I've had some time to reflect on what happened at Oracle Friday night. What happened was not necessary. Kyle Lowry getting shoved and insulted by Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens in Game 4 was not acceptable. I think the punishment fits the crime for the most part. A year ban from Warriors games and a 500 thousand dollar fine is fair. Maybe a tidbit harsh, but nothing that needs to added further.
What I don't get is some players insistence to punish Stevens even more. If he did more than the insults and shove, I would see a reason to have a more severe punishment. But it does raise concerns over player safety. Give Lowry credit, though. Unlike Russell Westbrook at times during his career, he didn't act like a cry baby and didn't let Stevens get into his head. This will be one of the uglier stains on a bad Finals for the Warriors unless they win the next three, which I seriously doubt they will.
Adam Silver should not be bullied by LeBron James and a few of the other players. He set the punishment. Let it be. There's no need to escalate it into something worse.
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