Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes hopped on Twitter last night to share his thoughts on J.R. Smith's two game suspension. Smith was ejected and subsequently suspended for hitting Celtics forward Jae Crowder with a wild backfist during Game 4 of the Celtics/Cavaliers series. In Barnes' opinion—and this is a guy who's gotten into scraps with half the league at this stage of his career—Smith's suspension was too lenient.
Not a knock on Jr cause he's the homie, but I get 1game for pushing someone! Let me take a swing w/a closed fist. NBA picks & chooses #joke
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) April 27, 2015
We both have a history, so come up with another excuse!!
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) April 27, 2015
Dnt get me wrong I wanna see Jr help his team, specially considering it's the playoffs. I'm using him as an example its not directed at him
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) April 27, 2015Although he didn't explicitly point to this example when he wrote "I get 1game for pushing someone," Barnes is likely referencing his February 2013 pushing incident with Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma, for which he received a one game suspension.
The optics of J.R's spinning fist are much worse.
He's since apologized for the incident and suspension. Smith's developing quite the knack for violent playoff suspensions.
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