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Darren Collison Got Off Easy on Domestic Violence Suspension

By Tyler Watts

Dec 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Darren Collison received an 8 game suspension for domestic violence recently.  This article examines that punishment and how the Kings manage going forward.

This summer Darren Collison pled guilty to a domestic violence charge and he just received an 8 game suspension from the NBA.  Below is a video from CBS Sacramento detailing the arrest if you care to hear more about that.

Now, let us examine the suspension and how the Kings will cope in the interim.

My Take

Last month I wrote this article detailing suspensions handed down by other major professional sports organizations and making assumptions about how long Collison would be suspended.  I will say I was way off base on this suspension and I think the NBA really missed the boat.

An 8 game suspension is roughly 9.75% of the season.  That is well below the precedents set by other leagues.  I believe Collison got off easy and the NBA did not make a big stand with this suspension.

In my opinion, it is hard to know the facts of any situation unless you were present for it, but it seems like Collison did something wrong, admitted to it in court, and pled guilty.  The NBA had it teed up only to hit a dribbler to first (sorry for the baseball reference, but I couldn’t think of something in basketball that fit as well).  In my opinion, Collison got off with a very light suspension, but his on-court statistics and his wallet thank the league for their generosity I am sure.

Ramifications for Kings

Collison will miss the first 8 regular season games leaving the Kings light at the point guard position.  They have two veterans and a rookie to fill the void.  I suspect Lawson will start and get all the minutes he can handle.  Then, Farmar comes in for about 15 minutes.  That leaves Isaiah Cousins the table scraps that remain.

Ty Lawson’s chance to start and run away with the job is only 8 games.  The schedule is not kind to the Kings over those 8 games.  It features 6 road games and 2 sets of back-to-backs.  Lawson will have his work cut out for him, but expect over 30 minutes a night and the chance to run with the job if he performs well.

Next: Sacramento Kings: Plan to Play This Season?

Summary

Darren Collison is suspended for the opening 8 games of the season.  The punishment was a little too light in my opinion, but the NBA-mandated it and seems satisfied.  I look for the Kings to play Ty Lawson and Jordan Farmar at the point during Collison’s absence.  Expect big minutes for Lawson early on.  If big production follows do not be surprised if he sticks as the starter all season.  That is all just my opinion, we will see it all settled in the court later this month and early next.

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