"MO-PED" Monta Ellis gets 30 game suspension

The Golden State Warriors took their time to punish Monta Ellis for an offseason moped accident but when they did they swung like a hammer:  30 games without pay, which is a bite when you’re in the first year of a 6 year, $66 million contract.  All told, the error in judgment will cost Ellis $3 million.

Ellis underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a torn ankle ligament.  He originally told team officials that he suffered the injury in a pickup basketball game.  After team physicians began to question the severity and nature of the injury, Ellis relented and admitted that it occurred in what has been described as a “low speed moped accident”.

The problem is that riding motorized cycles—even the lowly moped—is a prohibited activity in most NBA contracts, including Ellis’.  Compounding the team’s anger was the investment they just made in their talented shooting guard, along with the fact that he initially tried to cover up his malfeasance with a lie.

The Warriors counted four preseason games Ellis will miss in the suspension, meaning he’ll be able to return after Golden State’s 26 regular season game.  He’ll make his 2008-2009 debut against Indiana on December 17th. 

When nothing occurred immediately after the incident came to light, and following some conciliatory comments by GM Chris Mullen, there was some talk that Ellis might escape penalty.  Team President Robert Rowell overruled Mullen and levied the punishment:

“From this point forward, it is the complete focus of everyone involved to provide Monta with all the support he needs to have a successful rehabilitation, and to get him back on the court as an integral part of this team."

Ellis was the Warriors 2nd leading scorer a year ago averaging 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.