04/18/24
March 23, 2012
Jason Smith Clobbers Blake Griffin: The New Orleans Hornets' Jason Smith was ejected for a brutal hip check on the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin Thursday night during a breakaway. Smith hit Griffin so hard the NFL should investigate the Hornets for a bounty program, then egged on the crowd as New Orleans fans gave him a standing ovation on his way to the locker room. The Hornets went on to win 97-90.
posted by rcade to basketball at 10:15 AM - 17 comments
Good to see Sean Payton's influence.
posted by yerfatma at 10:31 AM on March 23, 2012
Even though it was an away game and there were fans were all around, if I were one of the Clippers that followed Smith off the floor after the play, I would have pounded the living crap out of the punk.
(Commenting in the heat of the moment, I don't condone violence in sports, but I also grew up on watching guys like Maurice Lucas and Dave Cowens handle their business as they saw fit if the need arose).
posted by beaverboard at 10:31 AM on March 23, 2012
He must have been celebrating Hines Ward's retirement ... cheap shot then run and hide.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:40 AM on March 23, 2012
I don't remember Bill Laimbeer being able to run the floor like that.
posted by tahoemoj at 11:46 AM on March 23, 2012
He must have been celebrating Hines Ward's retirement ... cheap shot then run and hide.
That's not a very effective burn as a comment on the internet.
posted by tron7 at 11:49 AM on March 23, 2012
Smith sure went a long way. He should've pulled a Bo Jackson and run right off into the tunnel.
posted by rcade at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2012
Smith sure went a long way. He should've pulled a Bo Jackson and run right off into the tunnel.
Don't you mean Forrest Gump?
posted by NerfballPro at 12:16 PM on March 23, 2012
Frankly, I think David Stern should begin an inquiry that reaches all the way up to the ownership of the franchise.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:09 PM on March 23, 2012
I don't watch a lot of NBA basketball, but the little I've seen of Blake Griffin has featured him throwing high elbow after high elbow, and rarely being called for it. I feel that this might be a case of "what goes around comes around". I don't advocate intentionally trying to injure another player, but things have to go both ways. NBA officiating tends to overlook the transgressions of the headliners.
...but I also grew up on watching guys like Maurice Lucas and Dave Cowens handle their business as they saw fit if the need arose
"Now THAT'S a foul". Dave Cowens to referee Bill Jones, February 26, 1976. Cowens' defense of his actions applies here, even though he was referring to flopping. If unfair tactics employed by a few are allowed, then the overall quality of play will deteriorate.
posted by Howard_T at 02:35 PM on March 23, 2012
I love the look in Smith's eyes at about 1:40--for all his bravado, his face betrays his realization that, "Crap, I'm nobody, and I just decked one of the league's marquee players. Lots of people hate me now."
posted by Uncle Toby at 03:06 PM on March 23, 2012
I don't watch a lot of NBA basketball, but the little I've seen of Blake Griffin has featured him throwing high elbow after high elbow, and rarely being called for it. I feel that this might be a case of "what goes around comes around". I don't advocate intentionally trying to injure another player, but things have to go both ways. NBA officiating tends to overlook the transgressions of the headliners. ...but I also grew up on watching guys like Maurice Lucas and Dave Cowens handle their business as they saw fit if the need arose "Now THAT'S a foul". Dave Cowens to referee Bill Jones, February 26, 1976. Cowens' defense of his actions applies here, even though he was referring to flopping. If unfair tactics employed by a few are allowed, then the overall quality of play will deteriorate.
posted by Howard_T at 02:35 PM on March 23
You would be the type that were clapping! How do you figure it has to go both ways? It shouldn't be allowed, period! Everyone throws elbows in this sport, no one does hip checks! Get a clue, please.
posted by Pzyborg at 03:45 PM on March 23, 2012
Please don't do this. Also, Howard's post was worth it for the Cowens story alone. Though not so worth it you needed to replicate it in toto.
posted by yerfatma at 05:57 PM on March 23, 2012
It shouldn't be allowed, period!
Pzyborg, please read my comment in its entirety, parse it carefully, and you might see that I am saying exactly that. Any dangerous play, hip checks or high elbows, needs to be called, no matter who the offender.
Though not so worth it you needed to replicate it in toto.
Aw c'mon, Fatty, I thought it was pretty good.
posted by Howard_T at 09:00 PM on March 23, 2012
Welcome to SportsFilter, Pzyborg.
I love Howard's Cowens story. It makes me want to play basketball so I can say that after committing an egregious foul.
posted by rcade at 09:05 PM on March 23, 2012
Why does something so blatant require so much replay and discussion? The ref was right there.
posted by BoKnows at 01:09 AM on March 24, 2012
Maybe they were wondering how in the name of god somebody *cough*rcade*cough* could mistake that open-field bulldozer move for a hip check, which is an elegant work of timing and skill. Whaddya from the South?
posted by tahoemoj at 01:58 AM on March 24, 2012
Smith may have helped hose the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers.