Brawls suspensions announced
The NBA announced the list of fines and suspensions for the organizations and players involved in the Saturday night brawl. Both the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets were fined $500,000 were fined for the players’ actions. Led by Carmelo Anthony, the list of suspensions is as follows:
- Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (15 games)
- Nuggets guard J.R. Smith (10 games)
- Nuggets forward Nene (one game for leaving the bench)
- Knicks guard Nate Robinson (10 games)
- Knicks guard Mardy Collins (six games)
- Knicks forward Jared Jeffries (four games)
- Knicks center Jerome James (one game for leaving the bench)
A punishment could also be coming for Isiah Thomas, who seems doomed to lose his job with the team. The NBA is investigating Thomas’ involvement in the brawl, which includes a threat to Anthony which led to the fight.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the suspensions? The Utah Jazz. The Jazz will have a chance to extend their lead on the division title before Anthony and Smith return. The Jazz also play the Knicks in the first game after the suspensions, meaning the Knicks will be down two players on the active roster.
Allen Iverson finished his career with the Philadelphia Sixers over ten days ago, but the team is still looking for a trade. By announcing that Iverson would no longer play for the team, the Sixers severely dropped his trade value.
The two teams most probably to acquire Iverson are the Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. One player the Nuggets may try to trade is Earl Boykins, while the Timberwolves are deciding whether or not to trade rookie Randy Foye.
Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas combined for 105 points, the highest total between two opposing players since the history 81-point night (when Mike James scored 26).