[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Here is the flagrant foul by Miami Heat’s Dexter Pittman on Lance Stephenson during the closing seconds of Game 5 in Miami. This is probably revenge by the Heat and Pittman on Stephenson for Stephenson’s choke gesture at LeBron James in Game 3.

[DeShawns PotentialParticipant]

 Lance Stephenson is pretty damn tough, it knocked Pittman down but not him, wow.

[paint intruderParticipant]

Now that’s plain stupid…

[MalcolmxParticipant]

Yeah thats a pretty hard hit and to not land on your backside is crazy.

[kobyzParticipant]

Pittman has decide on himself death sentence right there!

[baggin13Participant]

That was totally out of hand, he should get a few games suspension. And Haslem should probably get one game too for his "play on the ball". I am a Haslem fan, but he should have been ejected.  Maybe I’m just rooting against MIAMI, which I am, but I would be suprised if nothing is done. 

[JoeWolf1]

It’s like the late 80’s all over again, lol.

But in all seriousness, the NBA has tried to reduce that kind of play over the years.  Not handing out punishment to Pittman, Haslem and Hansbrough would be encouraging this kind of behavior.  I wouldn’t be surprised if guys start getting tossed and suspended if this kind of stuff keeps up in game 6. 

[TyroberParticipant]

 The camera catching him winking when he was at the free throw line certainly doesn’t help his cause. I can easily see a 2 game suspension

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Was clearly intentional, meant as payback. Dangerous and uncalled for, as well. He is Lance Stephenson, a guy who plays at the end of games in a 30 point blowout. Why do this to anyone, much less this kid who already apologized for his own immature gesture?

Stupid play by Pittman, don’t think this proves much other than maybe showing the Heat are not necessarily trying to be the bigger people in these minor disputes. Haslem’s foul on Psycho T was bad enough, this was even worse. Sure, Pittman barely plays, but I do not see why retaliation like this was needed.

Lance did something stupid in Game 2, but I think Dexter Pittman ends up looking like the biggest idiot here. Lance took it well, I believe he had already learned his lesson and done his due diligence. A fore arm to the neck is never warranted, would be surprised if Pittman was not suspended for a while. Udonis Haslem could easily be suspended as well, do not think either of these were beneficial to the Heat. If Granger’s T’s were stupid, these flagrant fouls were even more so.

[JrbenzCuse23]

Joe, question. Why do you think Hansborough should be suspended? When I saw the play I thought it was bogus that he even got a flagrant. It was an 85% clean block he should be suspended for his hand slipping off the ball at the end? The 2 Miami fouls are not even in the same league in my opinion.

[CynthiaParticipant]

I agree with Mikey, this really makes Pittman look the most stupid. At the time he probably assumed he’d get some sort of respect out of it, but that isn’t the case at all. What lance did was immature, what Pittman did was very dangerous not only to Lance but himself, because Pittman took quite the fall in the process as well.

I didn’t get to catch the game yesterday, but seeing stuff like this just disgusts me, I love a little bicker back and forth, and some heated moments, but not flagrant fouls like this. Uncalled for and unnecessary.

[JoeWolf1]

I don’t think he or Haslem should be suspended their fouls for game 5, just fined.  Pittman should, I was more stating on going forward in the series.  And for a matter of consistancy, even though Haslem’s was obviously retaliatory and Hanbrough was just making a very hard play on the ball, if they’re going to fine for game 5 then I think they have to fine Hansbrough and Haslem.  

I think Haslem’s should have been a flagrant 2, but since it was a flagrant 1 and Hansbrough’s was too then they should get the same punishment.

[joecheck88Participant]

 Pittman should be suspended for the rest of the year. He searched him out, elbowed him at the head and neck area while he was at full speed and then winked at someone. Get that clown out of here. He could have really hurt Stevenson. As dumb as Stevenson has been, he didn’t deserve a kill shot. 

[JoeWolf1]

^No kidding, there was no play on the ball.  He went in with the goal to head hunt and that’s not a part of the game.  That was worse than MWP, at least he and Harden were tangled up.  Pittman went out of his way to elbow a player without the ball in the neck.

[delfamParticipant]

 ^ exactly, that play was worse than the MWP play and it’s not even close, Pittman should get a minimum of 10 games.

