Thunder�s Serge Ibaka commits flagrant low blow on Clippers� Blake Griffin

[alh1020]

Thunder forward Serge Ibaka was assessed a flagrant foul for a low blow shot on Clippers forward Blake Griffin during the fourth quarter of a 108-104 Oklahoma City victory at the Staples Center on Sunday.

An intense, physical game came to a head when Ibaka and Griffin battled for rebounding position following a Matt Barnes three-point attempt. Ibaka grabbed Griffin�s right arm and then chopped down toward Griffin�s midsection, making clear contact with Griffin�s personal area. Griffin went to the floor stunned and doubled over in pain.



Link to the rest of the story: Thunder�s Serge Ibaka commits flagrant low blow on Clippers� Blake

[alh1020]

What the hell was that? I would love to be a fly on the wall in the Commissioner's office when they discuss this incident. Old Serge might be watching his next few games from afar.

[MRJONESIII]

Automatic 1 game suspension. That was intent to hurt, unless Serge is Bi?

[td4mvp2k]

[mckennaspur1]

Blake and Serge had been tussling from the beginning of he game. The refs let 'em play, and then it boiled over.

[Kager]

Blake was grabbing Serge's arm so Serge chopped down, I don't think he was trying to chop nuts.

Sure get a flagrant because thats not the way to deal with it but there is no deeper motive.

[MRJONESIII]

Originally Posted by Kager

Blake was grabbing Serge's arm so Serge chopped down, I don't think he was trying to chop nuts.

Sure get a flagrant because thats not the way to deal with it but there is no deeper motive.

So what was he chopping down at, his thigh, knee? The ball was still in flight from the shot. Those are the wrong b@lls to rebound. Clearly malicious. He aimed and fired... Just wrong. Luckily it didn't start a fight, because it was sure warranted. Low blows are totally uncool unless it's your life your fighting for.

[Kager]

He did swing but I don't think he was aiming at any ball just trying to break Blakes grip on his arm, it was flagrant and a stupid dangerous way to do it..... but I still don't think it was aimed at little Blake.

[theinswes]

Ibaka should tell Stu Jackson that this is just the Spanish team's equivalent of a butt slap -- a lost in translation type thing:

Shaqtin' A Fool: Playoffs 2012 (Part 2) - YouTube

[spurduncan21]

No suspension which IMO is complete BS. If was artest or SJAX, automatic 1 game suspension AT LEAST

[claco34]

That play warrants a suspension. You can see in the video that Ibaka takes his eyes of the ball and aims for blakes nether regions. Ibaka picks his arm up and blake no longer has a hold of his arm and Ibaka swings through. Looking at the video I don't see how they didn't at least throw him out of the game.

[alh1020]

Ibaka fined $25,000 for hit on Griffin

NEW YORK (AP) -- Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for striking Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers in the groin area during Sunday's game.

NBA executive vice president for basketball operations Stu Jackson announced the fine Tuesday. The league also upgraded the flagrant foul 1 Ibaka's was given for hitting Griffin as the two battled for position in the paint to a Flagrant Foul 2, meaning Ibaka should have been ejected from the game.

The incident occurred with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's 108-104 win over the Clippers at Staples Center.

Link: Y! SPORTS

[dark21horse]

I would have called an offensive foul on Blake's beans and frank.

[b1gdon]

Originally Posted by spurduncan21

No suspension which IMO is complete BS. If was artest or SJAX, automatic 1 game suspension AT LEAST

That is because it is Artest and SJax. History counts and Ibaka has been clean up to this point.

Keep in mind 2 things. First, the refs got to look at this on replay during the game and didn't think it was worthy of an ejection. Second, Blake Griffin is a serial flopper. That didn't look like a direct hit, and I'd put it at about 50/50 that Griffin put in a little extra FIFA style acting in is rolling about...and believe me, I've got my man card, so I know it doesn't take much.

[WhiteChocolateJr]

...the rest of the league is now officially on notice.