A great game turned in to complete havoc last night in the Los Angeles Sparks - Detroit Shock game. LA eventually won the game 84-81 but the final 5 seconds of the game is what everyone will come to remember.
With 4.6 seconds left on the game clock, things got a little hairy. This all starts moments after LA's Candace Parker and Detroit's Cheryl Ford were seperated after a hard foul by Ford in midst of Parker/Ford going up for a simple rebound.
During the next possession, Parker was then "hip-checked" to the floor by Detroit's Plenette Pierson and Parker falls to the ground. This is all followed up by Pierson, the obvious villian in this ordeal, then intentionally running Parker over. The melee starts.
Benches are cleared and Parker throws a punch at Pierson before being tackled by Detroit's Deanna Nolan. Players and coaches from both teams joined in, and Detroit's Assistant Coach Rick Mahorn actually shoved Lisa Leslie to the court at one point.
Mahorn was also involved in the 2004 Pistons-Pacers brawl while working as a Detroit broadcaster, going into the crowd to try to pull Ron Artest away from fans. He was also known as a "bad-boy" why back when in his years with Detroit.
After the game, Detroit Head Coach and other Detroit personel tried explaining that Mahorn is more of a peacemaker and would never do something like shove an opposing player. Well I think it is obvious that peacemaker is the wrong word here, as Mahorn was clearly un-professional and at some points idiotic. If he wants to shove players to the ground in hope to regain control of the situation, he should of done it to one of his players. Not the class act of the league.
Shortly after Rick Mahorn shoves Leslie to the ground, teamate of Leslie's, DeLisha Milton-Jones runs to Leslies aid and pushes and actually delivered a decent punch to Rick Mahorn.
All in all, Milton-Jones, Parker, Pierson, and Detroit assistant Rick Mahorn were ejected from the game. Nolan and Shannon Bobbitt received technicals. WNBA officials have reported that it will be likely that Parker (unfortuately) and Pierson will receive heavy suspensions relating to the inncident.
As you can tell this was a very difficult game to official. There were some bad calls down the stretch and, apparently, the game was very physical throughout as refferees clearly did a terrible job at getting any kind of control over the situation.
It was a very unfortunate situation that could of been avoided. Cheryl Ford actually tore her ACL while trying to break up the fight.
I, myself, cannot remember any kind of brawl in the WNBA in a very long time. Even more so, I cannot remember a male coach intentionally shoving a female player to the ground like Rick Mahorn did. I dont care if he is more of a "peacemaker", the bottom line is that he DID push Lish Leslie to the ground. Shame on you Rick Mahorn, I would like to see you try to push a male NBA player to the ground and see what happens. Now that I think of it, I am SURE Lisa Leslie would kick your pathetic ****.
Love me or hate me, that is sports through the eyes of Jay. I am out.
- Jay
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Interesting... didn't hear about it until now.
FoosBall
Total Comments (3352)
"With 4.6 seconds left on the game clock, things got a little hairy"
You mean shaved???........
Freebird is AWESOM-O
Biloxi , MS
Total Comments (819)
Good blog. Rick Mahorn is a complete idiot for that.
J. HOVA: PRIMETIME
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (17901)
I've seen the video and I really don't think he was trying to push Lisa Leslie down. I think he was just trying to separate them. I really don't think he intended her to go flying the way she did.
You could see instantly that he looked very shocked and concerned.
I think it was an accident.
BUTTMAN
Kings Park , NY
Total Comments (303)
Even if he didnt do it on purpose, he should of never put his hands on an opposing player. Especially a woman. If he is going to touch anyone, make it his own players. I find it hard to accidentally shove someone to the ground. That's like the everyday fued when some kid pushes his brother and his brother runs to mom telling her what happened and all the kid says was "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, AN ACCIDENT!!!". Of course it was.
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
BTW, I have seen the video as well. Seen it numerous times on youtube, ESPN, and my local news.
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
Mahorn was just trying to seperate the players..., if Leslie fell, maybe she tripped over her shoe or something. As for Pierson..., she tried to steamroll Parker as she was trying to get up? Wonder what the league's going to say about this one..., never thought this kind of thing would happen in the WNBA.
Kev316
Peterborough, ON
Total Comments (647)
Kev, take a look at the blog's pic that I put up... Yeah, you are right. She tripped over her shoe.
The look on that guy's face says it all. He is looking straight into her eyes. Also, look at his hands! Enough said. He DID NOT shove her on accident.
I am not a fan of the WNBA or the Sparks or Lisa Leslie but I do know how to call them as I see them and he pushed her. I do kinda like Candace Parker but thats beyond the point..
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
i was just watching ESPN and it had one of those "breaking news" things come across and they just found out that Cheryl Ford tore her ACL while trying to break up the fight. they previously thought it was a minor knee sprain.. not so much.
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
It showed the players are out there giving 100%, I don't think the fight is bad publicity at all. Doubt Mahorn pushed Leslie, She probrably lost her balance. It's a shame for Cheryl Ford indeed, she's a good player w/ a lot of heart.
LAKERSRDABOMB
Woodbine , NJ
Total Comments (5)
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