For the Haslem play all i have to say is "who blocks a shot with two hands?" He should get atleast 3 games minimum in my opinion.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

I agree with the overall sentiment that Hansborough’s was the least of the three flagrants last night, but how in the world are none of them flagrant 2’s?  If Pittman’s is not a flagrant 2 than there should not be one in the rule book.

[slash787Participant]

 I love it.  Nothing like 2 scrubs beating the crap out of eachother.  They won’t contribute the outcome of a game but they will contribute to headlines.  It’s about time we see some real action.  It reminds me of the Heat/Knicks of the 90’s.  Just wait until they play the Celtics.  KG will be right in the middle of everything.  Can’t wait.

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

yeah pittman is an idiot…. bet he wouldnt do that to KG and KG is like a fake tough guy….. bet he wouldnt even do it to charlie v…. he shood be suspended for at least 3 games…. i saw this tweet, it said if david stern really wants to punish miami he should force them to start pittman for every game…… it gave me quite the giggles… 

but what im shocked at is stephenson didnt even fall but pittmans fat tubby ass did…. lmaoooo

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

yeah pittman is an idiot…. bet he wouldnt do that to KG and KG is like a fake tough guy….. bet he wouldnt even do it to charlie v…. he shood be suspended for at least 3 games…. i saw this tweet, it said if david stern really wants to punish miami he should force them to start pittman for every game…… it gave me quite the giggles… 

but what im shocked at is stephenson didnt even fall but pittmans fat tubby ass did…. lmaoooo

[Bill Walton’s KneesParticipant]

This also comes after the MWP/Harden incident.  If you think the NBA won’t come down hard, you’re sorely mistaken.

 

[joecheck88Participant]

 My take on all the fouls. Hansbrough’s shouldn’t have been a flagrant. Hard playoff foul. Haslem’s was flagrant and retaliatory and should have been a flagrant 1. He mind of made a play for the ball but more importantly I think what he did is important for the game. You hit my guy hard, you are going to get hit hard. I’m fine with that. It wasn’t as if he tried to seriously hurt him. He just sent the message back. Cool. Fine him too if you would like. Pittman was so blatantly dangerous and there is no part about that I respect. It was almost a sucker punch. Dumb. I say suspend him for the rest of the playoffs. It may not matter but you have to send that message to everyone. 

[M-DYMESParticipant]

100% in line with Joecheck right now.  My thoughts exactly on all of those fouls.  The fact that Pittman didn’t get a flagrant 2 is absolutely disgusting.  If Goodell was the commish, he would have created a whole nother tier called flagrant 3, the Pittman rule.

[joecheck88Participant]

 I don’t know if you guys remember the USC running back a few years ago that was bench pressing and something happened and the bar fell on his neck. He almost died and he will never speak the same again. That could have been Stevenson. 

[Krypt GussParticipant]

…or am I the only who thinks these hits were premeditated.

I’m pretty Lebron and D-Wade asked them (Haslem & Pittman) to do so, since they can’t afford to be suspended.

Bunch of little punks…

[Bill Walton’s KneesParticipant]

 joecheck-  your thinking of Stefon Johnson.  Signed as an undrafted free agent to the Titans but never saw the field.

[417basketballfanParticipant]

 haslem and pittman should’ve both got flagrant 2s. they were both not going for the ball and it was intentional. I’m pretty sure thats what the rule states. Hansborough actually hit the ball and then on his follow thru he hit wade in the face. So at the most he gets a flagrant 1

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I can’t believe my eyes everytime I watch that Pittman play. I mean, seriously? He could’ve seriously injured Stephenson. I mean, not only the shoulder/neck, but his knee. Looking at how Stephenson came down on his leg just makes me shiver. The league is going to come down hard on this guy.

I think Haslem should be suspended for one game. Here’s why… He never made a play on the ball and what he did, you could see he’d thought about it before hand. It was clear he wanted to retaliate, not only for D. Wade, but for the incidental hit to his eye. You can’t play like that. It sends the wrong message… The refs let Haslem get away with it and look what followed with Pittman.

Just a very disappointing game last night to see that. It’s one thing to give hard fouls… Another to play dirty like that and put somebody’s career in jeopardy. And to hear the Heat players, etc talk about it after the game like it was okay was even more disappointing.

