
ReplyDeleteSUSPENSION EVEN IF PAU DID NOT FALL, BECAUSE IF HE DID NOT HANG ON THE RIM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION, AND HE SHOULD GET SUSPENDED, DANGEROUS, CRIMINAL ACT, HE TRIED TO HURT HIM, HE WENT WITH HIS FIST CLOSED, THAT IS A CHEAP SHOT..
ReplyDeleteTHE NBA WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION TOWARDS PIETRUS, THAT IS A DISGRACE ON THE NBA PART, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT THEY WANT A GAME 6 IN L.A REASON WHY THEY DIDN'T TAKE ANY ACTION. IF IT WAS A REGULAR SEASON GAME NO QUESTION HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHEN OR WHAT KIND OF GAME IS IT. TO THE NBA GET YOUR SUSPENSIONS TOGETHER, WHAT FISHER DID TO THAT HOUSTON PLAYER IN THE WESTERN SEMIFINALS WAS SIMILAR AND I WILL SAY IT IS WORSE WHEN SOMEONE HITS YOU LIKE THAT FROM THE BACK WITHOUT YOU EVEN NOTICED IT. BAD CALL NBA..
ReplyDeleteNBA = disgrace
ReplyDeleteHas to be suspended. If Gasol wasnt hanging on to the rim it could have caused a serious injury