Rules are Rules, and now Patrick Knows it, too

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

May 1997

The New York Knicks became the sixth team in NBA league history to lose a 7 game series after leading 3 games to one. However, just about every member of the team, organization, and most likely, most of the Knicks' fans feel they were robbed. Why?

During game 5, New York's Charlie Ward and Miami's P.J. Brown got involved in a skirmish under the basket near the Knicks' bench. No punches were thrown; however, Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Larry Johnson came off the bench to be, as the entire organization called it: "peacemakers". However, league rules clearly state: "any player who leaves the vicinity of the bench during an altercation will be suspended for one game and subject to a fine of up to $20,000". There is no gray area in this rule.

As a result, Ewing, Houston, and Johnson were suspended along with teammates John Starks and Charlie Ward. League rules state a team may not suit up less than 9 players for a playoff game; consequently, in order to compensate, players are suspended alphabetically. Therefore, Ewing and Houston were suspended for game 6 along with Ward since Charlie was one of the main participants. Starks and Johnson were suspended for game 7. P. J. Brown was suspended for games 6 and 7 because of his actions in the incident.

Unfortunately, the Knicks don't think the suspensions were fair or justified. "...And if he's going to suspend me or my teammates, do it next season. Don't do it in the playoffs. We worked so hard to get to this point and now you're going take it away?...", said Patrick Ewing. talking about NBA Commissioner David Stern. Ewing's teammate, John Starks, agreed with him saying the league's suspension should have been implemented in the regular season, not the playoffs. Pat, John, this isn't baseball. The NBA not only has a commissioner but someone who is willing to enforce the rules. What if someone gave either of you a cheap shot? Would you want them suspended in the regular season?

Of course not, Pat left the bench. It doesn't matter, as you now know, how far you wandered from the bench. You knew the rule and now you have felt the consequences. You and your Knicks' teammates have once again failed to win a championship. And I am sure you will say as you have said everytime after being defeated by the Chicago Bulls: "I still feel we are the better team." Well, you and your "better team" must wait another year for your quest to win a championship. At least you will be a free agent this summer and will undoubtedly collect roughly $15 million per season from your beloved Knicks. That's not bad, for someone who feels he was "robbed".