SB Nation Arizona - Robin Lopez Draws One-Game Suspension For Bumping Refhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-01-25T16:41:31-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24989312012-01-25T16:41:31-07:002012-01-25T16:41:31-07:00Robin Lopez Suspended One Game By NBA For Referee Incident
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P6ofBQ524D9vVwaMjMr-870A4J4=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828097/large_arizona.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> will be missing their back up center in their next game against the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a>. <span>Robin Lopez</span> will be serving a one-game suspension for the incident that got him ejected in his previous contest against the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a>. Here's part of the press release.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>NEW YORK</b>, Jan. 25, 2012 –<span style="color:red"> </span>Robin Lopez of the Phoenix Suns has been suspended one game without pay for improper conduct towards a game official, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.<span style="color:red"> </span><br> <br> The incident, in which Lopez made contact with an official, occurred with 8:14 remaining in the second quarter of the Suns’ 99-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz. on Jan. 24.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Lopez didn't get a call in the post against Toronto, wasn't happy about it, then eventually fouled a Raptor before heading back to the sideline. But as he walked to the bench, he not only glared at the referee that he presumed missed the call, he bumped into him on the way back to the sideline. That's a big no-no, and what earned him the one game suspension. <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/suns/2012/01/24/0021100255_tor_phx_recap.nba" target="_blank">You can see the incident unfold :40 into this clip from NBA.com.</a></p>
<p>It's unlikely you'll see much of a defense from the coaching staff, as<a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/1/24/2731737/robin-lopez-ejected-bumping-ref-phoenix-suns-extension/in/2494635" target="_blank"> Alvin Gentry seems willing to sweep the incident under the rug</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I don't know. I don't really give a shit to tell the truth. You have to talk to him about that."</p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>To discuss Lopez with other Suns fans, <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com" target="_blank">check out Bright Side of the Sun</a> where the incident prompted calls to trade Lopez.</i></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2012/1/25/2731476/its-time-for-the-phoenix-suns-to-trade-robin-lopez" target="_blank">It's Time for the Phoenix Suns to Trade Robin Lopez - Bright Side Of The Sun</a><br>As if losing to the Raptors at home last night wasn't bad enough, Suns center Robin Lopez got himself ejected from the game in the second quarter due to another of his failures at temper control. It was a new low for Lopez in a season that had started so well for the Suns big man.</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><i><b>For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/sbnarizona" target="_blank">@SBNArizona</a> and "Like" us </b></i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/sbnarizona"><b><i>on Facebook. </i></b></a><i><b></b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/1/25/2734898/robin-lopez-phoenix-suns-videoAvinash Kunnath2012-01-24T22:36:48-07:002012-01-24T22:36:48-07:00Robin Lopez Ejected For Bumping Ref; Suns Not Offering Extension
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P6ofBQ524D9vVwaMjMr-870A4J4=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828097/large_arizona.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Robin Lopez</span> made news for two completely unrelated reasons on Tuesday night. Before the game <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> President of Basketball Operations told Fox Sports Arizona that the team won't be offering Lopez an extension before the January 25th deadline. Lopez was then ejected in the second quarter of the Suns loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> for making contact with an official.</p>
<p>Here's what Babby had to say about the extension he won't be offering:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/01/24/12/Suns-wont-extend-Lopezs-contract/landing_suns.html?blockID=652568&feedID=3698" target="_blank">Suns won't extend Lopez's contract</a><br>Suns coach <span>Alvin Gentry</span> said Lopez has been limited by <span>Marcin Gortat's</span> efficiency this season rather than any further regression, and Babby said the fact that Lopez's contract not being extended should not be interpreted as referendum on the organization's feelings about his future.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't read anymore into it than there's a deadline and the deadline's going to pass," Babby said. "And we've agreed to put this off to another day."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Without the extension, Lopez will become an restricted free agent at the end of the season. He can receive offers from other teams which the Suns have the right to match.</p>
<p>The frustration Lopez showed on the court Tuesday night after not getting a call on the offensive end was likely not related to the lack of an extension offer (Lopez in the FSN story seemed fine with the decision), but his coach's reaction to the ejection very well could signal what happens next.</p>
<p>Instead of backing Lopez or giving a neutral response when asked what happened during the game, Gentry said:</p>
<p>"I don't know. I don't really give a shit to tell the truth. You have to talk to him about that."</p>
<p>Those were not the words of a supportive coach. Lopez was unavailable to the media after the game.</p>
<p><i><b>For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/sbnarizona" target="_blank">@SBNArizona</a> and "Like" us </b></i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/sbnarizona"><b><i>on Facebook. </i></b></a><i><b></b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/phoenix-suns/2012/1/24/2731737/robin-lopez-ejected-bumping-ref-phoenix-suns-extensionSeth Pollack