Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? In tonight's Pistons v. Timberwolves game, Detroit PF Antonio McDyess got a little rough with Minnesota PF Mark Madsen after a play and Minnesota PF Kevin Garnett took exception. McDyess got in trouble for throwing an elbow at Madsen. KG and McDyess were both ejected after starting a little fracas of their own. Essentially, KG pushed McDyess. McDyess came back at him and KG threw the ball at him.
The refs overreacted. The Timberwolves lost their best player for sticking up for his teammate. No punches were exchanged and the entire situation was created by McDyess. McDyess threw the elbow. If you are going to do that, you should expect to get pushed. He reacted to KG pushing him by coming back at Garnett. Garnett was exercising Madsen's retaliation for him. That should be fine. The officials should punish the first guy and leave it at that unless the situation gets out of control.
By overreacting, the officials removed a reserve from the Pistons (albeit a solid reserve who could start for them) and an all-star from the T-wolves. Without KG, Minnesota would be headed for the Kevin Durant/Greg Oden sweepstakes. Instead, they're battling for a playoff berth. Minnesota made a valiant effort without their star, but everything was made significantly more difficult. They lost their best interior defender and rebounder. Plus, they lost their best offensive player and a guy who helps create shots for other people. It ended up going to double OT and the talent difference was just too great after KG was sent off.
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