Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Plainly speaking, Carmelo Anthony should have received no discipline for his actions toward Kevin Garnett. Anthony went after Garnett in the tunnel after a game in which both received technical fouls for jawing back and forth with each other, and then was caught on video waiting at the Boston Celtics team bus looking for their big man.
However, the NBA has no right to assume things in this case. Anthony could have been waiting to apologize to Garnett. Who knows? Had there not been an on court altercation (including the confrontation in the tunnel), Anthony’s waiting at the bus would not have been a big deal. David Stern should not be able to suspend Anthony (without pay, by the way) for not really doing anything at all.
“There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game,” NBA executive vice president basketball operations Stu Jackson said in regard to the suspension. “Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday’s game and therefore a suspension was warranted.”
Prior to the decision being announced, Anthony said “If you just go off the actual facts of what happened, I don’t think anything will happen.”
The facts: Anthony and Garnett received technical fouls, Anthony yelled at Garnett after the game but made no physical contact, and waited for him at the bus after the game but no physical altercation occurred.
Anthony will serve his (unwarranted) suspension tonight as the New York Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers.
Follow Thomas Duffy on Twitter @TD_Knicks for articles, news, and all things NBA.
