BREAKING NEWS: Stoudemire, Diaw Suspended 1 Game; Horry Suspended 2 games

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:06 PM MDT in Suns News Comment 51 comments

Here we go! I can't believe it but it's actually true. Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire were both suspended for Game 5 on Wednesday. Robert Horry was suspended for 2 games. And despite everything commissioner David Stern and his cohorts have said, they do like to have thug basketball in the playoffs.

How else do you explain this?

Bruce Bowen clips Amare Stoudemire - no review
Bruce Bowen knees Steve Nash - review, no fine or suspension
Baron Davis elbows Derek Fisher in the head - review, no fine or suspension
Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw rush toward their teammate when he is body slammed into the scorer's table but don't touch anyone and go back to the bench within 2 seconds - review, 1 game suspension
Robert Horry is sent into a game that is pretty much over with 32 seconds to go , body slams the former 2-time MVP and ruins the best series going in the playoffs - review, receives a paltry 2 game suspension

David Stern can say anything he wants about liking how the game is opening up and becoming more free. But he's proved here that he doesn't mean it.

It's a travesty that the Spurs continue to get away with what can only be considered thug basketball and no one in the upper echelon of the NBA cares.

The Suns can still win the game tomorrow. They'll have the crowd behind them and they'll be out to get revenge. But it's going to be a fight - literally. Don't think for a minute that these suspensions will tone things down. If anything, it's shown Greg Popovich and his band of thugs that they really CAN get away with whatever they want.

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Game 5 - still have a chance

I have been thinking about this all day.

I think the Suns can still pull this out. They will be furious and the crowd will be insane.

I think they will be so pumped and Barbosa will have a huge game and someone else will play well. Jalen Rose. James Jones. Someone else even.

The Suns will go Warriors on their ass and score 120 points. Forget about Duncan and just run the hell out of the ball.

by Phoenix Stan on May 15, 2007 5:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll be there

This may go down as the biggest injustice in sports history. I'm flabergasted and furiated in ways that can hardly be imagined. I'll do my best in the stadium to make the Spurs feel very "welcome" tomarrow. There is still hope but that rat bastard Stern just went a long way to taking the wind out of our sails.

DIE SPURS DIE!!!!!!!! GO SUNS!!!!!

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on May 15, 2007 5:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too

I will SCREAM and cheer for our Suns. I hope they will play great and win.

However, I don't feel very good about this game or about this series.

If the Suns lose tonight, the series is pretty much over, and they WILL lose. SA is just too good a team to let this opportunity slip by. They have us by the throat. There is no escape. This will be the last home game of this season for the Suns. Hope for a better outcome next year.

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 1:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My biggest concern

is that the game is going to get even more physical now. The Suns are going to come out rabidly intense and the Spurs are going to play just as dirty. So watch for more fights and altercations tomorrow night.

Like I said, I think the NBA likes the physical play - despite everything Sterns says.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's put in Pat Burke

and give him a switchblade and have him carve out tim duncan's intestines. They may even suspend him a game.

by andrewinnewyork on May 15, 2007 5:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Suns fan

from NJ and I just signed up. Found this site through another blog.

I'm really pissed off that this crap actually came true. How the hell does Duncan not get suspended?

The rules says when players leave when an altercation happens. There was a VERY SMALL altercation in the 2nd quarter. It's minuscule compared to the one at the end of the game. Who's job is it to judge how big an altercation is? Even a minuscule altercation is still an altercation and the rules should suspend Duncan too.

by Coolbean04 on May 15, 2007 5:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome

Nice to have someone from NJ. It always feels good when we see Suns fans from other places. Welcome!

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 1:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ya'll aren't going to like this

But I think the league made the right decision in light of how they've enforced this rule before. The rule itself is completely short-sighted, and broken. But it's also very specific, and they really had no choice but to abide by the precident set in previous instances, and really, the Suns just made a mistake. They all know the rules, and have to live by them, even when the rules are wrong. This is something I expect will be addressed in the offseason. This series has exposed a serious flaw in the system. It's too late to save the Suns, but I really think this will be the last season the Spurs will have free reign to run all over everyone. They'd better just enjoy it while they can.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 5:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Fine

I can agree with the decision. BUT if we're going to lose guys to a rule, then Duncan and Bowens should be suspended too for leaving the bench when there was a small scruff!!

by Coolbean04 on May 15, 2007 5:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point exactly

If you go by the letter of the law, then Boris and Amare should have been suspended. But so should have Duncan. And so should have Bowen for the knee thing and Davis for the elbow. How can they suspend Kobe for "non-basketball-move" and then not suspend Baron Davis? Sounds like they're palying to the fans on that one - just like they are playing to the fans when they suspended Horry for 2 games instead of one.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like my dad always says..

