Aaron Brooks Video: Did He Deserve His NBA Suspension?

Phoenix Suns guard Aaron Brooks got hit with a one-game suspension after throwing the ball at an official in the fourth quarter of the Suns' 108-97 victory over Golden State on Friday night.

Brooks was driving to the lane and lost his footing, crashing to the ground. Frustrated by the refs travel call, Brooks tossed the ball at the ref with a bit of force to it.

The referee automatically called a technical foul and now, the NBA has suspended Brooks. This is the second time he has been suspended, with the first coming after he went to the locker room to pout in the middle of a game with the Rockets.

Brooks is averaging 8.3 points and 4.1 assists in his last 10 games with the Suns. It has been a disappointing season for last year's Most Improved Player recipient.

Should Brooks have thrown the ball like that?

Clearly, he was frustrated, and in the heat of the moment, I can understand why he threw the ball with a bit more mustard than normal.

But the NBA is very protective of their officials, and showing even the slightest bit of disrespect will set alarms off in David Stern's offices.

While I do think Brooks should be punished, a suspension is too harsh. Fine him $30,000 and he would get the message.

Brooks seemed apologetic right after his actions, and I think we can chalk up this altercation as nothing more than being a bit too aggressive in the heat of the moment.

This comes after the Lakers Andrew Bynum threw T-Wolves forward Michael Beasley on the ground and received a two-game ban.

Bynum's situation was much worse and should have received a suspension. He put the health of Beasley in danger and he is lucky there wasn't a serious injury because of his actions.

Throwing a ball a bit too hard at a ref isn't on the same level and I believe the NBA should have simply stuck to a fine with Brooks.