t’s amazing the clutch shots Robert Horry has hit in his career. But when you look back on these 07’ playoffs, which shot will you remember? The three that won the game on the court or the hip-check on Nash that won the series? A series that was put in the hands of the commissioner, and let’s just say that David Stern’s recent decisions have been more questionable than Carlos Boozer’s ethnicity.
I’m not going to say that David Stern has an easy job, far from it. God knows the kind of decisions he has to make on a daily basis. (Like how to make the league completely white.) But how hard is it to have rules open to interpretation? If we were just going to connect the dots for every infraction of the law, we wouldn’t need judges. Once we find that somebody did something we just cross-navigate it on our little charts and do it. If this is the case then explain to me how David Stern any more qualified than a monkey, or a child, or even Roger Mayweather?
David Stern. Where do you draw the line? When do you cross that invisible barrier between laying down the law and playing God? Because that’s essentially what you’ve done to the most exciting series we had. You’ve taken the luck out of poker, and in this case, you’ve taken out the opponent too. Why even play, just name the Spurs the champions.
I’m not even going to pose as a Suns fan. In fact, as a basketball traditionalist, I’m more attracted to the Spurs methodical pace than Phoenix’s brand o’ excitement. And God knows the distaste I have for ANY organization actually willing to pay Tim Thomas any more than minimum wage (after the effort he put in with the Knicks.)
No, my argument isn’t that Stoudemire and Diaw shouldn’t be suspended. That’s fine with me; as long as everyone else is held accountable for their actions too.
Like Tim Duncan. Did he not on the court earlier in the game to complain about a call? Don’t tell me you missed that – his eyes were so cartoon-like you could have thought they were filming the sequel to Space Jam. The rule doesn’t seem to have clear-cut there though, only during fights. I SEE!
What about Baron Davis, who gave his former backcourt-mate Derek Fisher an elbow that would make Lex Luger proud? What about when Jason Richardson’s virtual beheading of Turkey’s main man Memo? (It’s a good thing I’m not reading that out loud!) What about Bruce Bowen first kneeing Nash in the gonads then proceding to kicking Amare like he was a soccer ball? You probably have to look those rules up, huh? I’ll save you the time Davey Boy; these incidences aren’t in the rulebook. But stepping onto the court is, and you enforce that to a T. (And here’s a T for Stephen Jackson while we’re at it. You know he probably did something to deserve it.)
And what message is sending to the Spurs? First he rids the league of the official that got fed up with Timmy. Fine! Then Stern doesn’t suspend Bowen for repeated cheap shots. Fine! You don’t find it punishable for the Warriors lack of sportsmanship in Game 4 of their series. Fine! But Stoudemire standing up… one game. Come on!
So then Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw sat out the most pivotal game of the series and the Suns found their backs to the wall where they should have found new life. And because of what? Because David Stern wanted to avoid the firestorm from the ‘silent majority’ of Spurs faithful?
That’s why you have a job. It is your duty to judge each incident on a case-by-case basis, and then enforce whatever punishment you deem appropriate.
What’s the difference between Robert Horry shoulder blocking Steve Nash and Stoudemire getting up to protect him. One additional game, apparently. The suspensions equal 30.1 combined PPG for the Suns, compared to 3.9 points PPG the Spurs lose. And the Spurs provoked it and had the only physical interaction in the entire melee.
It amazes me how the repercussions of taking out the other team’s best player can actually benefit your cause. What stops Jacque Vaughn from doing the same thing this game? If he goes Stephen Jackson on the South African native Canadian and the same thing happens, what precedent are you setting? I see that it prevents the bench from stepping on the court, but how does it prevent a Spurs bench player from doing the same this game and knocking every Suns All-Star out of the game?
Stern’s response: Well, as long as the bench does not stand up! That would be terrible for the league’s image.
My Answer: Much worse than the commissioner fixing the finals.
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