K-Mart Ejection Justified

by Steve Weinman on Nov 14, 2008 1:49 AM EST in NBA Articles

After three wins with their new point guard, the Denver Nuggets took their first loss during the second tenure of Chauncey Billups last night. They also saw their starting power forward make his exit just a bit early, courtesy of an ejection late in the fourth quarter.

With less than a minute left and the Cavs leading by nine points, Anderson Varejao attempted to set a screen on Kenyon Martin. Martin responded by burying his left elbow in Varejao's face, and he was immediately assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected by referee Joey Crawford.

No complaints here about the officiating.

Crawford is no angel (just ask Tim Duncan), and he has a long-standing reputation of having a bit of a short fuse. But based on both Martin's behavior and the context in which it occurred, getting him off the floor was the right move.

Kenyon Martin is a player who has spent a career building an image for himself as someone who fashions himself a tough guy and isn't shy about playing dirty. The elbow to Varejao's mug wasn't a basketball play, and it seemed a clear attempt to punish the guy simply for having the audacity to set a screen. Further, the wheels were falling off for Denverat the time, and Martin had already earned himself a technical foul just 30 seconds earlier. He was clearly frustrated, and that manifested itself in the shot to AV's chops.

Beyond that, this game had already begun to get chippy, and it seemed Crawford wanted to nip that in the bud. LeBron James and Dahntay Jones had exchanged post-whistle shoves earlier in the second half, and the anger about an impending loss seemed to be building to a boiling point for the Nuggets. By getting Martin off the floor in a hurry after his unprovoked shot at Varejao, Crawford took a proactive step toward preventing any more physical trouble from breaking out between the two sides. Martin's move was just out of line enough to make a Flagrant 2 legitimate (albeit debatable), and the situation at the time put the nail in the coffin for his night.

Well done, Joey.

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Comments

AOK

Sounds about right Steve. The game was over anyway, why let things get out of control? Charles (and he wanted C’s Knicks for fan night next Tue, twice in one night, wow) and Kenny agreed also for what that’s worth. Obviously we have no clue what went on verbally but you could see how surprised LBJ was both times, it looked pretty one sided from what I could gather from it. And after the previous night’s scuffle, any moron could figure out they’d have a hair trigger.

by davemonsterband on Nov 14, 2008 4:13 AM EST reply actions

Good point about that Houston-Phoenix skirmish, dave

Wasn’t even thinking about that, but that’s just one more factor that could have been in Crawford’s head tonight.

I stuck around for Inside the NBA last night as well and saw Charles’ comments about next week on NBA TV…good stuff, huh?

Also, did you happen to catch K-Mart’s postgame remarks? I’m not his biggest fan.

On another TNT note, I really enjoyed the discussion between John Thompson, Rasheed and AI that they ran after the second game. Some of those interview features are really well done (David Aldridge did a fantastic piece with the Birdman last season) – I really need to start tuning into the postgame more often on Thursday nights.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 14, 2008 4:39 AM EST up reply actions

Did you guys see the game live? He didn’t actually throw an elbow to his face it was at his side. Plus the screen was moving, all I saw was Kmart leaning into the screen he didn’t lift his elbow at all.

"Im a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class, especially since I rule."
Randal Graves

by idrinkdetergent on Nov 14, 2008 8:37 AM EST reply actions

It could be that Martin merely coughed in the direction of Verajao; it’d be all the same with me. I’d be happy to see Martin tossed from any game for any reason whatsoever. I’d been long fed up with him before he ever reached the NBA.

If you want to be known as a thug, you should welcome all the ejections and fines you can get.

by no kidding on Nov 14, 2008 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

"If you want to be known as a thug, you should welcome all the ejections and fines you can get."

Perfectly put.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 14, 2008 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

It cuts both ways...

If Crawford wants to be known as an official, he should act like one. That seemed to be a big reach in the low def youtube clip for a flagrant, nonetheless flagrant two.

by Brendan on Nov 14, 2008 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed about Crawford's short fuse,

but I’d maintain that in the context of a game that was all but over and threatening to get chippy and with a player of Martin’s general disposition, I don’t have a problem with Crawford using a bit of a short leash to take precaution and keep any greater incident from occurring on the floor.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 14, 2008 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

What's the criteria for "acting like an official?"

As things are, Stern should name each official Sybil. Because he expects them to act completely different for each tier of player. The definition of a foul, a flagrant foul, and a travel varies with whom is being officiated.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 14, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

LINK TO VIDEO

I dont know think it was justifiable. Joey Crawford needs to be kept on a short leash and Stern should probably tell him to relax a bit.

by quikblink on Nov 14, 2008 9:27 AM EST reply actions

It was a ridiculous ejection.

Crawford should be suspended for singing his own tune instead of reffing the game at hand. Call the foul and have a quick word with the player before the Cavs shot their FTs,. It’d be finished with in a heartbeat, that’s all it needed, a little calmness from the official. Instead Crawford puts on a show.

by Who on Nov 14, 2008 9:49 AM EST reply actions

didn’t see the event but i did see the earlier behavior of lebron sticking out a fist as he was driving to the hoop and the foul being called on dahntay jones. lebron is a big crybaby who is a protected species. he gets away with a lot of posturing.

by nazzbo on Nov 14, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions

Jones should be suspended

How dare Dahntay get in the messiah’s way? Dahntay deserved the fist. Stern should take swift action in his continued crusade to protect, coddle, and worship the messiah.

The scary part about Crawford is that he is one of the better officials the league has to offer.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 14, 2008 12:36 PM EST reply actions

In defense of LeBron James.

Anyone can criticize James all they want. But in this same game, I saw Carmello Anthony, while putting up a bunny shot, seemingly go out of his way in to tag James square on the chin with a straight shot of his elbow. There was then a break in the action, and all James did was walk back to his bench, working his jaw to see if everything was still connected. James didn’t complain to the refs, take a flop, or engage in any theatrics. Clearly the guy can take it, as well as dish it out.

by no kidding on Nov 14, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions

No kidding, the moment you described should be treasured. It’s the first time in the career of the messiah, the NBA’s preeminent drama queen, that he hasn’t whined and given that sour look when a somebody has gotten within 3 feet of him.

I am no fan of Anthony. But the addition of Billups will make him a much better player.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 14, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions