Jamaal Magloire awaiting word on possible suspension
By Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun Sentinel
5:49 p.m. CDT, October 6, 2009
ORLANDO - The NBA said Tuesday that Monday's skirmish between Miami Heat center Jamaal Magloire and Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko is under review, with Magloire facing a possible suspension from the Heat's Oct. 28 season opener against the visiting Knicks.
Should the video sent to the league conclusively show that Magloire threw a punch, he would face what he said would be only his second career suspension. He was suspended while with the Hornets in the 2002 playoffs for a flagrant foul against Tracy McGrady, who was playing for the Magic at the time.
"Whatever happened, it was just in the heat of the moment. Anything I did, it was unintentional," he said of the battle for a rebound with 5:04 left in the Heat's 87-83 loss in Detroit. "I was going for the loose ball and it happened so fast that I really didn't think anybody hit anybody."
Jerebko contended otherwise.
"He got me on the nose, and I got him back," the rookie out of Sweden said.
Under NBA rules, any suspension incurred during the preseason is served at the start of the regular season, with the corresponding loss of salary. League rules call for a suspension of at least one game for a punch, whether or not it lands.
"I've been playing now in the NBA for 10 years," said Magloire, who will be available for Wednesday's exhibition against the Magic. "I've never been accused of throwing a punch, or have I ever thrown a punch. I've found other ways to get my point across."
Wade's perspectiveGuard Dwyane Wade offered a somewhat telling perspective when asked about his team's uneven play in the loss to the Pistons. "We can't have two or three guys struggling at once," he said. "We're just not that fortunate to have what other teams have."
In that loss, center Jermaine O'Neal grabbed just one rebound in 21:22 of action, rekindling memories of similar struggles last season. "Obviously one rebound in 22 minutes is something we talked about and I thought about," he said, having spent the offseason strengthening his legs to avoid such totals
Guard Daequan Cook injured his right thumb during Tuesday's practice at Amway Arena. Although he said he just banged it, the angle it was bent back could stand as something more severe
Forward Dorell Wright, who is being monitored due to knee swelling did not practice after going scoreless in 20 minutes before fouling out of Monday's loss.
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