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Houston Rockets striker Carmelo Anthony (7) watches a team-mate make free throws in the second quarter against the Clippers at Staples Center.(Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA Today Sports)
LOS ANGELES – Carmelo Anthony admitted he was "shocked" that his Houston Rockets teammate Chris Paul was only suspended two games for his role in the Staples Center asset.
Speaking Sunday night, 24 hours after his colleague had punched Rajo Rondo, the Los Angeles Lakers' guard, Anthony had expressed concern that Paul would be sentenced to a harsher sentence.
"I'm actually a little shocked by the number of missing matches," said Anthony, following the Rockets' 115-112 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Lakers striker Brandon Ingram was banned four games and Rondo three.
"It's actually our advantage to be honest with you," he continued. "I've seen him play 10 to 15 games before. I was the culprit this year. But see CP – I do not want to talk about CP – but see only CP has only two games … I did not know what to expect to be honest.
"Nothing surprises me more with the NBA, nothing surprises me. So for him, having only two games, that's fine. "
Anthony previously alluded to a fight between the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets in 2006. Then, with the Nuggets, Anthony was ruled out for 15 games after throwing shots through a nasty scrum. The suspensions tended to be stricter at that time, barely two seasons after the infamous Malice incident at the palace.
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The loss to the Clippers allowed Houston to drop the mark to 1-2, and Paul will also miss Wednesday's home encounter with Utah Jazz. However, Anthony insisted that Paul had kept a positive state of mind despite the ban, which exploded when Paul furiously accused Rondo of spitting on it.
"I spoke to (Chris) before the game, checking that he was good," added Anthony. "He was upbeat, nobody wants to be suspended. I think we all know how much he is a competitor and that here is missing this game against the Clippers after playing an important game last night. I'm sure he's disappointed. In life, things happen, you have to adapt. "
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