Two wrongs don't make it right. This whole thing was caused by the league letting crap like Bowen pull go on all series long without so much as a slap on the wrist. I guess they figured each case should be considered on its own merits without taking into account prior acts that may have influenced the situation. Like I said, it stinks. But the league was really painted into a corner on this one because of how it had interpreted the rule in the past. The only way to fix it is to re-write the rule so that this kind of thing doesn't happen again.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 5:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we're gonna go like that...

...and be strict structuralists, then let's apply it
throughout ALL aspects of the game. That means we call a foul every time Duncan goes over somebody's back for a rebound, or spends 3 seconds in the paint, or hell, mocks the referees with his "what did I do?" look and pose.

Hell, let's take this a little further. Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen should both be prosecuted for assault. After all, both had intent and committed an overt act....just because it happened to be during a basketball game doesn't dismiss that.

flim springfield

by DrStrom on May 15, 2007 5:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

About Duncan

I didn't see anywhere that the specifically did NOT suspend Duncan. Could be they just haven't made a decision on that yet. However, what happened in the second quarter didn't really look like an altercation to me. Taken just by itself, there's no way it would even be considered as a suspendable offense, so it's probably not "right" to judge it differently just because it would make the series more fair. At least not "legally" right. It would sure as heck be morally right though.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 5:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Makes you wish...

that they would have gone after each other right then, huh?

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the future

in the playoffs. I think the Suns should committ some REALLY HARSH Fouls to a star player trying to dunk. Maybe commit a hard foul by the other teams bench in order to try to get the opposing team's players suspended. So what if we lose Burke or J. Rose. We don't use them anyway.

by Coolbean04 on May 15, 2007 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duncan

They HAVE made the decision to not take an action against Duncan. As Stu J. explained this morning (I was listening on my car radio) there was no altercation in progress when Duncan veered from his bench. His argument is that when AS & BD did that, there was an altercation on the floor. By letter of the law Stu decided to suspend our guys but not Duncan. In retrospect it would have been nice if one of the Suns had gone for a Spur's head while Duncan had stepped away from his bench.

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 1:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outdated info

At the time I posted that (yesterday), they hadn't officially made a ruling on Duncan. He's right about it not being an altercation, but that just shows how silly the rule is on its face to begin with. The Suns would have benefitted had Jones--seeing Duncan headed out onto the court--would have decked Elson and started a fight. Then it would have been an "altercation", and Duncan would be gone. Like I said, the rule stinks, as does the fact the league never bothered to consider the enormous loophole it creates when they enforce it the way they have for the past 10 years. Unfortunately, there's really no good way to address it "after the fact" without showing the appearance of favoritism (the Knicks got screwed out of the playoffs in a similar situation several years ago, as have any number of players since the rule was put into place). My guess is, the rule will be changed over the summer, just like they tried to fix the seeding "glitch" when it messed up the playoffs last year. It's frustrating. It's "too little too late". But life just isn't fair sometimes I guess.

by TexSUN on May 16, 2007 1:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

And by the way...

The fact that they won't do it is part of the reason I like this team, but the Suns could very well turn this into their advantage if they want. Since the rule is written in a way to reward thug tactics, may as well have Pat Burke send Tim Duncan into the fifth row near the end of tomorrow's game, and see if they can't get a few Spurs ejected for Game 6. If that's the way the rule is written.... :)

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 5:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I've thought the same thing

But realized I would be disappointed in my team for lowering themselves to the Spurs standards...we don't want to be considered punks like they are.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not lowering yourself

It's taking advantage of the rules. For example, if you have the cash to spend on your team like the Yankees. You're not going to do it because it's not fair that no one else can come close to your team salary?

by Coolbean04 on May 15, 2007 5:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spending money and outright thuggery

are two different things.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep.

