Aggressive or Dirty?

It’s playoff basketball time in the NBA.  In the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavilers swept the Boston Celtics in 4 straight games.  The 4^th and final game of the series resulted in injuries for both teams. It is often said that athlete’s aggression levels increase during the playoffs, but when does that aggression cross the line?

            During game 4, Kelly Olynyk and Kevin Love were battling for a rebound; their arms got tied up.  Once their arms unlocked Kevin Love ran directly to the locker room area.  Love’s shoulder was dislocated during the tussle. The video replay is graphic and you can see the pain and agony expressed in Love's face.  Love’s injury will more than likely cause him to miss some playoff action. Olynyk was called for a foul on the play. Olynk's Foul on Love

            Jae Crowder was also injured in Game 4.  J.R. Smith and Crowder were battling for position for a rebound.   As Crowder and Smith aggressively battled for position, J.R. swung his arm back and hit Crowder with his closed fist.  Crowder fell to the ground and had to be helped off the court.  Smith was awarded a flagrant foul 2 and was ejected from the game. Smith's Foul on Crowder

            A similar situation occurred when Metta World Peace and James Harden collided a couple years ago.   World Peace was suspended for 7 games, due to his elbow to the head of Harden. David Stern was the commissioner at the time and he said,

The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area...We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations. (Gaines, 2012, para. 4)

Were these incidents examples of aggressive or dirty plays?  Should Olynyk and/or Smith be suspended? If so, how many games? If not why?  What can the commissioner/NBA do to deter dirty/over aggressive plays in the NBA? In your opinion, does the playoffs (any sport) increase aggression among players/coaches?

-David Sims

References

Gaines, C (2012, April 24) The Athlete Formerly Known As Ron Artest Has Been Suspended For Throwing A Vicious Elbow. BusinessInsdier.com. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/metta-world-peace-ron-artest-suspended-for-throwing-a-vicious-elbow-2012-4