Former NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson says Nene should be suspended for one game
Former NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson took to Twitter to give his thoughts on Wizards power forward Nene's scrap with Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler during Friday's game.
After further video review, the headbutt is debatable. Open handed swing at Butler's head is not. Nene gets automatic one game suspension
— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) April 26, 2014
RULE: Any player who swings his hand (with an open or closed fist) at another player, whether or not the hand connects, will be suspended.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) April 26, 2014
The play in question is shown below. Jackson contends that the headbutt was questionable, but the definitive offense is Nene's open-handed swing at Butler. In previous years, the NBA has suspended players for what they deemed to be more deliberate headbutts.
If he is suspended, Nene will miss Game 4 of the series which will take place on Sunday, thereby necessitating a replacement for him in the starting line-up. Following Nene's ejection on Friday, Wizards head coach Randy Wittman elected to play power forward Drew Gooden in his place. During that time, Gooden grabbed four rebounds and was a +4, but the Wizards eventually lost to the Bulls. In all likelihood, Wittman will likely turn once more to Gooden, or forward Trevor Booker to mop up Nene's missed time.
Through three games, Nene has been pivotal to the Wizards' success in the series, and has posted per-game averages of 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3 assists.
However, the more worrying trend to look for is how Nene's absence frees up Bulls center Joakim Noah. Nene's sheer size at 6-foot-11, 260 pounds commands Noah's utmost attention in the post, but his absence should allow Noah to roam around more freely on defense, which may pay dividends for the Bulls.
The Wizards currently lead the series 2-1.