I wasn't implying that I want the Suns to do this. I'd rather they lose than resort to those kind of tactics. But I guess you can't blame the Spurs for using it to their advantage. Look at it this way, if they've gotten to the point that they have to stoop to stuff like this, then their days as a roadblock to the championship are nearing an end anyway. They may get one last shot at glory out of this, but I think it will be their last. As long as Robert Sarver uses more common sense during the off-season than the league did when they wrote that rule, the Suns will definitely get them next time, and it won't even be close.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 5:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry...I had to delete this...

especially since it was at the top...there are a lot of younger people who read this blog...

by Dan on May 15, 2007 5:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Hostile Fans Will Abound in Game 5

I'll be one such fan at the Purple Palace. I'll do all I can to make every moment of Game 5 a living hell for every one of those damned Spurs who gets on the court. I garauntee all of you that AWA will be the most unpleasant place in the entire world for any visiting team. Fans will lust for the blood of Spurs and will deafen the building with their boos and heckles. Not to mention that Suns players as well will want this game now in ways that is hard to even begin to fathom. Losing STAT as 3D hurt bad, but mark my words gentlemen we'll hurt them much much much much worse Wednesday night.

REVENGE WILL BE OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating your enemy without ever fighting." Sun Tzu

by Turambar on May 15, 2007 5:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

My note to the commisioner

I found the feedback on NBA.com and sent this note. I just felt I needed to vent somewhere, and maybe if they get enough, they will at least acknowledge the outrage.

*************

Mr. Stern and Mr. Jackson,

I would like to thank you for seriously jeopardizing my team's chances of winning an NBA titles with the suspensions of Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw. You took an indefinsible play from the opposing team, and gave them a huge advantage because of it. Bravo!!! Using this logic, the Suns should trot out Pat Burke and have him body slam Tony Parker in from of the Spurs bench to see if anyone would take a step on the court. I understand the need for rules, but these is such as thing as intent. I believe you understand this concept well, as you have been interpreting actions by various players (Bruce Bowen, Jason Richardson, Baron Davis) throughout the past few days and giving (or not giving) punishment based on your discretion. To hide behind a rule at this point of time is cowardly. You have jeopardized the intergrity of the game for 2 players who came NOWHERE near the incident, and actually REWARDED the team whose player started it. I am so beyond rage at this decision right now. I will continue to root for my team until they are eliminated, but I can assure you that I will watch NO OTHER GAMES other than ones involving the Suns this year. Obviously, I am powerless against the juggernaut that is your league office, but my own integrity can stay intact with my personal boycott.

Sincerely,

Thomas Coffee

by twcoffee on May 15, 2007 5:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That's awesome

I completely agree. It's why I put what I put in the post. The NBA rewarded the Spurs for being thugs by suspending two players who didn't do anything to escalate the incident. That's why no matter what David Stern says over the next few months about wanting to open up play, I won't believe it. Actions speak louder than words.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 6:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

horrible decision, i feel sorry for the nba. This is
going to be thought of negatively for yrs. Everyone knows the rule is bad, that it needed to be updated. But leave it to the nba to cause major damage before fixing things. I'm so disappointed. Spurs are probably laughing their asses off, their plan to instigate and manipulate this series has worked from the beginning. Here in Dallas, many tv radio people (sports people) are ashamed at what the spurs are getting away with.

I always try to find the positives out of things. If Diaw was still in, or just amare, at least we'd have a chance. I wish Ivaroni had told the players coming out of the game what he told the bench players. I like the Suns coaches, but they blew it. They should've been looking for this. It even appears they were, but too little too late. Especially after Amare's comments, even though he was right, it's obvious the Suns have no control over him. I made a diary 2 weeks ago, or less saying we should trade amare. I love watching him finish for us, but he simply doesn't put the team first. I put 20% blame on players, 40% on nba for a unflexible bad rule, and 40% on the suns coaches. How sad, they need to play g.s. thug ball wed and win! Imagine the momentum if they can pull off a win and get amare back going for the victory.

by jasonsuns1 on May 15, 2007 6:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good points

