There isn’t anything particularly entertaining about this clip, but it’s what passes for drama in the NBA.  In last night’s Suns-Rockets game (Houston won 94-82), the Suns’ Matt Barnes took a cheap shot at Rafer Alston when his screen became more of a shove.  Alston charged Barnes, Steve Nash came into the fray, Nash was pushed to the floor by Tracy McGrady, then McGrady was pushed to the floor by Shaq.  No one is big enough to push Shaq to the floor, so that was pretty much that.  Barnes and Alston were ejected, seven techs were handed out, and the game continued.

A lot of people are crediting the coaches and refs for keeping this under control, but I’d like to think that the soothing influence of Ron Artest had something to do with it as well.

Elsewhere: Paul Pierce game-winner… Oden returns in win… Lakers 7-0.

Rockets point guard Rafer Alston was charged with felony assault yesterday following a fight at a Manhattan nightclub, his second run-in with the police this month.  A few weeks ago the man formerly known as street baller Skip to My Lou was charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication in Houston:

Alston was accused of grabbing a parking attendant's arm, shaking him and spitting on him after his vehicle was towed from a lot. The attendant said Alston parked illegally and didn't pay.

Possibly dissatisfied with the misdemeanor assault charge, he upgraded to felony assault when he allegedly slashed a man's throat with a knife at Club Stereo.  But it's not as bad as it sounds, I swear.

The 41-year-old [victim] went to a hospital to be treated for a minor neck injury, then filed a complaint at a police precinct.  Defense attorney Alberto Ebanks said bouncers and other witnesses told him the man didn't appear to be injured when he left the club and never bothered alerting police officers who were in the area.

I wish all these nobodies would stop making bullshit accusations against him just because he's a pro athlete.  Rafer wouldn't hurt a fly.  I mean, he was raised in Queens and went to college in Fresno.  That's the perfect recipe for a gentle spirit.