Six ejected, including Brittney Griner, as fight breaks out between Mercury and Wings

[Alydar]

violent nature? I would strongly object to that... she has been playing how many years? and had how many "fights"? Anigwe has got her own reputation for playing "rough". players (and coaches) have been targeting Griner for her whole career. Ask Shaq or Walton or Kareem or Wilt what that is like and I would not say any had a violent nature. I would say on the whole Griner has been pretty controlled.

Anigwe knew exactly what she was doing ... see how fast she ran away.

Absolutely. Griner's problem is that she doesn't know how to retaliate and make it look within the play like others. But like her incident in college, a close view from several angles of the 10 minutes or so of play prior to when the video starts would likely show that Anigwe is no innocent. And for as long as I can remember, shorter players have been allowed to rough up taller players.

 

[azfan]

From 2010 deadspin

Deadspin | What Are We To Do With Brittney Griner?

Deadspin | What Are We To Do With Brittney Griner?

deadspin.com

Even though Griner is basically Lambert and Blount rolled into, will she get off any easier than both of them? Will people come down even harder, because she's meant to be the next face of women's hoops? Are basketball fights just more accepted than they are in other sports? Am I just throwing out unanswerable questions, because I can't decide if Griner is the worst person in America or just a kid with lousy temper? I'm sure plenty of people will have an answer for me before this week is over. (Or will they?)

 

[willtalk]

Anigwe did start it. I wouldn't say it was with a punch though. More of a downward slap. They should not have restained Griner and just waited to see how long it would have taken Griner to catch Anigwe. More than likely she would have just gotten tired and quit.

One thing about Griner is that she needs to learn to channel her anger into her game rather than responses against players after the play is over. It seems like she just does not know how to do that. I mean if she learned to use anger to motivate and elevate her effort she would be a real handful. As people have said- she plays timid in games, but blows up after the play is over. The really great players you just do not want to get them angry because they will make you pay on the court/field. etc.

Anigwe is a real weasel. Slaps Griner and instantly runs off. Perhaps that is why Agler traded for her. He could use her to get valuable opposing players kicked out of games.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Anigwe is a real weasel. Slaps Griner and instantly runs off. Perhaps that is why Agler traded for her. He could use her to get valuable opposing players kicked out of games.

I did find this quote striking from the CT Sun coach after the trade:

Theresa gives us an experienced, young veteran presence who has a tremendous reputation across the league as a fantastic teammate and unifier in the locker room," Sun coach and general manager Curt Miller said in a statement.

As opposed to the player you just traded her for?

 

[JordyG]

Thanks for the video. I was at the game. Quite a commotion, but of course they didn't show the replay in the arena. So we in the live audience knew less about how it started than anyone else. I was wondering at the time if Glory was involved.

After watching a few times it looks like Anigwe did start it. That doesn't excuse Griner's retaliation, but Anigwe deserved it. Funny to see her running away so fast - kinda like an Egyptian tank (old joke from the Egypt-Israeli war in the late 1960's. Q: "How many gears does an Egyptian tank have?" A: "5 - 1 forward and 4 reverse.") She'll be looking over her shoulder next time they play, which is sorta the point of Griner standing up for herself. Maybe it's a good thing they don't play again this year.

She can run, but she can't hide. This is clearly, to me, a heat of the moment thing that ain't no thing. That doesn't mean that Griner will forget that cheap shot. But hey, I remember when Carmelo waited for Garnett in the hallway after the game when Garnett said to him, "Your wife tastes like Honey Nut Cheerio's". I remember when Metta World Peace (such an apt name) went into the stands and laid waste to an entire section of bystanders, some still sipping on their beverages. This event ain't spit. If y'all can't take a little occasional shoulder rubbing like Griner and Anigwe did then go watch a knitting circle. This is these women's livelihoods, and they take this stuff seriously, as they should. If there's one thing that will get the fans and media lit it's a real rivalry.

