It's official. Rafer Alston is suspended for Game 3.

Man I was just starting to hope after seeing the Aldridge slapping KG video

Dangit.

by Stan in a Van (Down by the River) on May 7, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any word on Kobe/Fisher yet?

I have my lenghty rant for how hypocritical and inconsistent the NBA is in these matters all planned out, but I’m going to wait to see what happens with the two Lakers in question before I post it.

by Lee for three on May 7, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nothing official yet, but I imagine Fisher will get suspended, while Kobe will not.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Playoff Central

by Ben Q Rock on May 7, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Official now: Fisher suspended, Bryant assessed a Flagrant 1 foul

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Playoff Central

by Ben Q Rock on May 7, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not surprised at the penalties that were handed down.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent...I'm on my way out for a little now, so I'll be posting later tonight.

I’m going to do my best to keep it objective…but like the NBA what I say and what I do may not be the same thing. Anyways, should be a doozy.

by Lee for three on May 7, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well that just sucks.

Stupid of Rafer. Stupid of the NBA.

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on May 7, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dumb move by Alston. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well damns

by fwedo on May 7, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't say I'm surprised.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's one thing that bothers me (besides Rondo not getting any suspension for his actions in Round 1)...

…that what Rafer did, while suspension worthy (I guess), gets the same exact suspension as what Fisher did. They aren’t even close to being the same, with Fisher’s blow being much more malicious! I never have, currently do not, and probably never will understand what constitutes a suspension and how long the suspension will last. How long was Carmelo Anthony suspended a couple of seasons ago for swinging and missing on a punch? Two weeks or something? Yeah, I don’t get it…

by malars on May 7, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well said

They just go by the flavour of the week, I guess.

by cordobes on May 7, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the NBA needs to do a better job of determining what is and isn't suspension-worthy.

There’s a bit of a grey-area that’s plaguing the rule book. You’re Alston/Fisher comparison is an example.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not as confused as to each being suspended, but both for 1 game for completely varying levels of maliciousness is what gets me...

by malars on May 7, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fisher should be done for more than

1 game IMO…that was 25 times worse than howard’s

by celticinorlando on May 7, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely pre-meditated, with regards to Fisher.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK I lied, I couldnt wait until later so I posted it now...it's in the Fanpost section.

It’s pretty lengthy, but I’d love some feedback.

by Lee for three on May 7, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so, so stupid.

basically lee has to play now and guard rondo most of the game.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on May 7, 2009 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee, JJ, Hedo backcourt?

With Johnson and Pietrus coming off the bench?

by cordobes on May 7, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee isn't starting at PG .. that's .. not happening.

Anthony Johnson will start at the point but rest assured, C. Lee is going to see a ton of minutes.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I didn't mean literally "starting backcourt" and "coming off the bench"

More thinking in terms of minutes allocation. But do you like the idea of the 3 of them – Hedo, Lee, Redick/Pietrus – playing together for extended minutes?

by cordobes on May 7, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear you.

A triplet of Lee/Pietrus/Hedo can work .. especially on defense. Courtney played a little bit of point during the regular season, so he’s capable of playing the 1 here and there.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the insight

I’m curious to see how SVG will handle this.

by cordobes on May 7, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem. Happy to help.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Lee will blanket Rondo for the majority of the game.

At this point, Stan Van Gundy has no choice ..

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Onto game four.

Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on May 7, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

how much stamina and energy

will lee have? do you guys expect him to be rusty? i feel fisher should have received 2 games for that forearm

by celticinorlando on May 7, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee should be fine .. he only missed three games total.

He may be a little rusty, but with regards to energy and stamina, I don’t think that’ll be a big issue.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i do expect lee to play rondo

but who plays ray allen? anthony johnson?? i expect hedo, lee, redick, lewis and howard a lot

by celticinorlando on May 7, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Lee will play Rondo.

.. I expect Pietrus and Redick to share the duties on Ray Allen. That shouldn’t change.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey first time posting, i happen to have watched a few magic games this season and i thought courtney lee and jj actually handled the pg position pretty well, i guess they together with turk can share the ball handling. hopefully home court adv will be enough to bring us a win tmr night. magic till i die!

by Wall851 on May 7, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, hopefully the home crowd can give Orlando a boost tomorrow. The team will need it.

Welcome to 3QC, btw! Thanks for posting.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 7, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team is a f*cking joke. See ya'll tomorrow.

Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on May 7, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The argument about whether Alston should be suspended or not

…could probably go on for quite a while.

The bottom line, though, is Alston should have never, never, put himself in that situation through his actions with the slap to House’s head.

I wish Alston would have kept his cool instead.

As unfortunate as the suspension is, I am still looking optimistically toward Game 3 and do believe the Magic can still win Game 3 with the home crowd behind them, with Lee’s return, an angry Dwight Howard who knows that he played poorly in Game 2, and a better effort from Lewis and Turk who also did not have good games in Game 2.

by Mike from Illinois on May 7, 2009 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs