Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Wed May 06, 2009 11:40 pm EDT

What the heck was Rafer Alston thinking?

By Kelly Dwyer

Eddie House(notes) can be a little chirpy; I think we can all agree on that. He's also pretty amazing at shooting the ball, and if he gets a few open looks to go in during the early part of a game, you can bet that he'll make a few contested — nutso — looks as the game moves along.

But is that any reason to slap a man? However playfully? For whatever reason? Even if it didn't hurt much?

The question now? Does that slap constitute a punch, which results in an automatic (no matter the context) one-game (at least) suspension? Or does the open hand keep Alston within the bounds of the legal? After all, Kevin Garnett(notes) does the same thing to his teammates about 15 times per game, up to and including tonight. That said, I'm leaning toward the former. How about you?

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180 Comments

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  1. Dan K
    1. Posted by Dan K Wed May 06, 2009 11:38 pm EDT

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    suspened the guy!!! if you dont everyone will be slapping each other!
  2. Sean
    2. Posted by Sean Wed May 06, 2009 11:47 pm EDT

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    they need to set a precedent and this crap shouldn't be tolerated.
  3. Arun
    3. Posted by Arun Wed May 06, 2009 11:53 pm EDT

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    SUSPEND HIM!!!!
    Go Mavs!
  4. Marky Mark
    4. Posted by Marky Mark Wed May 06, 2009 11:58 pm EDT

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    Free the slap, the slap is good. The NBA should legalise it as a legitimate move and allow 1 slap per player per quarter for use in blow out games.
  5. ilozmwl
    5. Posted by ilozmwl Wed May 06, 2009 11:59 pm EDT

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    I think the look on Skip's face seals it. It isn't playful--he's pissed off!
  6. Leifericson
    6. Posted by Leifericson Thu May 07, 2009 12:00 am EDT

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    That was not in fun.
    You have to suspend him for that.
    He hit him when his back was turned so I'm thinking that you need to make it even more severe.
  7. - -
    7. Posted by - - Thu May 07, 2009 12:01 am EDT

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    lol hahahahaahahahah
  8. sowatpplz
    8. Posted by sowatpplz Thu May 07, 2009 12:02 am EDT

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    oooo here the link..for the dirty play by MR. Lfaker kobe
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PsPATt5_DA
  9. lamachine
    9. Posted by lamachine Thu May 07, 2009 12:04 am EDT

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    If you're not going to suspend KMart for shoving Dirk, you BETTER suspend Rafer for slapping a dude after the play has been made and he's running back on D. I'm sorry but this ain't And1, Skip. You wanna make it personal, fine, then get in front of your man and start shutting him down....
  10. tupark82
    10. Posted by tupark82 Thu May 07, 2009 12:05 am EDT

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    LOL. That is freaking HILARIOUS. I actually just saw a replay of that during the Lakers Rockets halftime. That is just so funny looking. I guses he should get punished for being so inappropriate... it's still funny looking
  11. celtics
    11. Posted by celtics Thu May 07, 2009 12:07 am EDT

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    suspend the dickkkkk
  12. sowatpplz
    12. Posted by sowatpplz Thu May 07, 2009 12:07 am EDT

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    they should suspend kobe for this dirty play on shane during game 1... take a look at the replay...kobe should be suspended but so far no one say a word about it......
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PsPATt5_DA
  13. adam ragos
    13. Posted by adam ragos Thu May 07, 2009 12:07 am EDT

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    haha!! go magic!
  14. jimmycrackcorn
    14. Posted by jimmycrackcorn Thu May 07, 2009 12:08 am EDT

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    if u look at a different angle then house threw an elbow as if he was trying to make alston flinch, but smackin a dude in the back of the head isnt called for
  15. Victor
    15. Posted by Victor Thu May 07, 2009 12:09 am EDT

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    People have gotten away with more than that.
  16. wayne o
    16. Posted by wayne o Thu May 07, 2009 12:15 am EDT

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    I think he is slapping the wrong guys. He ought to slap the referees. Battiet (spell) gets elbowed, no call, Yao gets charged by Bryant, no called. Slap somebody that deserves it.
  17. myspace.com/blacktmusic
    17. Posted by myspace.com/blacktmusic Thu May 07, 2009 12:18 am EDT

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    hahaha, he tried to slap his kufi off!! but seriously..look at his headband..it spins!
  18. Big Jay
    18. Posted by Big Jay Thu May 07, 2009 12:18 am EDT

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    Someone from And 1 can't take a little trash talk? Disgraceful. I await Sir Charles' comments....
  19. Ken M
    19. Posted by Ken M Thu May 07, 2009 12:19 am EDT

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    If he wants to hit like a woman, punish him like a woman. Make him do the dishes and cook dinner during the next game and not pay him for it. Playing physical is one thing, physical assault(even minor like this) shouldn't be tolerated. If a cup can cause a brawl, a slap could possibly break the universe!
  20. willy g
    20. Posted by willy g Thu May 07, 2009 12:21 am EDT

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    I remember a couple years back when rafer was with the Rockets during a reg season game against the spurs. Tim Duncan was out-hustling Alston for rebounds and loose balls all game long. After a while Alston got all ghetto and punched Duncan in the head right in front of Bavetta and they didn't do anything. OMG!!!! Dude has some serious anger management probs. Total Head case. He deserves what he gets. And I'm rooting for Orlando for christ's sake. Please huury up Jameer Nelson and come back cause skip-to-my-lou is making the magic look like thugs.
    9/11 was an inside job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  21. Butterfly
    21. Posted by Butterfly Thu May 07, 2009 12:24 am EDT

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    That was totally uncalled for...he oughta be fined and suspended.
    Sooner or later the NBA has got to lay down some kind of rules and then actually enforce them.
    As for the comment on Kevin Garnett....doing something like that to teammates is entirely different than striking a player on the other team!
  22. James V
    22. Posted by James V Thu May 07, 2009 12:32 am EDT

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    Hahaha puts eddie house in his place! GO MAGIC
  23. CRIS
    23. Posted by CRIS Thu May 07, 2009 12:35 am EDT

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    Eddie house just school him .....he's mad ...out 1 game ....let the nba understand play ball ......alston just needs to learn from house ....take note
  24. TheTruth
    24. Posted by TheTruth Thu May 07, 2009 12:37 am EDT

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    He's got to be out at least 1 game for that. Looks like we could be in for another long series.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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