KERMIT WASHINGTON???????

[mister friendly]

I was watching ESPN and they  were talking about Metta World Peace's elbow on James Harden and they brought upthe Rudy Tomjanovich vs Kermit Washington punch. I had heard of the punch before I had never seen it, so curious, I go on Youtube and find a piece on the punch.

I was shocked to see how vilfied this incident has become relative to what happened. I had always heard it was a sucker punch, like that Kermit Washington had ran down the court and just blindslide Tomjanovich. But after watching the video, thats clearly not the case, Tomjanovich was running straight towards Washington, obviouslyWashington couldvetried to dodge him but fights in the NBA were very prevalent back then, they were actually pretty prevalent til the Malace in the Palace( How many clips do we have of Bird, Dr J,Kobe, Laimbeer, Shaq etc, etc throwing punches). I don't see anything really crazy about the video except that he just actually connected on his punch.

 

[night marcher01]

You don't see anything crazy, but a connect?

Son... A connect is all it takes to kill a man. Did you see how hard Rudy fell down? "Connections" like that can kill.

Have you ever been in a fight before? You would know that it's not about how fast or hard the punch is... It's all about connection. And in that case, it's all 3! Actually it's 4... Speed, Power, Connection AND Rudy didn't see it coming.

 

[blazers21ntnp]

I'm pretty sure it's well known Tomjanvich was sprinting towards Washington, and Kermit saw him out the corner of his eye, turned and decked him.

"The punch" is so vilified because it shattered Rudy's face & jaw, and caused life threatening head injuries. I think I remember reading the surgeon who worked on Rudy saying that putting his face back together was like doing a jigsaw puzzle.

 

[mister friendly]

That's my point...it just connected. His punch looked it had no more malacious intent then so many other NBA punches thrown. And it definitely wasn't a suckerpunch like its been described, he was running straight towards Washington.And I've been in enough fights to know not to come sprinting into a brawl without at least getting my fists ready

 

[sea man]

agree with your point, just like i have been telling people MWP's elbow is not the first high elbow thrown in the nba, but just because his connected it makes him a worse person than any one else who has ever thrown a high elbow?

 

[equality]

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

That's my point...it just connected. His punch looked it had no more malacious intent then so many other NBA punches thrown. And it definitely wasn't a suckerpunch like its been described, he was running straight towards Washington.And I've been in enough fights to know not to come sprinting into a brawl without at least getting my fists ready

You are so cool. I wish I could be just like you!

 

[night marcher01]

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

That's my point...it just connected. His punch looked it had no more malacious intent then so many other NBA punches thrown. And it definitely wasn't a suckerpunch like its been described, he was running straight towards Washington.And I've been in enough fights to know not to come sprinting into a brawl without at least getting my fists ready

Ahhh... Yeah I see what you're saying.

I also don't agree with ESPN comparing that punch to Artest's elbow.

 

[dmxfury]

I didn't think it was 'known' as a sucker punch, but just a punch that absolutely rocked Rudy and caused major injury...

 

[Smorgasbordgie]

That was a vicious shot. Tomjanovich said he could taste his spinal fluid from the severity of the skull fracture. Ruthless

 

[seymore cake]

Originally Posted by Night Marcher01

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

That's my point...it just connected. His punch looked it had no more malacious intent then so many other NBA punches thrown. And it definitely wasn't a suckerpunch like its been described, he was running straight towards Washington. And I've been in enough fights to know not to come sprinting into a brawl without at least getting my fists ready

Ahhh... Yeah I see what you're saying.

I also don't agree with ESPN comparing that punch to Artest's elbow.

They over sensationalize EVERYTHING

The fact that he was Blackballed for defending himself is what disgust me.

And Yes I Meant DEFENDING Himself. you get into a fight and its broken up only to see one of his friends out of the corner of your eye sprinting in your direction, you reaction at that point is to defend yourself.  Simple & Plain.

