Reducing Suspensions

By now, you've all heard about the arbitrator's decision to end the suspension of Indiana Pacer Jermaine O'Neal. The arbitrator upheld David Stern's suspensions of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson, but felt O'Neal's should be shortened. The NBA plans to take the matter to federal court as they don't want Stern's power usurped by an outside authority.

What has caught me by surprise is how many media folks are agreeing with the arbitrator's decision. Most of those applauding the decision suggest O'Neal's behavior was less abhorrent than that of Artest and Jackson, both of whom entered the stands. Apparently, and unbelievably, few of them watched the entire video.

Did I miss something? Wasn't the one Palace of Auburn Hills employee injured when O'Neal tossed him over the scorer's table? Wasn't that security guard attempting to keep O'Neal on the floor? That employee, last I heard, was still unable to return to work.

Apparently, had O'Neal gotten on the other side of the scorer's table and tossed the employee over it, that would have been bad. However, since O'Neal was still on the floor, tossing a security guard doesn't count.

Using the reasoning that O'Neal never entered the stands or didn't do anything other than punch the one fan on the floor is flawed. It neglects the fact O'Neal tried to participate off the court, but was stopped albeit temporarily. O'Neal clocked a fan on the floor (yeah, the guy was asking for it) and injured a security guard. In my book, he did more damage than Artest did.

I'm also troubled by those lamenting Commissioner Stern's attempt to negate the arbitrator's ruling. Some of the pundits are whining about Stern's ego. They claim he is power hungry, unable to admit to something wrong, granted too much authority, blah, blah, blah.... Of course, he is.

The question is: What do you want? A commissioner that has complete control over every aspect of the league or one that has to wait to make a decision pending approval? One that makes a decision, but has it rescinded? I'm all in favor of due process, but sports need to be able to police themselves. That's what we have commissioners for in the first place. (See Kenesaw Landis.)

If you want a tribunal or other outside force to govern sports, just be prepared for more cases like Steve Howe. Because that's exactly what you are going to get.

Update: A federal judge has upheld the arbitrator's decision regarding Jermaine O'Neal's reduced suspension. O'Neal can play Christmas Day against the Pistons.