Your first point is one I was trying to make earlier. The league did what it was "supposed" to do based on how the rule was written and enforced in the past. Is it a badly written rule that needs to be injected with some common sense? YES. Will it be? Probably. But until that happens, the league is stuck with the mess they created, and really had no choice here. And your second point is valid too. The Suns do share some blame here, like it or not. They were set up, but it was their decision to fall for it. They know they're not supposed to get up and leave the bench in the middle of an altercation, and that's exactly what they did, I don't care how much Amare tries to claim that he was "just checking into the game" (although I do think Diaw may very well have been going to check on Nash--that does seem in character with him, where as going out to kick someone's butt seems more in character with Amare).

As for whether Amare should be traded? I'm split down the middle on this too. His big mouth and impulsive actions get the Suns in trouble way too often for comfort, and I'm just speculating, but I'd be willing to bet he hates playing second fiddle to Nash. I don't want the Suns to give in and "give the team to Amare" just to keep him happy. That would just be wrong on so many levels it might make me stop watching the NBA again. But at the same time, he has enormous potential, and has come through so much in his life, that sometimes I think he's more like a little kid in a young man's body (and Jack McCallum's book went a long way to confirming that may indeed be the case). What I'm hoping is that experiences like this one will finally make him grow up and realize it's not all about him. If Amare and Steve could get that whole Stockton and Malone thing going (together with the kind of respect those two had for one another--e.g., Malone having Stockton on the podium when he got his MVP award, etc), I don't think there's a team in the NBA that could stand in their way of winning it all. That is, assuming Robert Sarver doesn't go into "blow it up" mode this summer just to save some money.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 7:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

seven seconds or less

Yep, great book, we're lucky to have had that chance to look into some of the suns. On amare, i like to think of it as marrying someone but then hoping and trying to change them right from the beginning. Is it possible, can amare learn. No question, he's grown into a better rebounder, etc and I do see your point. I hope your right, I hope Amare and Nash do develop into the Malone-Stockton example.

Bottom line on this, the suns, nash, the coach, etc obviously have the inside line on is this a possibility, etc and I'm sure they'll act as they need to over the next season or 2. There is one thing to say, even if the suns don't win it all, they're hands down bringing more fans into the nba (or back into the nba) and this is a tribute to how much fun they are to watch. And Amare is a big part of that, his finishes are amazing!

And I know this is the playoffs, and emotions are high, etc. But I maybe should raise the blame on the coaches. The Suns style of letting players play, and being laid back is great in a lot of ways, but it lends itself towards not hassling a player with what they should and shouldn't do. I can't imagine Duncan, and other more experienced stars and the coaches running into this problem.
And as a Suns diehard fan, it hurts to say this stuff, and I don't want their system to change, but it didn't help. So sad, but, as the dallas sports people here keep saying (when they're not bringing up the what if they still had nash discussion) is what if the suns win, what a story!

by jasonsuns1 on May 15, 2007 8:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not so sure about that

Duncan did step onto the court after that undercut in the second quarter. He won't (and probably shouldn't) get a suspension because no actual altercation occurred. But the only thing that prevented him from being guilty of exactly the same offense as Amare was that the Spurs player who got undercut didn't haul off and hit Jones. Had that happened, Duncan would have been in the same boat as Amare, and facing the same penalty. (Which is part of why the rule is stupidly written to begin with).

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 9:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to be a jerk but

definition of altercation using google

Link to google definition of altercation

The key is a foul is called, none was called on that play your talking about. End of discussion (I'm sorry, I wish it was equal...believe me)

by jasonsuns1 on May 15, 2007 9:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I meant is...

I agree it wasn't equal because there wasn't any actual altercation. But I think Duncan was headed out there no matter what, so if one of those two guys had hit one another, then Duncan would have been guilty of leaving the bench during an altercation. Since they both behaved like good citizens instead, he's not.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 9:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

its really a mess

Because so many of the calls by the league or refs are judgement calls, but this "rule" is inflexible and has caused other players to suffer like we are. I wonder if this will at least wake stu jackson and the nba up to modify the rule. At least fine them.

Bottom line for me....

Suspensions should be done as punishment for fighting, dirty fouls, etc NOT AS A PREVENTION SORT OF THING LIKE THIS RULE IS BEING USED AS.

