What were the Warriors thinking?

They suspended Monta Ellis 30 games for his moped accident. Riding mopeds is banned in the player contract, but come on, 30 games without pay — and it is without pay — is about $3 million. That’s too much money. That’s harsh. And mostly that’s really stupid.

Last year the Lakers’ Vladimir Radmanovic separated his shoulder snow boarding. At first he lied just as Ellis lied. After five days he came clean. What did the Lakers do? They fined him 1/10 of his salary, $500,000. Radmanovic accepted the fine gratefully and there was no bad blood.

I do not believe Ellis will accept this fine gratefully. I believe the Warriors have entered dangerous ground. I believe there will be bad blood. They may lose their best player’s goodwill and I won’t be surprised if Ellis demands an arbitration.

Sure, the Warriors needed to fine Ellis — but nothing this harsh.

— Lowell