Andrew Bynum Suspended Five Games For Hit On J.J. Barea

The punishment that we all knew was coming has finally been leveled by the NBA. On Tuesday, the league announced that Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum will be suspended for the first five games of next season for his late game cheap shot on Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea. In addition he was also fined $25,000 for removing his jersey before he left the floor.

Bynum should consider himself fortunate that the suspension wasn't longer. Even though Barea was able to walk away from the collision, the intent was purely malicious. 

It completes what was a total meltdown for the Lakers. Ron Artest was forced to sit for a game after clotheslining Barea earlier in the series. Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for "public comments about the officiating". Now the Bynum suspension and fine...it's going to be a long summer in Lakerland.