Chris Andersen was called for a technical foul along with a flagrant one for his altercation with Tyler Hansbrough during the Miami Heat's victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, but NBA commissioner David Stern believes Andersen should have been ejected.
David Stern says Chris Andersen should have been ejected for shove on Tyler Hansbrough
The NBA commissioner seems to disagree with how the refs handled the situation.
Chris 'Birdman' Andersen suspended for Game 6
The Birdman has been grounded for Game 6. Stern was a guest on NBC Sports Radio’s “Speaking of Sports with Rob Simmelkjaer” and had this to say about Andersen’s controversial outburst, via Pro Basketball Talk:
“I do think he should have been ejected. I looked at the replays and, it seems to me, there was no immediate push or shove of him, he just hauled off and knocked down Tyler Hansbrough. I don’t know what he was doing. And then he pushed him. And then he did not go gracefully to the bench.”
Stern then says a “serious review of activities” should happen and to “stay tuned.”
If you haven’t seen the altercation, here’s Andersen blindsiding Hansbrough and pushing him once he was back on his feet:
Stern states that Andersen should have been ejected, and also says that there will be a “serious review of activities,” so there is reason to believe that the league will move to suspend Andersen for Game 6 in Indiana.
Andersen has been a key contributor for Miami while the Heat have taken a 3-2 lead in the series. He has made all 15 field goals he has taken against Indiana, averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game through the Eastern Conference finals.
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