Yep. In the video I posted Jason Smith got 2 games for that hit on Griffin which is the EXACT same thing that Wade did.

The revenue projections and cost/benefits analysis when cross-referenced with the already low Y-over-Y TV ratings don't support that conclusion.

Yup, but there's one major difference. Wade earns the league $150 mil a year while Jason Smith might only earn the league $5 mil a year.

That's one of the reasons I just can't see the Heat not making the finals. The league stands to lose too much money.

Not the same thing.

In the Jason Smith instance Griffin had the ball and was dribbling towards the basket when Smith ran up on him and trucked him.

Wade definitely threw an elbow/forearm which caused Collison to fly. The difference is Collison, without the ball, undercut Wade's forward progress. There was going to be contact (with Collison getting the brunt of it) no matter what. Wade initiated extra contact and got the flagrant 1.

Thanks David Stern. :)

I'm sorry dude. It's all about the NBA wanting their stars in the game and the Heat in the finals. That's a suspension in the regular season.

Cmon. He trucked him right before he was going to catch the ball. He made no attempt what so ever to play defense he just took him out because he was mad that he didn't get the call on the other end.

You are correct, for the most part. The difference between the two is that Jason Smith was in no way going to make any contact with Griffin until he decided to - and he blasted him. Wade was going to make contact no matter what, and when he did he took out his frustration on Collison. I'm not arguing that what Wade did was a defensive basketball play.

You are welcome plebian errr valued NBA fan.

The POS lowered his shoulder 10 feet out, his intent was to plow DC. It was a pussy move. Here is the full clip.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LMLnOTewYGg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Not too worried, that prima donna bitch will regret doing that when he gets his.

I guess this is a good example of KC's point about Artest. Stars are protected for dirty play. It doesn't mean Artest isn't a complete lowlife piece of shit, and deserving of his penalties. It's just others should be treated the same.

Here are a few more. Its quite sad.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1087723/bron2.gif

http://www.sportsgeekery.com/wp-cont...ron-flop-3.gif

http://www.sportsgeekery.com/wp-cont...ron-flop-2.gif

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8AAM_mdNVek?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Artest is perceived in that way partly because he isn't protected by the league/media and never has been. Guys like Kobe and Wade can pull their shit, the league/media doesn't focus on it, and we eventually forget about it while waiting for the next amazing thing they'll do on the court.