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Should Dwight Howard have been suspended?

By Josh Criswell

May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts while speaking to the media after the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts while speaking to the media after the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dwight Howard was not suspended by the NBA for an elbow thrown in the direction of Andrew Bogut in Game 4, but was this the right decision?

Dwight Howard put his Houston Rockets teammates in a terrible spot last night when he flung his left arm in the direction of Golden State Warriors big man Andrew Bogut’s face last night.

Fortunately for the championship-starved Houston sports fans, the NBA decided to not upgrade the original call on the play of Flagrant 1 foul to a Flagrant 2, which would have meant an automatic suspension for the Rockets’ All-Star center. In doing so, Houston keeps its ever so small NBA playoff aspirations alive.

Here is the incident between Bogut and Howard that has generated debate and stirred controversy for the past 24 hours:

Does Dwight Howard deserve a suspension for his role in this brief scuffle?

I do not believe so.

NBA analyst Mark Jackson said it perfectly during ESPNs live broadcast of the game. While the officials were reviewing the play on the court, he adamantly stated that you must take the way the game is being called into consideration when making such decisions.

In this instance, Howard was fouled twice by Bogut on non-basketball plays in a span of two seconds; a shove to back followed by having his arm grabbed, and not let go of. The Rockets big man swung his arm back in retaliation, and was immediately called for a Flagrant 1.

The Flagrant 1 was the right call. NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn discussed the decision to not upgrade to a Flagrant 2 and suspend Howard with USA Today.

"“Bogut had his arm over Howard’s arm, trying to extricate himself. As he did, he flailed his arm backwards and hit Bogut in the face. My feeling was it unnecessary which comes under the guise of flagrant one but it was not unnecessary and excessive.”"

The league office appears to have gotten the call right, despite it being a very close one, and the Houston Rockets caught a major break in the process. Fans were worried after J.R. Smith was suspended two games for a similar play in which he hit his opponent in the face. Smith, however, was much more deliberate in making physical contact, while Howard’s incident was a mix of frustration and trying to free himself from an opponent who would not let go of his arm.

Even though he escaped punishment this time, Howard has to be smarter than that and keep his emotions in check, even when being antagonized by his opponent. He always has a bulls-eye on his back, and must learn to deal with these situations better.

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