I think it was Magic Johnson had a pretty good take on it.

If it was an accident, wouldn't his first reaction be to turn around and see if whomever he just clocked is dead? Also, Ibaka stated that he went over to talk to him and Artest was ready to fight. His actions AFTER the elbow pretty much give him away.

Beside all that, who "bows up" their elbow and jerks it violently backward in celebration? Who does that???

I saw a kid at a high school game accidentally punch a guy right in the face after hitting a very important shot. He was swinging his fist in the air in celebration and turning his body back toward the defensive end of the court at the same time. He did not know that someone had moved right behind him. He caught the poor kid right in the chin and broke his jaw. He was immediately upset and trying to help. It was obvious that is was an accident, because he was obviously surprised and trying to help the kid he accidentally hit in the face. Artest is not surprised. He lined it up and took an intentional shot to the head - HARD. He could have seriously injured somebody.

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If it was an accident, wouldn't his first reaction be to turn around and see if whomever he just clocked is dead? Also, Ibaka stated that he went over to talk to him and Artest was ready to fight. His actions AFTER the elbow pretty much give him away.

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Bingo and the reason (combined with his history) why he probably is & should be gone for the year at least.

They should punish him with 1 round against Jon "Bones" Jones.

[This message has been edited by Syd_X_Barrett (edited 4/23/2012 1:17p).]

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I've heard a lot of push for "Harden's absence +2 games".

The NBA ought to start going that direction. If it is clear that you intentionally took a guy out like that, you have to be out AT LEAST 2 games longer than he is.

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I agree.

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I saw a kid at a high school game accidentally punch a guy right in the face after hitting a very important shot. He was swinging his fist in the air in celebration and turning his body back toward the defensive end of the court at the same time.

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This I could see. But when was the last time you EVER saw a person bow up one of their elbows at chin level and violently swing it backward in celebration?

Despite the fact that it often looks like random body movements, there are repeated motions people make when they celebrate. Chest bumping. The "we're #1" pointer finger. Clapping. Jumping around. The throat-cut. Even the Arsenio Hall arm wave. I can't say I've ever seen somebody celebrate by swinging their bowed-up elbow as violently backwards from their shoulder as possible. That's just a really, really, stupid "Ron Artest" thing for him to say.

To think that Harden could have been hit in the eye, temple, nose, etc since Artest had no idea where his elbow was going to land. Defend all you want Simplesimon but Artest is a punk and does not belong on the court for the remainder of the season.

Vegas has the over/under set at 7.5 games

Ariza punches Derozan in with a forearm to the face.... suspended 1 game

Kevin Love stomps on Scola's face.... suspended 2 games

Derek Fisher levels Scola with a forearm to the chest....suspended one game

Artest hits HArden in the ear.... burn him alive.

Your face takes a hit much better than the side of your head.

This will be Artest's 15th suspension. That's really all you need to know.

Howard elbows Dalembert, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcLhQyzZnmM

Malone elbows Nash, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0nIHCR--Bg

Vajejao/Allen, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyZowxARDCA

Garnett/Richardson elbow 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipFgECUCwvk

Ariza/Derozan, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrgd5v184Xs

[This message has been edited by Simplebay (edited 4/23/2012 8:07p).]

Oh! I get it. What are dirty plays that don't really resemble what artest did?

[This message has been edited by john32f (edited 4/23/2012 8:30p).]

Are you really this ****ing dense ?

Do you think the guy that gets arrested for his 6 th dwi should get the same punishment as the guy that got his first ?

I didn't see any concussions in those videos. Had Ariza connected that could have been a bad hit. The tap by Garnett happens under the basket all the time. Malone, who I hate, connected without a follow through. Couldn't really make out the Cleveland scuffle.

That being said, I'd love to see intentional fouls actually being detered. No purpose to act like that on the court.

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Howard elbows Dalembert, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcLhQyzZnmM

Malone elbows Nash, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0nIHCR--Bg

Vajejao/Allen, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyZowxARDCA

Garnett/Richardson elbow 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipFgECUCwvk

Ariza/Derozan, 1 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrgd5v184Xs

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Have any of these guys been suspended triple digit games in their careers?