 

[kat0189]

I'm frustrated and disappointed that this is the biggest impact Kristine has had on a game so far.

While it's honestly confusing to me in watching the video exactly what transpired and certainly how it exploded into such a fracas, I'm starting to think maybe some of the other Cal fans who questioned Kristine during her junior year slump might've been onto something (while I mostly defended her and gave her the benefit of the doubt).

Kristine did not develop a ton while at Cal (recall she was National Freshman of the Year). She should be studying other posts in the league not scrapping with them.

 

[Trappa]

Interesting!

“Today I went on the court to make sure my teammate didn’t get jumped,” Taurasi said. “(Griner) got punched in the face and then someone ran on her back and threw punches at her face. I would do that 100 times out of 100 times.”

 

[lne001]

The really great players you just do not want to get them angry because they will make you pay on the court/field. etc.

For some reason this clip came to mind.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Scuffles are one thing, throwing punches and domestic violence charges are another animal.

 

[Shades]

Thornton was trying to jump it.

 

[CL82]

Griner's infamous punch at Baylor

Brittney Griner Punch Video: Why Her Haymaker Could Cost Baylor

Baylor freshman forward Brittney Griner made headlines earlier this season for her two-dunk performance against Texas State. The 6'8" star of the No...

bleacherreport.com

With one swing of her arm, Griner altered her public perception and her team's future. Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey vowed to deal with Griner behind the scenes.

There's no place for that in sports. I will deal with Brittney Griner, and it won't be discussed in the media," Mulkey told the media after the game.

I remember when watching the game I was reminded of the Rudy Tomjanovich sucker punch.

The Punch : Tomjanovich and Washington Both Still Feel the Pain From That Terrible Moment

He saw nothing and felt nothing.

www.latimes.com

Barncastle did everything but harvest Griner's kidneys in that game. I'm not a BG fan, but her getting a bad rep from that game isn't fair. FWIW, the real villians in that game were the refs for letting all the extra curricular stuff go on for so long. I get it Griner is huge for a WBB player (and especially in college) but that shouldn't mean that she can fouled without having them called.

 

[CajunHusky]

Barncastle did everything but harvest Griner's kidneys in that game. I'm not a BG fan, but she gets a bad wrap. FWIW, the really villians in that game were the refs for letting all the extra curricular stuff go on for so long. I get it Griner is huge for a WBB player (and especially in college) but that shouldn't mean that she can fouled without having them called.

Remember "hack a shaq"

Shaquille O'Neal left college after his Junior year because he was being assaulted on the court. He risked being seriously injured maybe even career ending if he stayed in college.

 

[CL82]

Remember "hack a shaq"

Shaquille O'Neal left college after his Junior year because he was being assaulted on the court. He risked being seriously injured maybe even career ending if he stayed in college.

I do but the Barncastle game was worse in a lot of ways. It was as if she get escalating to see what she could get away with. The answer was pretty much anything.

 

[JordyG]

For some reason this clip came to mind.

As Steven A, Smith says, these days if you pass gas near a player it's a foul.

 

[cookie447]

Please, how about major credit to LeIlani Mitchell? The diminutive one was quick to restrain Griner and be the peacekeeper. BRAVA!!!

 

[CajunHusky]

Please, how about major credit to LeIlani Mitchell? The diminutive one was quick to restrain Griner and be the peacekeeper. BRAVA!!!

or AO running in but staying at least 10 feet away pointing for the ref to see. reminds me of the belligerent yelling "let me at them" but holding a third party in between.

 

[Mlb0814]

violent nature? I would strongly object to that... she has been playing how many years? and had how many "fights"? Anigwe has got her own reputation for playing "rough". players (and coaches) have been targeting Griner for her whole career. Ask Shaq or Walton or Kareem or Wilt what that is like and I would not say any had a violent nature. I would say on the whole Griner has been pretty controlled.

Anigwe knew exactly what she was doing ... see how fast she ran away.

