Denver Nuggets: Why Nikola Jokić’s suspension was handled incorrectly

Denver Nuggets’  Nikola Jokić has been suspended for one game without pay because of violating the NBA’s policy of leaving the bench area during an altercation

During the matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz on Thursday night, an altercation occurred between Mason Plumlee and Derrick Favors.

The altercation took place next to the baseline and near the Nuggets’ bench area. Nikola Jokić and his teammates left the bench and stepped towards the altercation. However, there has to be a fine line between what the NBA deems a suspension and what it does not.

Arguments can be made whether or not the players who left the Nuggets’ bench should be suspended or fined.

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There was no malicious intent from Jokić or any of his teammates as they tried to see what was occuring in front of them.

The NBA must be consistent and fair in handing out fines and suspensions otherwise there will be nationwide outrage between the players, fans, and teams demanding change.

The Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins’ situation

When the Golden State Warriors played their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers back in October, a similar situation occurred during the 4th quarter.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins were not suspended or fined simply because what transpired between Quinn Cook and Lance Stephenson was not an “altercation.”

Whether or not an “altercation” occurred, the league rules prohibiting any players from leaving the bench area should ALWAYS be in effect.

It seems as if Curry and Cousins, star players of the Defending Champions, were given a free pass for this incident.

If they were to be suspended, Curry would have missed the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder and also receiving his 3rd championship ring.

While Cousins would have served his suspension upon his return from his Achilles injury.

The NBA’s rules should always remain in effect during the preseason and the regular season.

Comparison

Although there are differences between the two situations, the NBA must stand by its policies regardless of the situation and the players involved.

Of course Jokić had no business standing in the vicinity of the altercation, but we must also consider that he was accidentaly pushed closer by his teammates from behind.

So if Jokić was not pushed even closer to the altercation, would he have still been suspended?

And I am not saying that any of the Nuggets’ players on the bench were correct in standing up and moving towards the altercation.

But in comparison to what Curry and Cousins’ did, which was actually step onto the court, they should have also been suspended.

Take a look:

Summary

In conclusion, if the NBA decided to suspend Jokić for one game without pay they shouldn’t have had any problem handing suspensions out to Curry and Cousins.

Doing so would have ruled out any signs of favoritism and controversy by the NBA.

A fair penalty to this particular situation would have been to fine each player who stepped towards the altercation from the Nuggets’ bench.

Hopefully down the road the NBA will be completely unbiased when issuing suspensions and fines regardless of the situation or players involved.