Big Shot Bob Does It Again
Throughout his NBA career Robert Horry (aka Big Shot Bob) has made his name hitting big shots throughout his NBA career. Last night, he hit perhaps his biggest shot ever. During game 4 of the West Semis, Horry leveled the Suns Steve Nash in the games closing moments of a game the Suns were locking up.
Pretty big hit by Horry, in what has been a series full of big hits from the Spurs. It has now become a big deal as the Suns reaction to the hit has gotten two of their better players suspended for pivotal Game 5. Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire have both been suspended for Game 5 of the series for “leaving the bench area”. Robert Horry was suspended 2 games for a flagrant 2 foul (Rightfully so). NBA Vice President of Operations, Stu Jackson (This is the guy that makes suspensions) commented on the suspensions saying “This is a very unfortunate circumstance. No one here at the league office wants to suspend players any game, much less a pivotal game in the second round of a playoff series. But the rule, however, is the rule, and we intend to apply it consistently.”
Ok, I get it. I understand the rule. The rule has its place in the game. However, this isn’t what this rule was intended to stop. As with every rule there should be a gray area that leaves it open to some type of interpretation. Everything cannot be so black and white. Yeah, Diaw and Stoudemire left the bench. However, they never made it to the altercation, and in fact, quickly retreated. Yes, I know they retreated with a little help from the coaching staff. Also, the Suns contended that the players were just going to the scorers table. Of course, everyone on earth knows this wasn’t true, but it is a possibility; one that I really think is impossible to disprove. The NBA has practically hand delivered Game 5 to the Spurs (and probably the entire series) by punishing the Suns for an altercation that the Spurs started. THIS IS CRAZY! I’ve been working all day so I have no idea how the mainstream media has reacted to this, so maybe I stand alone in my opinion.
Stu Jackson, I’d like to thank you for royally screwing up this series.
Update: Apparently, the new thing floating around is why wasn’t Tim Duncan suspended. Duncan left the bench area in the 2nd quarter as it looked like tempers were about to flare. I have to say I agree with this. If you are going to suspend Diaw and Stoudemire because a “rule is a rule” then you must suspend Duncan for violating the rule as well.
I’ll provide a few quick links as to how some other blogs are calling this:
God Hates The Suns And The NBA Can Go To Hell (100% Injury Rate)
Will Tim Duncan Be Suspended (The Big Lead)
Phoenix Got The Calls (True Hoop)
Finally, a tribute to Horry:
4 Comments so far
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The reason Duncan was not suspended was because there was no altercation when he left the bench.
Charles Barkley agrees with you, he has the same opinion.
ESPN did a poll and 80% of people that responded agree with me- Not one state (not even Texas) felt these suspensions were legit.
Better yet, I’ll one up you Jeff. Lets say as soon as Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen stepped on the court, a meaningless Suns player decided to punch a Spurs player.
That would be your altercation= suspension.
Stupid rule, even David Stern said he’d love to have it off the books.
I agree with you, I was just saying what I heard earlier in the day about why Duncan was not suspended.
It is a bad rule and will be changed next year, although that doesn’t help the Suns this year.