I see this rule as made by a very narrow thinking person, which worries me because it's likely the same narrow thinking person who is the only one who can change it.

The league wanted to make a rule to help prevent players from fighting, etc. Instead of punishing players for being human (but not fighting but leaving an area, what are they, dogs?) they should've just made the punisment for fighting even stronger. Simple, instead of 1 game, make it 20 w/o pay. I'm talking about fists being thrown or kicks deemed dirty and injury intended. Not pushing, etc.

by jasonsuns1 on May 15, 2007 10:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup!

The system is flawed. Badly. Unfortunately, that doesn't help our guys for Game 5. But maybe the league will recognize the silliness of this situation and fix it so this doesn't happen again. You'd think if they're willing to change the seeding system so the right teams play each other in the right rounds, they'd be willing to change a rule that can easily be bent to promote the exact type of behavior it's designed to prevent. I'm betting we see this get addressed this summer, especially if the Suns lose the series because of it.

by TexSUN on May 15, 2007 10:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid rule

This rule punishes the victim instead of the aggressor. However, a commissioner has to use common sense in applying the rule. The two idiots Stern and Jackson are incapable of any intelligent thinking. That is why this league is sinking.

by Vash01 on May 15, 2007 11:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amare

I don't think it's a team vs. me first issue. I think he is just immature and lacks self control. He will learn it over the years but his development is killing his team's chances of winning the championship.

It's a call the management needs to make- trade Amare for a better player (draft pick or experienced) or wait for him to grow up.

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 1:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading Amare is insane

This guy is as good a talent as we have seen in this city since...well since Nash :)

He's a very very young man. If he had gone to college he would only be a rookie this year.

He has matured a LOT as a person and as player. In a few more years he will dominate the league and will win at least one MVP. Trading him would be a HUGE mistake.

He said today that he made a mistake and accepts that.

by Phoenix Stan on May 16, 2007 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

just call him

Stern office #

1-212-407 8300

by emirem on May 15, 2007 6:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes the NBA needs a head check

I created an account here just because I need to vent. I never wish for injuries for the opposing team, but there is no question in my mind that D'Antoni needs to trot out Banks or Burke to just level Duncan in the closing seconds of this game, preferably directly in front of the Spurs bench. The NBA had a chance to exercise JUDGEMENT, and refused to. There were a number of viable ways to consider how to judge this incident (the one that's the best -- they were just checking to see if Nash was hurt). Instead, we get ROBBED of a good series, and the Spurs get rewarded for a cheap shot play.

Great Job, NBA.

by nundeeram on May 15, 2007 6:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Its amazing the league can't see that this is rewarding the bad behavior rather than punishing it.

Its ridiculous that it could be a viable strategy to use throw-away players like Horry in an attempt to incite suspensions, but this is now the case.

At worst, the Spurs lose Horry who is a complete non-factor anyway, at best they get the result they did, lose Horry in exchange for two of our best players.

All this ruling does is promote a league where every team has at least one talentless big guy whose job is to troll for suspensions in the post-season. Really pathetic.

by Ryan Law on May 15, 2007 7:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a Suns Fan...

...I'm a Clipper fan, but if I were a Suns fan, I'd burn David Stern in effigy tomorrow outside of the arena!

by saxmanager on May 15, 2007 7:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Great idea!

Now why didn't I think of this?

by Vash01 on May 15, 2007 11:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My hope was misplaced.

I was full of irrational hope this morning.
Hoping that the league would accept mitigating circumstance. Hoping the "Hang em' High" mentality of the NBA's front office would change.
As I was running my errands & listening to the sports talk radio shows this morning I knew I wasn't alone. Deep down I knew it wasn't to be.
I went home, took a nap, and woke up to find the trap door had opened. Man, the west can be a tough place.
Cheap shot bob, you have my undying enmity. As a Suns fan, I hated the Lakers. I still do, but my real hate has changed. They never did something like this in an attempt to win. I hope the Suns can win this series but another win in SA? It can be done, but like I said, the west can be a tough place. I feel the same way I did in '93 when it was over.
Thanks SA. I will never forget this. I know there will be another time when it is our turn but right now I feel like nuking you. If the Suns win this series my level of hate towards you will not change.
I just had to vent a little. I am NOT down on the Suns; I just hate having our shot at greatness ruined by greedy little men who can't see.

