http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/71029.html
Bibby plans to protest ejection
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Friday, November 3, 2006
CHICAGO -- When it comes to league-mandated decisions, Mike Bibby is rarely a fan.
The Kings point guard doesn't like the NBA dress code that was installed before last season, though his surprise return from a thumb injury in Wednesday night's regular-season opener at Minnesota kept his suit-less streak alive at 83 games and counting. Bibby despises the new synthetic ball, much preferring the rawhide feel of the long-gone leather.
Thursday, he added one to the list: the crackdown by officials on arguing and on-court antics. Bibby said he will likely protest his ejection that took place with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter of the Kings' loss, an infraction that will, unless overturned, cost him $3,000.
But more than disagreeing with the decision of official Derrick Stafford, he said he's upset with what he perceived as a double standard used in the application of the new rules.
"They've got people on the other team cursing at the same guy who kicked me out, and he's telling him, 'Calm down, just calm down.' " Bibby said. "And I say one word to him and he's going to kick me out the game?"
Asked which Timberwolves player he was referring to, he said, "Who do you think?"
The implied player was T-wolves forward Kevin Garnett, a renowned talker on the floor, not to mention a one-time MVP who was playing at home.
"There's no way I should have been kicked out the game," he said. "I didn't curse at him. I just probably said five words to him. Nothing bad. It was sarcastic.
"If you're going to start doing it to everybody, then do it to everybody. Don't pick the people you're going to do it to."
Bibby wasn't the only one frustrated with Garnett. In the third quarter, Garnett got tangled with Kings center Maurice Taylor, which led to Taylor's ejection. Taylor said he may inquire about protesting his ejection as well.
"He had called me every (curse word) in the book, so I was just looking at the ref with my hands up ... looking dead at the ref, and he kicked me out," said Taylor, who played just seven minutes. "(Garnett) always talks like that, but you can only take so much."
Artest-Wallace reunion -- Tonight is the first time Ron Artest and Ben Wallace will meet since the infamous brawl of Nov. 19, 2004, that took place in Detroit. Both players have changed teams since being forever linked by the ugliest incident in U.S. sports history.
When Artest -- who was suspended for the final 73 games of that season for entering the stands and fighting with fans -- was traded from Indiana to the Kings last season, the Jan. 25 deal came just 10 days before his Pacers were to face Wallace's Pistons. Wallace signed with Chicago in the offseason for four years and $52 million.
While Artest was unavailable for comment Thursday, Wallace spoke to the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill., about the rematch during training camp.
"I'm going out there to play basketball," Wallace said. "As long as we go out and play basketball, do what we're supposed to do and stay away from the foolishness, then it ain't nothing."
Long day trip -- According to Kings officials, coach Eric Musselman flew to New York to meet with members of the NBA security team regarding his Oct. 21 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Musselman, who would not comment on the trip, flew to the league offices Thursday morning and was back in Chicago by the afternoon. His assistants ran an optional team practice. A decision from the league regarding a possible penalty is not expected until the case is resolved. Musselman is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 20.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Bibby plans to protest ejection
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Friday, November 3, 2006
CHICAGO -- When it comes to league-mandated decisions, Mike Bibby is rarely a fan.
The Kings point guard doesn't like the NBA dress code that was installed before last season, though his surprise return from a thumb injury in Wednesday night's regular-season opener at Minnesota kept his suit-less streak alive at 83 games and counting. Bibby despises the new synthetic ball, much preferring the rawhide feel of the long-gone leather.
Thursday, he added one to the list: the crackdown by officials on arguing and on-court antics. Bibby said he will likely protest his ejection that took place with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter of the Kings' loss, an infraction that will, unless overturned, cost him $3,000.
But more than disagreeing with the decision of official Derrick Stafford, he said he's upset with what he perceived as a double standard used in the application of the new rules.
"They've got people on the other team cursing at the same guy who kicked me out, and he's telling him, 'Calm down, just calm down.' " Bibby said. "And I say one word to him and he's going to kick me out the game?"
Asked which Timberwolves player he was referring to, he said, "Who do you think?"
The implied player was T-wolves forward Kevin Garnett, a renowned talker on the floor, not to mention a one-time MVP who was playing at home.
"There's no way I should have been kicked out the game," he said. "I didn't curse at him. I just probably said five words to him. Nothing bad. It was sarcastic.
"If you're going to start doing it to everybody, then do it to everybody. Don't pick the people you're going to do it to."
Bibby wasn't the only one frustrated with Garnett. In the third quarter, Garnett got tangled with Kings center Maurice Taylor, which led to Taylor's ejection. Taylor said he may inquire about protesting his ejection as well.
"He had called me every (curse word) in the book, so I was just looking at the ref with my hands up ... looking dead at the ref, and he kicked me out," said Taylor, who played just seven minutes. "(Garnett) always talks like that, but you can only take so much."
Artest-Wallace reunion -- Tonight is the first time Ron Artest and Ben Wallace will meet since the infamous brawl of Nov. 19, 2004, that took place in Detroit. Both players have changed teams since being forever linked by the ugliest incident in U.S. sports history.
When Artest -- who was suspended for the final 73 games of that season for entering the stands and fighting with fans -- was traded from Indiana to the Kings last season, the Jan. 25 deal came just 10 days before his Pacers were to face Wallace's Pistons. Wallace signed with Chicago in the offseason for four years and $52 million.
While Artest was unavailable for comment Thursday, Wallace spoke to the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill., about the rematch during training camp.
"I'm going out there to play basketball," Wallace said. "As long as we go out and play basketball, do what we're supposed to do and stay away from the foolishness, then it ain't nothing."
Long day trip -- According to Kings officials, coach Eric Musselman flew to New York to meet with members of the NBA security team regarding his Oct. 21 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Musselman, who would not comment on the trip, flew to the league offices Thursday morning and was back in Chicago by the afternoon. His assistants ran an optional team practice. A decision from the league regarding a possible penalty is not expected until the case is resolved. Musselman is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 20.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