Makes me want to rewatch the Cal game with UConn from last season. I know she was held to ten points but did Anigwe play dirty? Can’t remember.

 

[Reypl21]

or AO running in but staying at least 10 feet away pointing for the ref to see. reminds me of the belligerent yelling "let me at them" but holding a third party in between.

You're reaching hard. Just about every player other than Anigwe's, Griner's, and Thorton's actions were seemingly normal considering the situation. Those situations don't occur often, but maybe both teams should start getting used to it.

AO didn't look like she wanted to fight, so I don't get the "Let me at them" nonsense you saw. She moved with the crowd, ready to hold back Griner or whatever player from her team might get involved. Thorton was the one was more "Let me at them" after both parties were separated.

Taurasi literally ran past Mitchell and Griner, to go and shove and get in the faces of the other players. It wasn't malicious, but her actions were not appropriate.. so her getting kicked out was well warranted.

 

[CL82]

You're reaching hard. Just about every player other than Anigwe's, Griner's, and Thorton's actions were seemingly normal considering the situation. Those situations don't occur often, but maybe both teams should start getting used to it.

AO didn't look like she wanted to fight, so I don't get the "Let me at them" nonsense you saw. She moved with the crowd, ready to hold back Griner or whatever player from her team might get involved. Thorton was the one was more "Let me at them" after both parties were separated.

Taurasi literally ran past Mitchell and Griner, to go and shove and get in the faces of the other players. It wasn't malicious, but her actions were not appropriate.. so her getting kicked out was well warranted.

Who'd Taurasi shove? The video I saw just had her standing around.

 

[j66kicker]

New from Griner: Basically saying if she gets a longer suspension than Anigwe and Thornton then she may not be back to the WNBA. Says the league doesn't protect its players, constantly getting beat up, and pointing it out to the refs, nothing. Says if she didn't love the Mercury so much she'd already be long gone, doesn't make any money doing this, so why put up with it, etc.

Brittney Griner: WNBA response to brawl could impact her future in league

The 28-year-old has options including playing solely in Russia and for the USA Basketball national team for major international events.

www.azcentral.com

 

[eebmg]

Makes me want to rewatch the Cal game with UConn from last season. I know she was held to ten points but did Anigwe play dirty? Can’t remember.

To be honest, I do not recall Anigwe having any reputation like that in college or anything happening in the Cal game. I think Geno was very complementary of Anigwe and we know he has an affection for Gottlieb.

I think it is just the pressure of surviving in the WNBA without refined offensive skills.

 

[Plebe]

New from Griner: Basically saying if she gets a longer suspension than Anigwe and Thornton then she may not be back to the WNBA. Says the league doesn't protect its players, constantly getting beat up, and pointing it out to the refs, nothing. Says if she didn't love the Mercury so much she'd already be long gone, doesn't make any money doing this, so why put up with it, etc.

Brittney Griner: WNBA response to brawl could impact her future in league

The 28-year-old has options including playing solely in Russia and for the USA Basketball national team for major international events.

www.azcentral.com

Whoa. Some pretty strong words by Griner. "Bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for her."

She talks about how she and Anigwe had previous issues this year when she was still with the Sun.

"I understand you're a rookie trying to come in and be physical," Griner said. "I'm cool with people that play physical. Me and Syl (Sylvia Fowles) play physical against each other. Me and Liz (Cambage) play physical against each other. But it never escalates. Like we don't throw cheap shots at each other. I might catch an elbow in the rib when Syl is posting up, but I know it's not malicious.​

​

"With (Anigwe), I don't know. She just does way too much. I don't know if she's trying to make a name for herself in the league because she definitely made a name as a runner like run for it. That's the only name she has now."​

She also thinks Thorton should get the longest suspension because she jumped into a fight that didn't involve her in the first place.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Anigwe had a slight dip in her production during her Jr. year at Cal, and I seem to recall noting a bit of dirty or questionable play from her that season. Otherwise I don't recall her being that type of player.

