Ten players, including NBA scoring leader Carmelo Anthony, were ejected for fighting during a wild brawl near the end of Saturday night's game between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks.
All 10 players on the court at the time were tossed for their involvement in the ugly incident that spread across the court and spilled into the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
The brawl was the NBA's scariest incident since Indiana Pacers players fought with Detroit Pistons' fans on the court and in the stands in 2004.
Anthony scored 34 points before the melee took place with 1:15 left in the Nuggets' 123-100 victory over the Knicks.
Denver led 119-100 when Knicks guard Mardy Collins grabbed Denver's J.R. Smith around the neck as Smith was going in for a breakaway layup. Smith got up and jawed with Collins, and New York's Nate Robinson jumped in to yell at Smith.
"They were having their way with us," Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said. "I think J.R. Smith had just made one dunk when he reversed and spun in the air. And I think Mardy didn't want our home crowd to see that again. So he fouled him."
Anthony rushed in and pushed Robinson in the neck, triggering the roughest moment, when Robinson and Smith went flying into the stands while fighting with each other. Anthony also appeared to throw a punch at Collins, and then backed away toward the center of the court.
New York's Jared Jeffries ran from the baseline toward Anthony, but was tackled by a Denver player. The brawl stretched to the other end of the court toward the Nuggets' bench before coaches and security finally pulled Smith away and restored order.
Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, Eduardo Najera, Smith and Anthony were the Nuggets who were ejected; Channing Frye, David Lee, Collins, Robinson and Jeffries were the Knicks who were kicked out.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league would "review the incident in its entirety. Until then, it would not be appropriate to comment."
Nuggets, Knicks engage in brawl; 10 players ejected
And I have 2 players among the 10 players that were ejected that are in my team in my Fantasy league: JR Smith and David Lee. I am just hoping that their suspensions wouldn't be that long. _________________
Anthony suspended 15 games, no suspension for Thomas
By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer
December 18, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NBA came down hard on the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets, and none of the brawlers was spared.
Not Carmelo Anthony, the NBA's leading scorer, who got the harshest punishment, a 15-game suspension. And not the teams themselves, who were fined an unprecedented half-million dollars each Monday.
"I was very disappointed," Commissioner David Stern said. "Clearly, we're not getting through or players in certain circumstances just don't want to be restrained. I would suggest that those players will not have long careers in the NBA."
In all, seven players were suspended for a fight that spilled into the stands at Madison Square Garden with just over a minute left in Saturday night's game. The penalties were without pay, costing Anthony about $641,000 in salary.
Also suspended: New York's Nate Robinson and J.R. Smith of the Nuggets, 10 games; New York's Mardy Collins, six; teammate Jared Jeffries, four. The Knicks' Jerome James and the Nuggets' Nene each were penalized one game for leaving the bench area during the chaos.
Though there was no separate penalty for Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, who warned Anthony not to go into the lane before the mayhem started, Nuggets coach George Karl singled him out for the sharpest criticism, calling his actions "despicable."
"There's no question in my mind it was premeditated," said Karl, whose team now faces an even tougher time making the playoffs. "He made a bad situation worse. He's a jerk for what he's trying to do."
It was the NBA's scariest scene since the brawl between Indiana Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans two years ago. The league is still recovering from that episode, and Stern made it clear the players needed to control themselves -- or else.
"We have set up the goal of eliminating fighting from our game. We haven't eliminated it completely," Stern said.
The record fines were "more general message that I'm going to start holding our teams accountable," he said.
Asked about the previous largest fine for on-court misbehavior, the NBA couldn't find anything remotely close.
NBA players' union director Billy Hunter said he would talk to Anthony and his agent Tuesday before deciding whether to pursue an appeal.
"I think that 15 is a bit heavy," Hunter said. "I don't think 15 games is necessary. I think it's out of whack compared to what been imposed in the past."
If there's any upside to the story, it's that the Knicks and Nuggets won't play again this season.
"The incident was deeply regrettable, unacceptable on every level and I hope and expect to never witness anything like it again. We are all very sorry it happened," Garden chairman James Dolan said.
The fight started just as Denver's 123-100 victory was wrapping up, and 10 players were ejected.
Stern was especially troubled by the fight between Robinson and Smith that landed in the seats.
"My concern is actually for the safety of the players and the fans, and when things get out of hand you cannot predict or project where they're going to go," Stern said. "There were certain players who weren't going to allow themselves to be calmed."
There was speculation Thomas would be penalized for his comments to Anthony. Stern acknowledged hearing about it, but said he relied only on "definitive information" when handing out punishments.
But Stern was clearly annoyed by remarks from Thomas and the Knicks that the Nuggets were somehow responsible because they kept four starters on the floor late in the blowout.
The brawl began when Collins prevented Smith from an easy basket by grabbing him around the neck and taking him to the floor.
Smith got up and immediately started jawing with Collins, and Robinson jumped in to pull Smith away. Anthony shoved Robinson, and Robinson and Smith then tumbled into the front row while fighting.
Just as things appeared to be calming down, Anthony threw a hard punch that floored Collins. Jeffries sprinted from the baseline toward halfcourt in an effort to get at Anthony, but was tackled by a Denver player.
