If the Phoenix Suns end up losing this series it will be because of two technicalities. Nash couldn’t finish Game 1 because of the ‘Magic Johnson blood rule’ and now the Suns have lost Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for Game 5. Duncan is already wrecking havoc on the Suns and without Stoudemire or Diaw available, he will certainly wear down Kurt Thomas and dominate the paint. Watch out for a 40/20 game from Duncan tonight.
David Stern was matter of fact when Dan Patrick interviewed him this morning. When Patrick suggested that Horry’s play would decide the series, Stern said “It's being decided because two Phoenix Suns who knew about the rule, forgot about, couldn't control themselves or had coaches who couldn't control them.” That statement really angers me. What is deciding this series, and the eventual NBA Champion, is an archaic rule. The rule shouldn’t be iron clad; the league should evaluate each situation individually. Neither Amare Stoudemire nor Boris Diaw were actually involved in the altercation, they just impulsively jumped up to defend their two-time MVP after he took a vicious hit. In a series where Steve Nash has already endured the bloody nose and an elbow to the groin from Bruce Bowen, it’s easy to see why his teammates would be especially protective of him. I wonder if this situation would have occurred if the league had suspended Bruce Bowen. Although I disagree with the rule, the NBA had to make it because of the precedent they had set. I just hope that the rule will be changed this summer.
However, what people don’t realize is that there is another piece of tape that incriminates Tim Duncan. Francisco Ellison was dunking the ball when he fell, flipped, and hit the floor on top of James Jones. Tim Duncan left the bench and was within the three point line when Bruce Bowen went to bring Timmy back to the bench. It could be argued that Tim Duncan deserves to be suspended (I guess the excuse the NBA League Office is using is that the play wasn’t an “altercation”). This is what Jalen Rose had to say about the suspension and Tim Duncan rushing the court on ESPN’s first take:
I hope the Suns win tonight. Because if they don’t, this series is over and we’ll all have to see the Spurs win their 4th championship, which means DYNASTY.
2 comments:
How did the Suns lose that game? They outplay San Antonio the whole game to lose by a Bruce Bowen three pointer at the end. You have to give it up for Phoenix's effort, but this REALLY stinks. Atleast Amare and Boris will be fresh for Game 6.
I guarantee the Spurs win the championship.
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