NBA Bias?

[matthollabak]

I just had to point out that the NBA suspended Roy Hibbert for the altercation against the Warriors which was basically a shoving match...but will not suspend Ibaka for the TNT game tonight after hitting someone in the nuts. I titled this thread NBA Bias because I have no doubt that the fact that this game will be on TNT factored into the decision making.

This is almost as bad as Wade getting virtually nothing (Flagrant 1 if I remember correctly) for tackling DC from behind in the playoffs last year after an almost identical foul from Jason Smith committed on Blake Griffin earlier in the year incurred an automatic ejection from the game and a 2 game suspension.

I was curious if I was missing something or if I was in the wrong for being furious that they are not suspending Ibaka after a blatant punch to the groin after suspending Roy for a minor altercation in which there was shoving but no punches were thrown?

[matthollabak]

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/3/5...-no-suspension

There is a gif on there with the foul...no way can you even remotely claim that was accidental.

[Pacerlive]

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/3/5...-no-suspension

There is a gif on there with the foul...no way can you even remotely claim that was accidental.

OF course there is a bias but as long as people watch it won't matter. The NBA doesn't care what Pacers fans think as long as they aren't the golden child team in the league that can do no wrong.

[jacquewho?]

Great points matt, especially with the DC incident from last year's playoffs.

Until David Stern is out, there will never be a fair punishment system across the league.

It's like the lockout that happened last year. We all complained about the owners and players being selfish, greedy, etc and hated everything about that group for the summer and fall. But once basketball came back, the fans did too. That's the power of great entertainment.

[matthollabak]

We just got yanked from ESPN so the Bobcats could get some National TV exposure

Per Mike Wells last night and ESPN has a spokesman state again after the Heat loss that they would still air the Heat v Bobcats in place of the Pacer v OKC game due to their "national appeal."

ESPN took Pacers-OKC April. 5 game off the air in favor of Miami-Bobcats. It won't be win 33 or 34, it'll be win 32 for Heat. That's a joke

Hey at least Karma is now laughing at what should be a meaningless (since Miami's streak is now over) unwatchable stomping by Miami on ESPN over 2 of the best young wings in the game going at it in KD and PG...with Granger hopefully ready to go as well. I've said this many times but I prefer to watch on FSMW....but you don't bring back the casual and bandwagon fans in the area unless they are talked about and getting national exposure.