 

[rolaholic]

Originally Posted by Seymore CAKE

Originally Posted by Night Marcher01

Originally Posted by Mister Friendly

That's my point...it just connected. His punch looked it had no more malacious intent then so many other NBA punches thrown. And it definitely wasn't a suckerpunch like its been described, he was running straight towards Washington. And I've been in enough fights to know not to come sprinting into a brawl without at least getting my fists ready

Ahhh... Yeah I see what you're saying.

I also don't agree with ESPN comparing that punch to Artest's elbow.

They over sensationalize EVERYTHING

The fact that he was Blackballed for defending himself is what disgust me.

And Yes I Meant DEFENDING Himself. you get into a fight and its broken up only to see one of his friends out of the corner of your eye sprinting in your direction, you reaction at that point is to defend yourself.  Simple & Plain.

Thing is [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tomjanovich,who was always known as a peacemaker around the league, [/font]was running towards the fight to break it up only to get a vicious roundhouse punch straight to the face that almost killed him. Hard seeing how he was defending himself when Tomjanovich hadn't even touched him.

 

[dmxfury]

Just unfortunate chain of events really, a lot of bad things came together in the 'right' way. Loved Rudy as a coach

 

[seymore cake]

Rolaholic wrote:

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Seymore CAKE wrote:

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Originally Posted by Night Marcher01




Ahhh... Yeah I see what you're saying.

I also don't agree with ESPN comparing that punch to Artest's elbow.

They over sensationalize EVERYTHING

The fact that he was Blackballed for defending himself is what disgust me.

And Yes I Meant DEFENDING Himself. you get into a fight and its broken up only to see one of his friends out of the corner of your eye sprinting in your direction, you reaction at that point is to defend yourself.  Simple & Plain.
Thing is [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tomjanovich[/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font],who was always known as a peacemaker around the league, [/font]was running towards the fight to break it up only to get a vicious roundhouse punch straight to the face that almost killed him. Hard seeing how he was defending himself when  Tomjanovich hadn't even touched him.




So you're telling me that you get into a fight with someone, your guy jumps in it to split it up and out of the corner of your eye you see his guy flying towards you you're rationally expecting him to be coming to talk to you?

I'm sorry but anyone whose been in a fight knows that it doesn't work that way.  You have about a second in a half in Kermits situation to process that situation and 98.5% of the time waiting to see what that person is going to do is not a thought that pops into your head. Regardless of what that persons reputation is. 

Think about the fact that people swing on police when they come to break up fights all the time. Its not necessarily because they want to fight the police, although you do have those idiots. Majority of the time its because someone is approaching them in an aggressive manner during a hostile situation.  That could've been John Lucas, Calvin Murphy, or any other person and that would've happened. The adrenaline kicks in and you're just going off instinct, fight or flee.

 

[wraith aka invincible]

Originally Posted by Seymore CAKE

Rolaholic wrote:

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Seymore CAKE wrote:

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They over sensationalize EVERYTHING

The fact that he was Blackballed for defending himself is what disgust me.

And Yes I Meant DEFENDING Himself. you get into a fight and its broken up only to see one of his friends out of the corner of your eye sprinting in your direction, you reaction at that point is to defend yourself.  Simple & Plain.

Thing is [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tomjanovich[/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font],who was always known as a peacemaker around the league, [/font]was running towards the fight to break it up only to get a vicious roundhouse punch straight to the face that almost killed him. Hard seeing how he was defending himself when  Tomjanovich hadn't even touched him.




So you're telling me that you get into a fight with someone, your guy jumps in it to split it up and out of the corner of your eye you see his guy flying towards you you're rationally expecting him to be coming to talk to you?

I'm sorry but anyone whose been in a fight knows that it doesn't work that way.  You have about a second in a half in Kermits situation to process that situation and 98.5% of the time waiting to see what that person is going to do is not a thought that pops into your head. Regardless of what that persons reputation is. 

