Payton, Claxton ejected for scuffle

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Payton, Claxton ejected for scuffle


February 19, 2004
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Gary Payton and Golden State Warriors guard Speedy Claxton were ejected for fighting in the third quarter Wednesday night.

After Claxton was called for a foul while trying to make a steal, Payton elbowed him in the chest. Claxton angrily shoved away Payton's arm, and Payton wrapped his arms around Claxton while driving him into the scorers' table.

Coaches, teammates and officials intervened, with referee Tony Brothers tackling Payton to the floor.

Claxton had 18 points and four assists, soundly outplaying Payton before the ejections. Payton, an Oakland native, had family members in attendance who booed when the ejections were announced.

That's great sportsmanship.

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

that was funny ... did anybody watch the game???
it looked as if payton pulled the tyson move by going for claxton's ear!!
lol it was hilarious

but the game was off da hook ... what a wild ending

[Andrew]

I'm guessing the league will be handing out a couple of one game suspensions.

[Bill Russell]

Payton's game has slipped a LOT... I watched 4 Lakers' games this season and he's noticeably different...

[.]

Lol, that was hella funny, Claxtons eyes were like this " " , I doubt there will be any suspension, cause no punch was throwed

[GloveGuy]

Seemed like a good excuse for Shaq to make a funny statement:

"It's kinda funny, the little midget Warrior coach can say anything he wants, but when Gary says something, he gets ejected," O'Neal said.

It's unfortunate for both of them. Physically, Payton's been really struggling keeping up with the quicker point guards, and that seemed to be evident last night. It was a good win for the Lake-Show though. Kobe's been playing spectacular the last two games.

[Guest]

Payton's game has slipped a LOT... I watched 4 Lakers' games this season and he's noticeably different...

Thats his age showing.

[wonkajane]

if you guys really saw the fight you could clearly see that payton instigated it all...claxton didnt 'angrily shove' payton's arm, it was the kinda thing that was like 'get off of me, what are you doing?' and payton goes and shoves his face in claxton's for no reason....claxton didnt say anything to payton while he was jabberjawing....it was obvious payton was just frustrated that hes becoming an old fart and was upset that he couldnt defend speedy, let alone anyone anymore...

completely ridiculous call to eject speedy

[Bill Russell]

Thats his age showing.

Yes, and Gary Smart Guy managed to take off Claxton with him too...

[Andrew]

Lol, that was hella funny, Claxtons eyes were like this " " , I doubt there will be any suspension, cause no punch was throwed

Perhaps...the league sometimes does hand out suspensions for physical confrontations, even if no punches are thrown. I thought they might come down hard on GP, as he's been ejected a couple of times this season.

[GloveGuy]

Looks like it's just fines for both of them

The funny thing is, as much trouble Payton's had keeping up with guys like Claxton and Tony Parker at this age, SI did a poll where the coaches said that out of all the other point guards in the league, they'd leastly want him guarding their point guard at the end of the game. He's still a great defender and it's a talent of his you can't teach.

As much as his physcial abilities hold him down, he's still clutch on the defensive side, much like Jordan with the Wizards.

[Robby]

The funny thing is, as much trouble Payton's had keeping up with guys like Claxton and Tony Parker at this age, SI did a poll where the coaches said that out of all the other point guards in the league, they'd leastly want him guarding their point guard at the end of the game. He's still a great defender and it's a talent of his you can't teach.

Really? Do you have a link or something for that story because I find that very hard to believe.

[GloveGuy]

From the February 16th Issue with St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson on the cover:

Best on-ball defender:
Ron Artest, Pacers.......16
Bruce Bowen, Spurs......5
Gary Payton, Lakers......2

...

The defenders you'd want, by position, if you neeeded to make one stop to win a title:
Ron Artest, SF, Pacers.......20
Kevin Garnett, PF, T-Wolves.......13
Tim Duncan, C, Spurs.......15
Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers.......12
Gary Payton, PG, Lakers.......12

[Andrew]

Looks like it's just fines for both of them

That's probably for the best. I wasn't actually hoping for suspensions, but it wouldn't have surprised me.

[Matthew]

Thats suprising.. shaq gets suspended for going off about refs but payton gets away with this.. oh well..

[Bill Russell]

That's because they are good friends... The NBA takes friendships into consideration...

[kevC]

Speaking of Payton... check out my payton for live 2003 in the 2003 announcement section