Artest deserves the book thrown at him, he had his chance. Stop trying to make it seem this is normal.

Basically texags thinks he has played his last game as a laker then

Since the Lakers will get swept, then he will almost certainly be amnestied this summer

Give it up, simplesimon. Even Magic isn't defending this punk.

What the suspension should be =/= what it will be. I think the 5-10 game region is likely. I expect Artest back for the second round. That being said, I know how hard hyperboles get you, so carry on.

Simple, give it up. You are trying to defend a guy who has been suspended 15 times for stunts just like the one he pulled on Sunday. The reason why everyone is calling for his season to be over is because we are tired of that thug doing bush league sh*t over and over and over again. Apparently he still hasn't learned his lesson after 15 suspensions.

Take off the purple and gold glasses. Ya boy World Peace is a thug.

Simple,

If Artest had no history of flagrants and going insane I would have no problem with a 2 game suspension.

However, you are talking about the most suspended and psychotic player in the history of the NBA and probably professional sports. A guy that lost an entire season because he ran into the stands and beat up fans. He is a person who seriously needs mental help and really should not be playing professional sports. If he were an NFL player he would have been out of the league years ago. Other NBA players should not have to worry about a crazy person that likes to hurt people and has no control over themselves running around the court.

I personally hope the guy gets some real help before he wakes up a few years out of the league broke and in a homeless shelter. He is mentally ill.

when his hoops careers is over, he'll eventually crash and burn...but not before having at least one reality show.

Simpleton, stop guzzling MWP's baby batter and man up. He's been a DBag for a long time, and always will be. Go check yourself into a shelter for battered women and get away from him for your own safety.

To say that Artest has been thug the entire time is ridiculous.

I mean, just last year the NBA gave Artest the Citizenship award.

[This message has been edited by simplebay (edited 4/24/2012 11:07a).]

Announcement coming later thia afternoon. The fact that it has taken 2 full days to decide definitely meana it's a higher # for artest

Thought they wouldve announced yesterday. As did.everyone. would not be surprised at 10+ games now

Look at Artest's right hand, the one he's just swinging to run, see how he's holding it loose, like one normally does? Now look at his left hand, the one attached to the arm he nails Harden with, and notice it is tightly balled into a fist.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine he completely intended to bash Harden as hard as he could. That was not emotion and it was not an accident.

I know one guy like Simplebay. He prods and pokes at everyone around him, and plays devil's advocate whenever he can.

He also has no friends.

It doesn't take repeated viewings to understand it was wrong. If it was a legit accident, he would have checked up on Harden instead of facing up Ibaka.

Artest is not a thug, he is mentally ill. I have heard many folks say if you meet him is a really nice guy, well mannered and reasonable. He just snaps and is prone to irrational acts. Changing his name to Meta World Peace isn't exactly a normal thing to do either. The guy needs professional help, he doesn't need to be playing professional basketball.

For a time I thought he was more like Dennis Rodman but Rodman is really a showman that is pretty comfortable being a weird guy. Artest though comes across as someone who has real issues with self control and has a skewed view of reality. I'm all for giving guys second chances but I think he is on chance #15 or so and I honestly think he can't control himself.

It was intentional. This is not the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time. I personally believe he should be banned for that kind of behavior. If he had hit Hardin in the temple he could've killed him. He did not turn around like it was an accident so please quit acting like it that's just stupid.

what you are saying is as equally as idiotic. Artest is as likely to get 1 game suspension as he is kicked out of the freaking league for elbowing a guy in the ear

[This message has been edited by simplebay (edited 4/24/2012 12:19p).]

Not just an elbow to the ear, it was an MMA style move which concussed a fellow player. This is basketball not the octagon.

I'd rather the NBA wait until after Thursday to announce his punishment.

I'm feeling more and more confident based on things coaches and former players are saying that Artest is done for the year.

The Thunder will definitely not announce Harden is cleared to play until the suspension is handed out. Smart move by them

I'm guessing Harden won't miss more than 2 playoff games. If any.