Think about the fact that people swing on police when they come to break up fights all the time. Its not necessarily because they want to fight the police, although you do have those idiots. Majority of the time its because someone is approaching them in an aggressive manner during a hostile situation.  That could've been John Lucas, Calvin Murphy, or any other person and that would've happened. The adrenaline kicks in and you're just going off instinct, fight or flee.
yup the main thing was the amount of damage was inflicted on the punch. washington's fault is blown out of proportion                                                                                              

 

[scarsorscabs]

Originally Posted by Seymore CAKE

Rolaholic wrote:

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Seymore CAKE wrote:

---

They over sensationalize EVERYTHING

The fact that he was Blackballed for defending himself is what disgust me.

And Yes I Meant DEFENDING Himself. you get into a fight and its broken up only to see one of his friends out of the corner of your eye sprinting in your direction, you reaction at that point is to defend yourself.  Simple & Plain.

Thing is [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tomjanovich[/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font],who was always known as a peacemaker around the league, [/font]was running towards the fight to break it up only to get a vicious roundhouse punch straight to the face that almost killed him. Hard seeing how he was defending himself when  Tomjanovich hadn't even touched him.




So you're telling me that you get into a fight with someone, your guy jumps in it to split it up and out of the corner of your eye you see his guy flying towards you you're rationally expecting him to be coming to talk to you?

I'm sorry but anyone whose been in a fight knows that it doesn't work that way.  You have about a second in a half in Kermits situation to process that situation and 98.5% of the time waiting to see what that person is going to do is not a thought that pops into your head. Regardless of what that persons reputation is. 

Think about the fact that people swing on police when they come to break up fights all the time. Its not necessarily because they want to fight the police, although you do have those idiots. Majority of the time its because someone is approaching them in an aggressive manner during a hostile situation.  That could've been John Lucas, Calvin Murphy, or any other person and that would've happened. The adrenaline kicks in and you're just going off instinct, fight or flee.
Yeah, but is that even Kermit defending himself or being the aggressor?  I haven't seen it talked about as blindsiding him or as a sucker punch like OP said but just a brutal shot that connected. 

 

[nako xl]

^ For a long time it was called a sucker punch. It still is in some circles, just with youtube the footage is so wide spread now that it isn't just people going off memory or what they heard about the fight anymore, so there's less of the "Kermit stepped up and decked him, unprovoked, when he didn't even expect it."

It definitely was being called a cheap shot for the longest though.

 

[|A-Man|]

Since we're talking about ppl running up on ppl, I know it's not the same thing but I've been meaning to ask why was Harden even drifting towards Ron in the first place. They say he was going to get the inbounds but there's a clear path to that that does not involve coming anywhere near Ron. As many times as I've seen the replay I figure James was planning to bump/shove Ron a bit as he celebrated since he was bracing for contact and just didn't expect an elbow to the face.

As for the punch. It's clear why it's so bad. Rudy was laying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. He should not be running up on the main guy in the previous altercation. Shh happens. If he was coming to protect his teammate he should've ran wide around Kermit. It's human nature to quickly react when someone runs up on you like that especially when you choose fight in a fight or flight situation.

 

[mister friendly]

Originally Posted by ATGD7154xBBxMZ

Since we're talking about ppl running up on ppl, I know it's not the same thing but I've been meaning to ask why was Harden even drifting towards Ron in the first place. They say he was going to get the inbounds but there's a clear path to that that does not involve coming anywhere near Ron. As many times as I've seen the replay I figure James was planning to bump/shove Ron a bit as he celebrated since he was bracing for contact and just didn't expect an elbow to the face.

As for the punch. It's clear why it's so bad. Rudy was laying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. He should not be running up on the main guy in the previous altercation. Shh happens. If he was coming to protect his teammate he should've ran wide around Kermit. It's human nature to quickly react when someone runs up on you like that especially when you choose fight in a fight or flight situation.

Yeah Harden was definitely trying to get an "cheap" foul on World Peace but it was a Basketball play, I don't think a guy should expect a elbow to the head for doing that. I think that was more of suckerpunch then the Washington one, I think Rudy's case, he shouldve expected some sort of confrontation but his incident was far more brutal though