Stu Jackson suggests Bryant is fortunate his elbow didn’t land higher

May 7th, 2009, 4:16 pm · 9 Comments · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson just said on a conference call with reporters that the key element in not suspending Kobe Bryant for his elbow to Ron Artest was that it landed “in the chest area.”

“Certainly, it’s clear in our rules that we treat elbow contact above the shoulder area differently than we do other parts of the body,” Jackson said, although he didn’t specifically say Bryant would’ve been suspended if the contact had been higher.

“In this case, had he (Bryant) made contact in his head area, certainly we’d be evaluating it on a different level,” Jackson said.

Jackson also said: “We did talk to both players (Bryant and Artest), and the focus here was really to try and determine what the relationship was between the two players during the game and what precipitated the incident — and certainly as importantly, where the contact was actually made in their minds. Ultimately, we made the decision at the league-office level, that this is a flagrant-foul, penalty-one.”

Bryant now has one point — and Derek Fisher two points — toward the four-point flagrant-foul limit in the postseason before incurring a one-game suspension.

Bryant was previously suspended for elbows to Mike Miller’s throat and Manu Ginobili’s and Marko Jaric’s faces.

Regarding Artest’s ejection for crossing the court to confront Bryant about what Jackson now deems “unnecessary contact” by Bryant, Jackson said: “In my mind, the referee made the correct judgment.”

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Charles says:

May 7, 2009 at 5:24 pm

As a team leader Fisher needs to be smarter than violently knocking down an opposing player. By not being on the floor he lessened the Lakers chances of winning. Fortunately, they won the game. If they lose on Friday without Fisher’s steady hand, was the enforcing blow worth it?

David says:

May 7, 2009 at 5:55 pm

We’ve beating Houston without Bynum one game, Odom another, I think we can beat these Houston clowns without Fisher. Lakers!

Bynum stinks says:

May 7, 2009 at 6:24 pm

They will beat them again without Bynum. The bum isn’t showing up this series. Is it his knee, is it mental or is he just worthless and overrated.

Showtime says:

May 7, 2009 at 7:52 pm

As expected Stu Jackson gives Kobe a slap on the wrist.

http://www.dailysportspages.com/forums/register.php?referrerid=811

Lake Show Baby says:

May 7, 2009 at 11:12 pm

Ron Artest needs to stop barking at KOBE and go bark at that barber that F’d up his hair!

Gordonn Blue says:

May 7, 2009 at 11:39 pm

Laker apologists will never admit that their hero is a cheap-shot artist that gets way too much leeway from refs, reporters and those wacko’s with the flags on their cars.

IF they get past Houston, which is a pick-’em, they have the buzz saw that is Denver to contend with.

Fisher was tired of seeing young Rocket guards swoosh past him on their unobstructed way to the rim. His was an “old man foul” that screams out his best days are behind him.

IlsanLakeShow says:

May 8, 2009 at 5:16 am

If Kobe was a cheap-shot artist, I don’t think the elite players in the league would hold him to such a high esteem. The Olympic team all had nothing but praise and respect for Kobe during their time in China. Would you respect somebody who was a cheap-artist? The answer is no.

In regards to Fisher, sure he is getting slow, but I didn’t see the ‘young Rocket guards swoosh pas him” in the last game. Yes, they owned him in the first game, but that’s why coaches make adjustments. Fisher will earn his 4th championship this year.

That said, I cannot be objective about the Lakers, so yeah.

deezy76 says:

May 8, 2009 at 7:45 am

Hey Kevin, I have a question. I know this is a little off topic, but I was just thinking about the whole situation from the other night and it made me wonder…what ever came of the league investigation into Utah including the Ariza flagrant foul in their Game 3 pre-game video montage? Were they ever punished, or is it just a dead issue now? I’m hoping Houston doesn’t do the same tonight.

Enigma says:

May 8, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Artest should’ve kicked Kobe’s butt for being cocky and arrogant. I am a Lakers fan but to see dirty plays from the Lakers is upsetting.

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