Tag: suspension

Joakim Noah Suspended 20 Games by NBA for Drug Violation

Memphis Grizzlies v New York Knicks
 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Joakim Noah’s recovery time from knee surgery just got an involuntary extension. The Knicks center has been suspended for 20 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, the NBA announced today.

Noah tested positive for using over the counter supplements. The substance is known as SARMs, and per the US Anti-Dopy Agency is a drug that has “anabolic agents” without the side effects of traditional steroid use.

Noah, who is in the first year of a four-year, $72 million dollar contract with the Knicks, has not played a game since February 4 and was expected to miss the rest of the season due to left knee surgery. The suspension will begin once Noah is medically cleared to play at the beginning of next season.

Noah is averaging 5 points and 8 rebounds over 46 games this year.

What an embarrassment. However, I’m not convinced this is actually a bad thing. Anything that gets Willy Hernangomez more minutes and time to get acclimated as our starting center is a blessing. As for Noah, we’re stuck with him for three more years. No GM that wants to remain employed will take that contract, so we can only hope Noah gets himself together enough to contribute something.

 

 

 

 

Matt Barnes Suspended 2 Games for Derek Fisher Fight

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League sources have confirmed that Memphis Grizzlies guard Matt Barnes will serve a two-game suspension for an October fistfight with Knicks coach Derek Fisher at the Southern California home of Barnes’ estranged wife.

Fisher, who had reportedly been dating Barnes’ estranged wife Gloria Govan for several months, made a visit to the home while Barnes’ young children were present. One of the children notified Barnes, who raced to the home and confronted Fisher.

Fisher reportedly suffered minor scratches but declined to press charges. Both men were previously teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Barnes will serve the suspension on Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat and a Saturday game against the Utah Jazz.

At press time, Fisher has not commented on the ruling.

 

 

Quincy Acy Suspended One Game for Flagrant Foul on John Wall

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Knicks forward Quincy Acy has been hit with a one game suspension for his flagrant foul two on the Wizards’ John Wall during the fourth of quarter of yesterday’s Christmas game.

The incident happened with 5:31 left in the game. Wall attempted to drive and was knocked to the floor via a hard shove from Acy, who then stood over the Wizards’ point guard. Wall rose and shoved Acy, creating a brief wrestling match. Acy was issued a flagrant foul two and ejected from the game. Wall was cited with a technical.

NBA basketball operations president Rod Thorn also fined Wall $15,000 for the push.

Acy will miss the Knicks’ December 27 road game againt the Kings.

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Meh. I think Acy just had enough to the Knicks’ futility and wanted to enjoy the rest of his Christmas. Enjoy your extended weekend, Quincy. And somewhere, Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley are rolling their eyes at that supposed flagrant.

 

JR Smith Receives Five-Game Suspension for NBA Substance Abuse Violation

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JR Smith has been suspended five games without pay for the 2013-2014 season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

League sources have disclosed Smith was cited for marijuana, which warrants a five-game minimum.

Smith had a breakout season last year for the Knicks, notching Sixth Man of the Year honors after averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His performance earned him a three-year, 17 million dollar deal with New York earlier this summer.

Smith is expected to miss the first month of the season after undergoing knee surgery in July. The suspension will begin with his first eligible game of the season.

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JR…JR…JR. I guess this should be expected with him having way too much idle time on his hands. I’m not going to flip out about weed, if that’s indeed what he tested positive for, but actually getting caught? JR damn well isn’t the only one in the league that has a recreational puff every now and then, but as a league vet he should know all the tricks to ensure he doesn’t embarrass the team. Leave that fuckery to guys like Michael Beasley.

With that said, I have another concern with whether this is the only drug JR is indulging in. There were rumors in the last few games of the Celtics series, and second round with the Pacers, that it wasn’t just Rihanna’s vagina that had JR playing badly. JR was linked with coke-filled wild parties and that would explain his horrid 33% shooting in the post-season.

What’s done is done. Knicks fans know by now that JR is a knucklehead. But he’s OUR knucklehead, and the man will rightly get a standing ovation at his first home game back.

Flagrant Elbow Earns JR Smith Suspension for Game 4 Against Celtics

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The NBA announced late last night that JR Smith will serve a one game suspension for his flagrant 2 elbow on Jason Terry during the fourth quarter of game 3 against the Celtics Friday night.

The play came when Terry attempted a hard swipe of the ball on the perimeter, resulting in Smith swinging an elbow that first landed on Terry’s chest and then face. Terry had to be restrained by teammates and officials. Smith was ejected after the play was reviewed.

The Knicks went on to win the game 90-76 and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Smith has been averaging 16 points thus far in the playoffs and is the Knicks second leading scorer.

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This decision is just another reminder to the Knicks that as one of the premier teams in the league, they’ll be extra scrutiny on everything they do. Much like Kevin Durant got a BS fine for simply doing a throat slash, the Knicks have been victim of overreactive disciplinary actions from the NBA front office. Melo got one earlier in the season for attempting to confront Kevin Garnett after the game despite no punches or up-close confrontation happening. Hell, KG choked a Knicks players after a game in the 2011 and there wasn’t a peep from the NBA about a suspension.

In a way, I’m glad JR learned how important he is to the team and not to risk his contributions on silly retaliatory shots. Nonetheless, I still want the sweep today so someone else needs to step up and bury the boys in the green. I’m looking at you, Chris Copeland.

[youtube http://youtu.be/1dbh-xgZxjI]

NBA Suspends Carmelo Anthony One Game For Garnett Confrontation

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The NBA has announced Carmelo Anthony will serve a one game suspension for attempting to confront Kevin Garnett Monday night following the Knicks’s 102-96 loss to the Celtics.

Although Anthony has since disclosed their issues were resolved via a phone call, the footage of Anthony waiting outside the Celtics tour bus and having to be restrained by police made national headlines.

Anthony will serve his one game suspension this coming Thursday when the Knicks face the Indiana Pacers.

The loss of Anthony comes as the Knicks are struggling through a difficult stretch going back to the last week of December. The team has only won two of its last five games.

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This is a league that’s all about appearances so I’m not surprised. As soon as the footage of Melo looking like a goon waiting for KG got picked up by outlets like TMZ, and was plastered as a main headline on Yahoo!, it was only a matter of time before an unnecessary suspension was handed down. Funny enough, Zack Randolph earlier this year attempted to confront Kendrick Perkins after a game. But because there was no footage nor extensive coverage, Randolph only received a fine.

Here’s one case where playing in a big market and having star power can work against you.

Not much funny about this situation for Knicks fans, but the below pic at least got a smirk out of me.

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