<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Caron Butler received a one-game suspension from the NBA on Thursday for punching New Orleans guard Dan Dickau in the stomach. Butler was ejected from Wednesday night's game against the Hornets when he took a swing at Dickau after being tripped. The trip didn't appear to be intentional. Butler denied trying to punch Dickau and said he didn't believe he'd receive a suspension. But he will miss Saturday's game against former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat.</div> Butler Suspended This could be the deciding factor in who wins tommorow's game against the Heat for the Lakers. Butler would have been expected to score on a weak defender that he would be matched up against if i'm not mistaken (Eddie Jones).
Yeah all ready posted here http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread...?t=28431&page=4 I think the Heat got a huge break with this, but I still think the emotion of the game is what will carry it not who is playing as long as Shaq and Kobe are in there just a feeling. I also can not under rate odom this game he is playing his old team for the first time, and he will want to prove it was a bad move trading him, and that they should have tryed to change the deal up to keep him.
Although this was posted in the Christmas Preview, I'll keep the thread up to discuss what happened between Butler and Dickau, and any effect it should have on the game Saturday. Thing is, I look at this and say, "Okay...I didn't expect it...but maybe this is good." Now...you're probably wondering why...so here you go: C - Mihm/Grant/Medvedenko PF - Odom/Cook SF - Jones/Walton SG - Kobe/Vujacic PG - Atkins/Tierre/Bobbitt Now, Mihm/Odom/Jones/Kobe are all pulling down around 8 or more boards per 48 minutes...and that's what we're going to need against Shaq and Haslem. In the starting five, we'll have Odom matched up with Haslem, which is a good idea because Haslem isn't very slow and can find his way to the glass quickly...and Jumaine will have a shot at guarding Eddie Jones...two shooters that will either be hot or cold from the arc. However, Jumaine is a more physical player than Eddie, so he should concentrate on slashing to the hoop and stay away from fouling. This also allows Bobbitt to be activated from the IR. But...if George was healthy, I'd be happy to see him (believe it or not). Anyways, we'll miss Butler...but I'm going to be optimistic and say that I won't lose sleep over it tonight.
Even without Butler,I Think the Lakers will still do fine in the Miami Heat game on X-Mas.I Don't think it's that much of a big deal without him being there.
It was a dumb move by Butler, but either way I don't think it'll effect the outcome... I believe Shaq won't leave without a win.
That was pretty stupid to get suspended before the biggest game of the season. This will definatly change the outcome of tomorrow's game. I wanted to see a great game going down the stretch. Kobe and Odom will have to put up big numbers if the Lakers want to win this one.