By the time security finally contained Smith, the players were nearly at the opposite end of the court from where things started.
In Denver, Karl was blunt with his criticism of Thomas.
"I think his actions after the game were despicable. He made a bad situation worse. I'll swear on my children's life that I never thought about running up the score. I wanted to get a big win on the road.
"My team has had trouble holding leads at the end of games," he added. "I didn't want the score to get under 10 points because if it would've gotten under 10 points it would've had a negative feeling on my team."
Thomas declined comment on Karl's remarks. His undermanned Knicks upset the Utah Jazz in overtime Monday night, 97-96, on a layup by Stephon Marbury just before the buzzer.
"We are in concurrence with whatever the league has offered us, and whatever the commissioner said we support and will abide by," Thomas said.
Karl has bigger problems now. He'll be without Anthony until the Nuggets' game at Houston on Jan. 20, and Smith will be gone until Jan. 8. That duo combines for more than 48 points a game.
"It's going to be tough," said Nuggets center Marcus Camby, one of the five players ejected who wasn't suspended. "It's already tough being in the Western Conference, and missing guys like J.R. and Carmelo is going to make it even worse."
Anthony's conduct represents a big blow to the All-Star player, team and league. He starred as a captain on the U.S. team at the world championships this summer, and had been getting more marketing opportunities as one of the league's brightest young stars.
Stern took none of that into account when issuing his decision.
"We judged him on his actions on the court, period," Stern said. "And they deserved a harsh penalty."
"We are in concurrence with whatever the league has offered us, and whatever the commissioner said we support and will abide by," Thomas said.
He can say those things because he didn't lose superstars in his team. I mean, look at those players who got suspended for the Knicks: Collins, Jeffries and Jerome James, the Knicks can play without these guys around. I bet Thomas wouldn't be saying that if he lost a player like Anthony.......oh wait, I totally forgot that he doesn't have any player with the same caliber as Anthony.
The_Lyrics wrote:
hahaha, he'll probably show them up
I just hope it doesn't start a brawl _________________
He can say those things because he didn't lose superstars in his team. I mean, look at those players who got suspended for the Knicks: Collins, Jeffries and Jerome James, the Knicks can play without these guys around. I bet Thomas wouldn't be saying that if he lost a player like Anthony.......oh wait, I totally forgot that he doesn't have any player with the same caliber as Anthony.
Yup.
Isiah's an idiot.
He was a thug back in his Detroit playing days and he's brought that to the Knicks...
Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 2182 Location: on topic: off forum Country:
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:46 am Post subject:
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson was traded by the 76ers to the Denver Nuggets, a person in the NBA with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was not announced, did not know the terms of the deal.
ESPN.com said the trade would send Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the 76ers for Iverson and perhaps another minimum-salaried player or two.
I guess they want somebody to straighten out Carmelo on his technique when his suspension ends.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson was traded by the 76ers to the Denver Nuggets, a person in the NBA with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was not announced, did not know the terms of the deal.
ESPN.com said the trade would send Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the 76ers for Iverson and perhaps another minimum-salaried player or two.
I guess they want somebody to straighten out Carmelo on his technique when his suspension ends.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson was traded by the 76ers to the Denver Nuggets, a person in the NBA with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was not announced, did not know the terms of the deal.
ESPN.com said the trade would send Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the 76ers for Iverson and perhaps another minimum-salaried player or two.
I guess they want somebody to straighten out Carmelo on his technique when his suspension ends.
If you look at it in the fantasy basketball point of view (also applies in reality), this trade is in favor of Andre Miller rather than Allen Iverson. With the Sixers having no true point guard, and having scorers like Iguodala, Korver and Chris Webber, Miller will be touching the ball more often, but not to shoot it, but to pass it to these scorers and see his assists go up unlike in Denver where JR Smith is actually taking away the limelight from him.
Now we head over to Iverson. He will have his glory.......atleast for the next 14 games. But when Anthony comes back, that is where the trouble will begin. Both players are scoring champions and have a lot of pride. With that said, no one is gonna sacrifice the scoring chores for the Nuggets that easily. Add up JR Smith to the mix and you've got chaos. Now that will be a major headache for George Karl. Another headache for Karl is that now he will be handling 3 players with attitude problems: Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Iverson. I really don't see this trade in apositive way for both Iverson and the Nuggets. He could have been better off with the Timberwolves since Garnett have expressed that he is willing to sacrifice his scoring just for Iverson. _________________
nod a bad trade for Sixers. They got a true point quard, an expiring contract in Joe Smith, who can also be a solid backup for Chris Webber, and most importantly, two 2007 first-round picks ! well, Sixers can do better if they trade AI earlier.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson was traded by the 76ers to the Denver Nuggets, a person in the NBA with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was not announced, did not know the terms of the deal.
ESPN.com said the trade would send Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the 76ers for Iverson and perhaps another minimum-salaried player or two.
I guess they want somebody to straighten out Carmelo on his technique when his suspension ends.
2 ball hogs in one team.. perfect.
well.. maybe they'll change their ways ne? _________________
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on the Lakers, and the Wizards win in OT, 147-141.
I am just hoping that their suspensions wouldn't be that long. 
