Suspending Boston Celtics Guard Rajon Rondo Would Be Black Eye on NBA Playoffs

The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 of their playoff series to the Atlanta Hawks, but it's what they could have potentially lost for Game 2 that could be devastating, and that's All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo.

Rondo could be facing suspension after bumping official Marc Davis with 41 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter in Sunday's loss.

While bumping an official usually calls for an automatic suspension, that may not necessarily be the case here with Rondo, and a suspension would cast a black eye over the playoffs already—especially after Game 1 in each series where we saw a few exciting moments that leads me to believe this could be a very exciting postseason.

Rondo definitely deserved the technical Davis hit him with after arguing a call on Brandon Bass.

Following the play, as Rondo was walking towards Davis, the official stopped and it appears as if Rondo's momentum took him into Davis. It's inexcusable for Rondo, but also seemed a bit unintentional.

Rondo's been known to have a temper and is sure to draw the ire of commissioner David Stern, but here's a case where maybe Stern should back off.

For a change Stern should allow the playoffs to be about the players and not about the dictator.

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers thinks he will have his floor leader in uniform for Game 2 in Atlanta, as he told the Associated Press, "I'm always worried, but I would be surprised if that happens. I thought Rondo was walking toward Marc, and Marc turned back toward him, and that's when Rondo bumped him. ... That's all it was, in my opinion. But we'll see."

Stern set the standard on intent by only suspending Lakers' forward Metta World Peace for seven games for the vicious elbow he threw at the head of Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden.

If that shot only earned seven games, a slight unintentional bump to a referee should probably go unpunished.

Given World Peace's slap on the wrist, a suspension to Rondo—or any other player, for that matter—for something this minor paints a black eye on the NBA playoffs. Quite frankly, it would appear as if Stern is showing favoritism to one team in the league and not the others.

My opinion on this issue would be totally different had Rondo pushed Davis with his hands or done something with more intent. Sure, he was seeking out the official, but it looked like he was simply arguing a call and the contact was inadvertent.

I'm all for dropping the hammer on players for crossing the line, but this doesn't appear to be one of those cases.

Any suspension casts a black eye on not only the NBA playoffs, but Stern as well.