Blake Griffin and the Clippers' history of lunacy

It is both fascinating and fitting that the Blake Griffin case falls at the feet of the Clippers.

Fascinating, because Griffin should face stiff punishments that weigh the complex nature of the incident … and because his teammate, Chris Paul, is the president of the players' union, which would lead any appeal on Griffin's behalf. Will Paul use his influence to negotiate a backdoor deal for a mutually amicable punishment?

Fitting, because the Clippers are the NBA's answer to the Cowboys: a constant freak show.

Griffin allegedly punched out a Clippers minion; which is expressly forbidden by the player's collective bargaining agreement.

In doing so he broke his right hand. Obviously, he was not playing basketball, which invokes a provision that expressly is addressed in the collective bargaining agreement.

It will keep him out as long as six weeks. (Coincidentally, Griffin had been sidelined by a quadriceps injury but was expected to return this week).

Few facts have been vetted by the league and team investigators, but this is what has been reported by ESPN: Griffin and assistant equipment manager Matias Testi, who are close friends, were involved in an altercation at a Toronto restaurant in which Griffin first hit Testi inside the restaurant, then again outside the restaurant.

These facts appear to be correct. Neither the team nor the player disputes them. Clippers management issued a statement condemning Griffin's behavior. Griffin issued a tweet of apology.

The consequences could, and should, be dire.

A professional athlete attacking any team employee is unconscionable. These are giant men possessed of superhuman strength, speed and quickness. No support staff for a professional sports team should fear for their physical safety.

Since Griffin suffered his injury outside of playing or preparing to play basketball, it appears that he can be suspended by the Clippers until he is cleared to return … and why shouldn't they? It would cost Griffin more than $8.5 million.

He would appeal, of course, but the Clippers should shoot the moon. There should be zero tolerance for violence between players and peons.

Also, it appears that the Clippers could seek to void Griffin's contract since he physically attacked a team employee. He has about $50 million remaining through 2017-18. Termination seems implausible. Griffin might be an odd duck and a knucklehead but he is a transcendent talent, a foundational player who has refined his game the past two seasons.

Griffin will be a Clipper for the foreseeable future. The team won't risk rankling him with draconian penalties, but he deserves something harsh: say, five games for breaking his hand, another five for fighting.

That's 10 games and $2.5 million in lost salary for the quirky guy whose surreal Kia commercials did as much to raise his image as his monster dunks.

Just another weird day in the life of the Clippers.

This is the club whose serially bigoted former owner was forced to sell; whose history of intentionally constructing poor teams made them a punch line for decades; whose players last summer (Griffin among them) essentially kidnapped one of their own to keep him from signing with a conference rival.

Griffin's broken hand just adds a chapter to the ledger of lunacy.