WNBA suspensions......SUPRISED by the number of games?

Question

The WNBA has suspended 10 players from the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks for the brawl that took place on Tuesday in Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

SUSPENSIONS:

Shock:

Plenette Pierson- 4 games

Rick Mahorn (Asst. Coach)- 2 games

Kara Braxton, Tasha Humphrey, Elaine Powell and Sheri Sam- 1 game

Sparks:

Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, and DeLisha Milton-Jones- 1 game

Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page- 2 games

I do applaud what th WNBA did.

HOWEVER, why was Candace Parker only suspended for only ONE game? She punched Pierson when she threw her to the ground! She should have got the same consequence as Pierson! ALSO, why was Lisa Leslie suspended? What did she do? She was trying to break up the fight! She was accurate in her interview with ESPN in which she said that she did not swing at anyone and that she was just trying to break it up and help Candace offf the floor.

Also, I think Deanna Nolan should have been suspended for a game for going onto Parker.

Answer 1

The suspensions are fair. This all started on the prior play when Cheryl Ford tried to take a rebound from Candace Parker. If the refs would have given them both technical fouls, the fight would have never happened.

Plenette Pierson gave Candace Parker a hip check during the box out for a potential rebound (on a free throw).

Candace did throw Plenette down unnecessary when they became entangled. However, Plenette had no business getting up and walking towards Candace. Candace was still on the floor when she approached. Would you have done if someone was standing over you angrily? That's right, bring her down to your level and defend yourself.

Plus, WNBA players are after Candace because of the media hype. She needed to make a statement that she would defend herself and players should think twice before stepping to her like that in the future.

I was at the Sparks / Shock game a few weeks ago. Candace received a bloody nose when she went up for a rebound. No foul as called but LA won the game. I am sure she remember that Tuesday.

I think she should have gotten suspended for at least two games but Plenette started it with the hip check. The Shock players were likely pissed to lose their second straight home game and have LA sweep the season series.

I think they were easy on Plenette. She went nuts causing or at least contributing to injury her own teammate. Two or three people had to restrain her. They should have order she attend anger management class. Her behavior after the fact was uncalled for and unnecessary.

But, league definitely goofed by giving Candace only one game suspension. I am fine with the other suspensions, especially with them not punishing Deanna Nolan. She dived on Candace but was trying to stop the fight.

Perhaps the league went easy on Candace because they are pimping her to get more fans to attend the game. I guess it win for the league and Candace. There were 13k at the Detroit game. The average game attendance is about 8k.

The crime is that the refs were not penalized. They did a horrible job with calling the game.

Answer 2

I don't care what Leslie said, she did throw a punch at Mahorn when she first walked up to him.  I do find it rather funny that none of the stations are showing the replay from Detroit's basket where you can clearly see her do it.

I agree with the players' suspsensions but not with Mahorn's.

Answer 3

Candace Parker only got suspended for the punch she threw because when Pierson walked up on her Parker threw her down out of self defense because she didn't know if Pierson was gonna attack her or not. Lisa was suspended supposedly for throwing a punch i didn't necessarily see either. I think Parker has the appropriate suspension. I think Deanna Nolan should have a one game suspension for being physical but people think she was being a peacemaker breaking up the fight. And if you really don't care Mr.(whoever answered first) don't answer because you are wasting our time and no one wants to hear your negativity.

Answer 4

Ummm...Who cares?

It is the WNBA you're talking about, oh well I guess it dont blame you...It's the dog days of summer I suppose

Answer 5

I believe the punch she threw got Candace the one game suspension, otherwise, she doesn't get suspended.  Although, it probably should have been 2 games.  Pierson's suspension is valid because she threw Candace to the floor and then went after her violently.  I agree with you about Nolan, whey she wasn't suspended at all is the only thing that surprises me.

Its good that the punishment was shift and justified.  Unlike other leagues where the stars get special treatment, the stars in the WNBA all got treated equally.

Answer 6

I'm surprised Mahorn wasn't banned for life! He sure deserved it.

Answer 7

yea the refs should of handled that game so much better. they were just letting the game get way too physical and not calling any fouls. they let the emotions and physicallity escalate. howeverr i dont think they handed out the suspensions evenly. i dont understand why plenette pierson got 4 suspensions and candace parker got one. its a basketball game! its suppose to be a little physical game! come on you cant get overwhelmed because of hip check. please. and im glad deanna nolan didnt get suspended. she didnt do anything wrong except for trying to play peacemaker.