Jan 30, 2007 4:18 pm US/Central
Bryant Suspended For Striking Ginobili
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant
CBS
Kobe Bryant requested an "immediate hearing" with the NBA office to discuss the one-game suspension he was given earlier Tuesday for striking San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the face.
Bryant was to miss Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks, leaving the Lakers without their leading scorer when they opened an eight-game road trip.
However, since Bryant was already in New York, he was still hoping for a chance to play.
"I've been waiting to play here, it's always been a fun place for me to play here, and I'm surprised. Shocked, by it, actually," Bryant said. "I unintentionally caught Manu Ginobili. What do you say, it's a basketball game. You unintentionally catch people with elbows every once in a while."
Players association spokesman Dan Wasserman said a letter was sent on Bryant's behalf to the league office requesting the hearing, and that Bryant volunteered to review the videotape and talk to commissioner David Stern or the "appropriate league official."
"I'm blown away by it, I really am," Bryant said. "It just makes no sense."
Executive vice president of operations Stu Jackson is responsible for handing out the penalties for on-court actions.
"It's just unintentional," Bryant said. "I felt horrible about it. It's just basketball, it happens."
The incident occurred with 2.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 96-94 overtime loss to the Spurs on Sunday.
Bryant is averaging 28.4 points, 5.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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