Bynum Receives Suspension for Hard Hit in Lakers-Mavericks Game 4

Andrew Bynum has been suspended for five games by the NBA. This suspension is the final result of a flagrant foul Bynum committed on J.J. Barea during Game 4 of the Lakers-Mavs series. It seemed like action from the league was going to come along eventually, and the NBA really showed it was not taking the incident lightly.

ESPN reported that not only was Bynum suspended, but he was fined $25,000 for "removing his jersey and the manner in which he left the court." All of his actions were pretty immature for a basketball player, and the league is merely stating that his behavior was flat out unacceptable. Showing no remorse immediately after the game probably played into this punishment as well.

ESPN noted that Bynum's hit on Barea wasn't even the first time the Laker had done something like this; he also hit Minnesota's Michael Beasley in a similar fashion back in March. That too could have played into the league's decision to give such a hefty suspension.

The whole reaction from the NBA came from a play that happened in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. With around eight minutes left in a game where the Lakers were getting completely blown out, Barea made a drive on the basket where it looked like he would have an easy layup. That was not the case, though, as Bynum gave him a hard forearm to the chest that sent the little guard to the floor. Bynum was assessed a flagrant foul on the spot and immediately got tossed from the game.

These types of plays aren't commonplace in the NBA anymore, and when they do occur everyone takes notice. Bynum knows what he did was wrong, and that came out in the apology he gave Tuesday. Maybe when he takes the hit to his paycheck, it will really hit home that he needs to rectify his behavior on the court.

The suspension for Bynum will consist of the first five games in the 2011-12 NBA season -- whenever it actually begins after the impending lockout. He will lose $702,272 due to the suspension and fine, which could be a good incentive for him to never make a hit like this again.

There are questions about whether Bynum will be with the Los Angeles Lakers for much longer, especially with the rumors surrounding Dwight Howard and the end of his contract with the Orlando Magic. Whether something tangible actually happens there won't be settled anytime soon, but it will likely remain one of the most active offseason rumors.