 

[Carnac]

WNBA looking into Phoenix-Dallas fight, ejections

"We're looking at all the video and talking to all the folks. We have people on planes today. We're all here. We're on it," Engelbert said.

The league carries a minimum one-game suspension if a player attempts to throw a punch or if a player leaves the bench area during an altercation.

[Story]

 

[Carnac]

New from Griner: Basically saying if she gets a longer suspension than Anigwe and Thornton then she may not be back to the WNBA. Says the league doesn't protect its players, constantly getting beat up, and pointing it out to the refs, nothing. Says if she didn't love the Mercury so much she'd already be long gone, doesn't make any money doing this, so why put up with it, etc.

Brittney Griner: WNBA response to brawl could impact her future in league

The 28-year-old has options including playing solely in Russia and for the USA Basketball national team for major international events.

www.azcentral.com

"I'm not doing it for the money because we don't make enough and they want to fine me for every little thing," Griner said. "I'm getting techs for protecting myself in games and flagrants because they always only see me. They never see anything beforehand. I'm basically not getting paid this summer already (due to fines)."

Although that's an exaggeration, Griner, WNBA scoring leader, six-time All-Star and league MVP contender, is making close to the league maximum $115,000 with the Mercury this season. She makes a seven-figure salary with her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA's offseason."

There may be some truth to this. Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces) says the exact same thing: "They never see anything before hand". If you saw her half time interview with Holly Rowe Sunday vs the Sun, you heard her express angst and discuss at the calls going against her this year, and the NON calls shes not getting. In an earlier interview, she called the refs "cowards". Like Griner, she's pissed!!

nwhoopfan said:
Wow, Cambage letting the league know what she thinks about the way smaller players are allowed to defend big post players. I don't know how the WNBA responds, that would be an automatic fine in the NBA. Responding to the incident w/ Griner last night, as well as her own experiences game to game.

 

[Reypl21]

Who'd Taurasi shove? The video I saw just had her standing around.

Shove is a strong word to use, considering punches were thrown.

She did "shove/interact" with Harrison, Davis, and Ogunbowale. All of whom weren't that close to the action at the time they were "shoved." Her hand gestures and contact were basically conveying the message to back away. Which is what I think every player at that point was all for.
Her getting ejected was the same reason Davis and January for ejected, for leaving the bench. I don't see her pov, where she thought Griner was getting jumped. But it happens so fast, so I'll give her some slack because we all get to watch and judge after multiple times.

 

[Plebe]

As I rewatch the play more carefully, I actually agree with Griner. She was really just standing there, not even pursuing physical contact at the moment the ball goes through the basket. Suddenly, with no apparent provocation, Anigwe yanks her arm hard and then swings at her face (and then runs away). Griner will be suspended at least a game because she pursued and took a swing, but I agree that Anigwe should be suspended longer because she was the initiator. Thornton should be suspended as well.

 

[UConnCat]

As I rewatch the play more carefully, I actually agree with Griner. She was really just standing there, not even pursuing physical contact at the moment the ball goes through the basket. Suddenly, with no apparent provocation, Anigwe yanks her arm hard and then swings at her face (and then runs away). Griner will be suspended at least a game because she pursued and took a swing, but I agree that Anigwe should be suspended longer because she was the initiator. Thornton should be suspended as well.

Looked like Griner tried to box-out Anigwe which in and of itself is news. Griner's extended arm caught Anigwe in the neck. Once the shot goes in, Griner turns to run back and Anigwe pulled at her arm and chops down on her head.

 

[Plebe]

Looked like Griner tried to box-out Anigwe which in and of itself is news. Griner's extended arm caught Anigwe in the neck. Once the shot goes in, Griner turns to run back and Anigwe pulled at her arm and chops down on her head.

Leave it to DTB to settle this one for us. She's on my all-star team.

 

[Plebe]

More from Taurasi on the reffing: