5 games is right about on target based on precedents. It was a cheap shot, but coe on, once upon a time things like this happened every night. Well, maybe every week.
It isn't once upon a time anymore, and you know it.
Living in the past isn't an option for you, just as it isn't an option for the league officials.
If he actually injures the guy you of course bounce it upwards. As is though, he lost his temper, and the total cost is probably going to be something like $1million for it (fine + lost wages). Not only nothing to sneeze at, people get themselves killed chasing $1million.
Bynum HAS injured players with that exact move.
He broke Gerald Wallace's rib and punctured his lung :
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3866849
Then he did a WORSE flagrant against Michael Beasley this year, and was suspended 2 games for it (and that wasn't in the midst of an ***-kicking sweep in the playoffs).
I am disappointed that you would even mention what his lost salary might turn out to be. It is a PRIVILEDGE to play in the NBA, not a right.
Bynum has proven himself, on no less than THREE separate occasions, to purposely elbow-punch into the chest area of a defenseless opposing player in the air, and it has succeeded in severely injuring before.
The fact that Berea didn't HAPPEN to be seriously injured in that occurrence is absolutely immaterial, as I'm sure you'd agree given Bynum's history. If the NBA waits for a player to be injured to act, they are closing the barn door after the horse escapes.
By not coming down harder on Bynum, the NBA is tacitly allowing this bush league play that the entire Lakers organization was forced to apologize for.
This was a HUGE mistake that flies in the face of current penalty histories, in this era where players are suspended for actions that aren't even on the court/field.
The fact remains - the ONLY penalty is $25,000 - the 5 games is simply removing a privilege from a player who has proven himself to the world unworthy of playing.