What did Kermit Washington do to Rudy Tomjanovich?
When Houston’s Rudy Tomjanovich tried to intervene, apparently as peacemaker, Washington whirled around and hit him flush in the face, breaking his nose and cutting him from the left nostril to the lip. “It was a damned sucker punch,” declared Nissalke.
Did Kermit Washington apologize to Rudy Tomjanovich?
Despite all that carnage, when we got him out in Beverly Hills, Rudy told us the brutal shot was water under the bridge and that he actually felt sorry for Washington — whom he forgave long ago.
Who hurt Rudy Tomjanovich?
Kermit Washington
During a game on December 9, 1977, Tomjanovich was punched by Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers after Tomjanovich ran to stop a fight at center court. The blow shattered Tomjanovich’s face and inflicted life-threatening head and spinal injuries, leaving him sidelined for five months.
Has an NBA player ever punched a ref?
In 2010, Paul Pierce accidentally punched referee Eddie Rush in the face after getting fouled on a layup. In 2003, Mark Cuban attacked a fake referee as an April Fool’s prank. Also in 2003, Carlos Boozer accidentally punched the wrong ball on the court, unfortunately for referee Danny Crawford.
What happens if you throw a punch in the NBA?
Any player who throws a punch, whether it connects or not, has committed an unsportsmanlike act. He will be ejected following confirmation during review by instant replay and suspended for a minimum of one game. This rule applies whether play is in progress or the ball is dead.
Who broke Tomjanovich jaw?
Washington is best remembered for punching opposing player Rudy Tomjanovich during an on-court fight in 1977. Washington was not a highly-coveted player coming out of high school. He averaged four points per game during his senior season at Coolidge Senior High School.
Is Rudy Tomjanovich in the Hall of Fame?
Legendary Rockets player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
What happens if you throw a punch in NBA?
Can you catch your own airball in the NBA?
Catching your own airball is allowed if it was a legitimate shot unless you’re playing your pickup game according to NBA rules, which makes you a douchebag. The top and side of the backboard is not out of bounds, only the back-facing plane of the backboard is. Step-throughs are not traveling.
What was going on between Rudy T and Tomjanovich?
Washington has been singing the same song for years: He thought Rudy T was flying in to punch him. Tomjanovich, for his part, says he was arriving to break up the fight. Whatever the case, Washington hit Tomjanovich with a haymaker that would have been the envy of any prizefighter.
What did Tomjanovich do to Kermit Kunnert?
I saw Kermit turn and plant himself.” Tomjanovich was attempting to intervene on behalf of Kunnert, who was fighting with Washington. His eyes were on his fallen teammate as he came running across the court–headlong into Washington’s fist. “When I woke up, I remember Jerry West was staring at me with shock on his face,” Tomjanovich said.
Why did Rudy Tomjanovich enter the arena right at full speed?
It was at this point that Rudy Tomjanovich entered stage right at full speed. Washington has been singing the same song for years: He thought Rudy T was flying in to punch him. Tomjanovich, for his part, says he was arriving to break up the fight.
What happened to Rudy Tomjanovich nose?
He lost consciousness when the punch shattered the left side of his face. When he opened his eyes a few minutes later, he had to ask someone what had happened. As Rudy Tomjanovich was being helped off the court, he realized his nose was broken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq-7ge0oiik