Typically, low blows are given in boxing out of desperation, rarely is it given in mistake. Low blows are also given by females to males because they know that the area is the ultimate weak spot and can end arguments, disputes and fights in little time. However, the low blow is not a respectable strike and if someone delivers it, it better be backed up by a good reason if not it’s just wrong.
Team U.S.A. went up against a solid Argentinian squad on August 6 and won the game 126-97. Argentina put up a good fight in the first half going into the second half only trailing by one point. U.S.A. then went on a 42-17 run in the third quarter, opening a wound that Argentina never healed from.
In the final seconds of the third quarter Argentina guard Facundo Campazzo delivered a disgraceful low blow to Carmelo Anthony as he rose up and shot a three. Anthony made the three but was floored from the low blow.
Listen to this interesting recap of the situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnA4sI_bo4Y
In American basketball getting fouled is part of the game, even delivering hard fouls is something embedded in American style of play. I played ball in Spain for a couple of months and the difference between American style of play is very different than the European style of play. European style play has less contact and more passing, if contact was made the player would complain, where as in American ball it is common.
Getting back to the story, the low blow by Campazzo wasn’t acceptable contact, it was a cheap shot. I wouldn’t blame Anthony if he got to his feet and dropped Campazzo right where he stood. Campazzo didn’t apologize for the act and said that Chris Paul had hit him in the same manner earlier in the game and didn’t apologize. Maybe it showed some type of balls on Campazzo’s part but who knows what will happen if they meet again.
