NBA correct to boot Bucks star for game
Dear Adam Silver,
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a scourge on the NBA. Thank you for suspending him for Thursday's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies. And only for Thursday's game.
If his antics had gone unpunished, if that head-butt he inflicted on Washington Wizards forward Moe Wagner (and Wagner sold like a pro wrestler) went without justice, what would I have told my 1-year-old son when he's old enough to understand the rules of basketball?
This was a dastardly deed unbecoming of a player who could soon repeat as the league's MVP. He needed to sit on the bench and watch as the Grizzlies attempt to salvage their NBA bubble experience and squeak into the play-in game that seemed a near certainty for Memphis just a couple of weeks ago.
And maybe Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer can do a solid for his former protege, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, and force Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez and the rest of the Bucks' usual starting lineup to sit with their star and help him learn a valuable lesson.
If Zach Randolph got suspended for Game 7 of a playoff series in 2014 for a love tap to Steven Adams' jaw, surely Antetokounmpo slamming his forehead into Wagner like he's a soccer ball had to merit similar discipline.
Don't think Grizzlies fans had forgotten that, Mr. Silver.
Besides, violence is not the answer. Only violent dunks. The kind Ja Morant does. The kind Memphis deserves to see at least a few more times.
I know most NBA fans entered this NBA restart hoping to see Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans make the playoffs and face Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. And you set up the format to make that a possibility.
And I realize today, after seven games in Orlando, most NBA fans would prefer to see Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoffs because Lillard looks like the best player in the NBA at the moment and they probably would produce the most entertaining and competitive first-round series against the Lakers.
But Morant has been pretty darn good, too, and Memphis wouldn't mind getting a few extra glimpses of the NBA'S Rookie of the Year (If it goes to Zion, you'll be receiving another letter shortly). Plus, his team has caught absolutely no breaks.
The Utah Jazz didn't sit any starters against the Grizzlies and then seemingly benched all of them the next game. The Raptors did the same, and the Celtics are about to join them. Meanwhile, Portland and San Antonio and Phoenix all have benefited from opposing teams sitting starters.
And then there's the injuries. Three meaningful Grizzlies have gone down.
I understand how this must sound. Even considering all that, Memphis hasn't played well. The supporting cast around Morant has been inconsistent at best, and woeful at times. Given the format to qualify for the play-in game, the
Grizzlies probably don't deserve a chance to make the playoffs if they can't win two times over eight games.
But college football might not happen. The Big Ten and Pac-12 aren't playing this fall. Perhaps you missed the news while watching a slew of entertaining games inside the sort of bubble universities should think about embracing if they want to go forward with sports this year.
So Memphis needs more Grizzlies games, now more than ever. Even if it's just for another weekend.
This isn't about the Grizzlies, though. This isn't about a morsel of redemption after how poorly Memphis has played in Orlando. This isn't even about more games with Pete Pranica and Brevin
Knight and Rob Fischer on the call (although you should hear them; they call a great game).
This is about Giannis Antetokounmpo's despicable head-butt of Mo Wagner on Tuesday night.
This is about holding our role models accountable. This is about a suspension he deserved, but only if it's a one-game suspension.
Thank you for doing the right thing, Mr. Silver. The sanctity of the NBA was hanging in the balance.
Sincerely,
James Harden
You can reach Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto via email at mgiannotto@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter: @mgiannotto