[delfamParticipant]

 anyone who doesn’t think Haslem should be suspended is an idiot. Nobody blocks a shot with two hands. He used both arms and vilently came down at Hansbrough’s head. It was obviously not a basketball play and there is no room for that sh1t in basketball. If i was commish he’d get 5 games.

[cabbycabParticipant]

I love Frank Vogel’s reaction, or non-reaction in this case.  Like he expected it to happen at some point. 

Props to Stephenson for calmly knocking down the FT though. 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Pittman better get his shots in now because he’s proven he can’t play with this team and most likely won’t be there next year

[Da1potParticipant]

 I guarantee 100% that Lebron told Pittman to rough up Stephenson

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

Last night Larry Bird called out the team and called them soft. I say put "Born Ready" Lance Stephenson in the game, after being clotheslined, he’s obviously tough enough. 

[ChriJollParticipant]

I honestly cannot believe that some people think Lebron actually asked Pittman to hit Stephenson.
Anyone who paid attention to last year realized how much Lebron hated the villian role.  There is no way he would have even tried to get himself put back in that situation.  Pittman is still really immature and it’s increadibly obvious by that hit.  Anybody who would take that hard of a shot at someone’s neck doesn’t deserve to call himself a basketball.  Especially considering he’s not even good enough to see the court in meaningful minutes.

[ChriJollParticipant]

I honestly cannot believe that some people think Lebron actually asked Pittman to hit Stephenson.
Anyone who paid attention to last year realized how much Lebron hated the villian role.  There is no way he would have even tried to get himself put back in that situation.  Pittman is still really immature and it’s increadibly obvious by that hit.  Anybody who would take that hard of a shot at someone’s neck doesn’t deserve to call himself a basketball.  Especially considering he’s not even good enough to see the court in meaningful minutes.

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

5 games for Haselm? Please stop it. That’s absurd for a hard playoff foul (May I remind you Kevin Love intentionally stomped on someone and only got 2 games) It should’ve been called a flagrant 2 at the moment, but & he should’ve got an ejection it wasn’t. The league office will review it and upgrade it but he should et no more than one or 2 games suspension.. hansbrough should get nothing more than the flagrant 1 he was given.
Pittman on the other hand, it was more malicious than the MWP hit so I’m thinking 10 games easy for him. & I don’t think LeBron sent him to do that, but Juwan Howard probably did. I think that’s who he was winking at after the play as both of them were on the court when it happened.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@j_smoove1

I agree with you 110%.

—

I’m through talking about flagrants, etc though. The league will do what it needs to.

The real facts are that The Pacers were humiliated and beat up last game… Their boss has called them soft and challenged them.

IF this team is who I think they are, they’re going to come out pissed next game and win the battle on the boards and low post. I’m expecting this team to get back to what actually has won them games.

Regardless, I think this is great experience for a young team.

[thparadoxParticipant]

 

Hansborough foul – flagrant 1 – no suspension (he used excessive force, but went for the ball. borderline call)

Haslem foul – flagrant 1 – no suspension (this should have been a flag 2 normally, but I think the right call was made in this context. It was clearly retaliatory for roughing up Wade. At this point things should have been pretty even)

Pittman flying elbow – clearly was a flagrant 2…. I say suspend him for min. 5 games, but rest of the playoffs would be appropriate too. 

That last play should really have started a fight. Perhaps that’s what Bird is referring to. You can’t let someone hit your teammate like that. You HAVE to get into the opposing players face.. and probably shove them at a minimum. The pacers on the floor just watched it…

[Jlv2012]

his blow to the head then a low level player like Pittman should get at least the same.  You could make the case that Artest’s hit was in the heat of the moment but Pittman’s hit looked anticipated and just as dangerous.  If Stephenson would have fallen down and stayed there for a minute, it would probably have been a flagrant 2.  The fact that Stephenson was still standing played a factor last night.  However, the wink that was caught on tape may push Pittman into 10+ games or more.

[delfamParticipant]

 How do you guys seriously think Haslem should not get a suspension? HE USED TWO HANDS!!!! That is not a basketball play and was meant to hurt Hansbrough. There is no room for that kind of play in the NBA. Minimum 3 games and I’d give him 5. It’s a privilege to play in the NBA and to go out and intentional hurt someone is just ludicrous.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Hansbrough got destroyed, yet still popped right back up.

Stephenson got destroyed and didn’t even fall down.

The Pacers took their best shot and are still standing… Now let’s get it game six.

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