The Phoenix Suns want Greg Anthony of the New York Knicks suspended for a year for his role in one of the wildest brawls in NBA history.
Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and guard Kevin Johnson are calling for the severe punishment for the Knicks guard, one of six players ejected during the the Phoenix-New York game Tuesday night."I'm going to voice my opinion in terms of what I saw, and I think Anthony is the guy who more than anyone else in responsible for the thing getting out of control," Colangelo said.
He said he would speak with Rod Thorn, the NBA's vice president-operations, about the incident during the 121-92 Suns victory.
NBA spokesmen said the league was conducting its investigation of the brawl and would announce any penalties today, following a review of game films and talks with everyone involved, including players, coaches and officials.
Anthony, in street clothes because of a strained ankle, sucker-punched Johnson in the skirmish that erupted just before halftime.
Johnson said he didn't like being blindsided by Anthony.
"A bystander, I mean, a scrub like that to throw a punch," Johnson said, after Anthony ran onto the court and hit him. "That's what I can't understand. I'm just waiting to see what the league office does."
The Knicks offered no rebuttal - or any other comment. Coach Pat Riley ordered the dressing room closed after the game, and America West Arena security guards enforced the embargo.
The fight followed an escalating battle between Johnson and Doc Rivers. And it triggered a full-scale brawl that left the Knicks with eight eligible players to finish the second half of the emotionally charged meeting of conference leaders.
In addition to Anthony being ejected, the Knicks lost both starting guards - Rivers and John Starks - and forward Anthony Mason, and the Suns lost Johnson and Danny Ainge.
"Obviously, you don't want to fight, but in a day and age where athletes really don't care about their jobs any more and just want to make money, I think it's nice that you fight for something you believe in," said Charles Barkley of the Suns.
"New York tries to intimidate," said Ainge. "They try to push. They try to shove. They try to move on picks - every little thing. You know, it's all just crap. You can't intimidate guys in this league."
Rivers, enraged when he was hit with a foul for charging Johnson with 24 seconds left in the half, emptied both benches when he clashed with Johnson.
Order was restored after Rivers, Starks, Johnson and Ainge were assessed technical fouls.
Just before the half ended, Starks got off a shot that missed, and Rivers and Johnson collided on a pick. Rivers went down and charged Johnson again.
The floor filled not only with players but Riley and coach Paul Westphal of the Suns. Riley had his trousers torn in the skirmish.
The ejections were not announced until the start of the third quarter, and Johnson had to be restrained again.