Sittin by the pool in 1976.

by Osano on May 15, 2007 7:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Osano

You're perfectly justified in your feelings. I haven't heard anyone say the NBA was correct in what they did. Even the people who are normally against the Suns are saying the NBA is basically rewarding the thugs of San Antonio for playing dirty.

by Dan on May 15, 2007 7:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should not have hoped

There was a grain of hope in my mind and it should not have been there.

I am thoroughly disgusted with the NBA because the rules are not being applied consistently- that's where I have a problem.

I would not have a problem with the suspensions of Amare and Boris if Bowen had been disciplined in games 3 and 4, and if Duncan was also suspended for the same reason our guys are.

I think this is going to bring the Suns support of the whole league.

Imagine the drama if the short handed Suns whip the arrogant Spurs tomorrow night! I just hope that nobody gets injured, and I mean it for both sides. Stern has created a thug league and it is getting dangerous.

Suppose the Suns lose game 5. Does that mean the series is over? No way. In game 6 Amare will be so furious that he will be unstoppable. The Suns know that they CAN beat the Spurs in SA.

There could be a game 7 in Phoenix.

However, I would much rather see the Suns whip SA in games 5 and 6 and be done with the thugs.

by Vash01 on May 15, 2007 7:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve Nash

Yes, the flagarant foul that Robert Horry commited was unexcusable but Steve Nash was the one who got his team mates suspended. Thats right i said it, if it werent for his Academy Award winning flop during the foul none of this wouldnt have happened. Steve Nash throwing himself to the scorering table then laying on the floor holding his head acting like he got hurt come on now be real, I guess the NBA stands for Nothing But Actors. So blame Steve Nash for the altercation, as far as the suspensions go RULES ARE RULES what if things were turned around? Different Story? AS for everyone saying for the NBA to give the Spurs the trophy then f@#% it, well take another one. Oh and quit WHINING!

OUT

by SpursFan on May 16, 2007 7:14 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

SpursFan

What else can we expect from a fan of a team like the Spurs? They not only play dirty but accuse the accused.

Let us see what you say after we win the series. You did plenty of whining last year when you lost the series against Dallas.

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 8:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Note from a sports fan

Dear Suns fans,

I myself am from Brooklyn, NY and have been known to occasionally cheer for the New York Knicks. I am a much bigger baseball and football fan than basketball, but I keep up on all the major sports. And from the perspective of a sports fan, what I am seeing happen in this Phoenix/SA series is OUTRAGEOUS.

The penalties the NBA imposed on Diaw and Stoudemire are disgusting. Do they realize that they're REWARDING the Spurs for Horry's classless and ridiculous foul? By enforcing one rule, aimed at not allowing on-court conflicts to escalate, they've opened the door to a whole new, league-pardoned, dirty style of play. What's to stop the NBA from turning into the NHL now?! Hell, even the NHL doesn't have goons anymore...the Spurs and the NBA should be ashamed of themselves.

So, I would like to express my sympathetic outrage to all you Suns fans...you are being blatantly cheated and it is unfair. If your team can rise above this to win a championship they'll really truly deserve their place in the history books.

I think that all fans of the game of basketball should BOYCOTT GAME 6. What kind of message would that send to the NBA?! No one wants to watch a product that is tampered and unfair, and we should not support them.

GO SUNS!

by mooseknuckle on May 16, 2007 8:55 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks mooseknuckle!

Even some Spurs fans are sympathetic to the Suns or embarrassed by some of the Spurs plays, from the comments I read last night.

by Vash01 on May 16, 2007 9:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Reward????

I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE KEEPS SAYING THE NBA IS REWARDING THE SPURS. IF THEY REWARDED US THEY MIGHT AS WELL GIVE US A W. THATS WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME. YOU CAN EITHER DWELL ON YOUR PROBLEMS OR YOU CAN COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM. THE CALLS ARE GOING BAD BOTH WAYS. AS FAR AS BOYCOTTING GAME 6 YOUR A FOOL.

by SpursFan on May 16, 2007 11:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs