Rafer Alston Suspended

by UofTOrange on Nov 14, 2008 1:17 PM CST in Random Commentary

Considering he didn't throw a punch, 2 games is asinine, but that's what he gets. Matt Barnes received two games as well. Oddly enough, they even suspended Steve Nash for one game. It looked that, although he escalated the situation, that he get the brunt of the pushing done to him.

Chronicle story by Feigen here

Breakdown:

Rafer Alston - 2 Games
Matt Barnes - 2 Games
Steve Nash - 1 Game

Shaquille O'Neal - $35,000
Tracy McGrady - $25,000

I actually liked this quote from McGrady, shows a little heart:

Asked about Barnes retaliating by running through an Alston screen, rather than on McGrady directly, McGrady said, "He chose wisely."

Rafer being out won't hurt the Rockets as much tonight, but tomorrow he won't get to try and trash talk Chris Paul. I honestly think it works a little on CP3, he tends to score more than pass against us. Oh, what's that? He puts up double digit assists anyway? Well alrighty then...

Aaron Brooks will start tonight, some of you will get your wish. Brent Barry is potentially out with a sprained thumb.

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Comments

I love Brooks

But I thought part of his effectiveness was that explosive energetic speed coming off the bench. I’ll take it, though.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 14, 2008 1:31 PM CST reply actions

we need to start a list

of all the times Rafer has hurt himself and the team by getting mindfucked by role players on the opposition. Grrrrrrrr.

by grungedave on Nov 14, 2008 1:35 PM CST reply actions

I can blame Rafer...

for the drunk driving and drunken fighting and all of his many missed shots.
But I can’t blame him for getting in Barnes’ face after he got hit.

by jack_ on Nov 14, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

The ref was looking right at the play and did nothing, where is his 2 game suspension?

He held up his hand about 2 seconds later to signify McGrady’s 3 pointer. That must have been more important than the blatant cheap shot Barnes took on Rafer. I don’t see how the instigator (Barnes) gets the same suspension as Rafer. Rafer should have gotten 1 game to Barnes 2. I like that Rafer doesn’t back down from anyone, but he needs to learn to stay cool. They may not miss him tonight vs the Spurs, but tomorrow night vs C3P he definitely will be missed. AB has played lights out the last 2 games, but alone he will not be able to contain the best point guard in the league.

Rockets can still win vs NO if the big 3 + AB/Carl step it up a notch.

by oiler-texan diehard on Nov 14, 2008 1:58 PM CST reply actions

I think we got off easy... The Suns got slammed in this one.

I don’t begrudge Rafer for standing up to a “goon.” All he did was get in the guys face.. 2 games seems stupid… Hope one of them is tonight!

by 34forDreaming on Nov 14, 2008 2:12 PM CST reply actions

I wish no one was suspended at all...

…but in any case I thought Steve Nash deserved the suspension more than Barnes. Oh well. With Tony Parker out I’m not worried about losing Rafer Alston.

by Jeffrey on Nov 14, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

I can understand suspending Rafer

after all he did theoretically “escalate the altercation.” However I can’t understand how Barnes doesn’t get a larger suspension than Rafer.

by jack_ on Nov 14, 2008 4:12 PM CST up reply actions

Barnes should’ve received a one-game suspension and everyone else should have been fined. According to NBA rules … unless you grab a ref during a near-first round playoff loss while wearing #5 for the Celtics

In my world …

Alston should’ve received 2 games for NOT punching Barnes and just doing the wussy chest-bump thing. One game for a punch. Then, he went after Nash only when Barbosa was holding him back — another game suspension. 3 total. Speaking of which, Barbosa should get a game for throwing a half-nelson on Nash’s creaking arm. Shaq should’ve received a 1 game suspension for every guy he pushed from behind (3 of them, I think) instead of walking up to them like a real man.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Nov 14, 2008 4:18 PM CST reply actions

For what it's worth

I wouldn’t have suspended Barnes. All the guy did was deliver a cheap foul that wasn’t called. Not his fault the referees blew it.

by Jeffrey on Nov 14, 2008 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

T-Mac's quote

The balls.

The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by Stephen Higdon on Nov 14, 2008 5:07 PM CST reply actions

Just watched it on YouTube

Interesting how the league broke this one down. Barnes seemed to be the worst. Obviously Rafer should have let it go. But they got the same penalty? Also, it seemed like Shaq and McGrady were doing more shoving than Nash, who seemed to be pretty pissed, but that’ s about it, yet he was suspended and the other two were only fined. Weird.

by m-W on Nov 15, 2008 10:30 AM CST reply actions