The rule about leaving the bench during an altercation has been in the league for years. Ask the Knicks.
Want to rant and rave and tear your hair out? I don't blame you. But make sure your anger is blamed at those two morons for leaving the bench and trying to get in the middle of it. Their emotions have put this series in jeopardy.
If they'd have kept on the bench this series would be all but over.
Are you for real? Do you realize without the cheap shot none of the events afterward even occur? Is that one fundamental point beyond your comprehension?
After the fact yes they should not have left the bench. However, no Horry cheap shot, then no altercation, then no reaction from any player or no suspensions either. It's funny how the Spurs fans like to "cherry pick" their points.
Also, the rule states 2 things that are grey. First thing being "altercation" and the other being proximity or "vicinity" of the bench. If you take out a restraining order against someone it specifies the exact length so that there are no grey areas. Why do you think the language is so vague? The reason the language is vague is so that the league can make judgment calls. So where was the judgment? Where was the logic?
Stern already had the ability to make a judgment call and do what is right and he did not. There is a huge difference between guys leaving the bench to engauge in an altercation (which is who the rule was intended for) and someone who jumps up and then avoids the altercation. The wording was put in place to give the commisioner a tool to guage who should be suspended.
Nowhere in the rule does it state specific feet away from the bench. Nowhere in the rule does it define altercation. Nowhere in the rule does it state that intent should not be considered. Based on the video it also appears that they left the bench
prior to the altercation. So if your going to suspend someone for leaving the bench prior to an altercation then why shouldn't that apply to Duncan? This decision was all about Stern reminding everybody that he is the dictator of the NBA. Based on the media and fan polls everybody sees it but Stern and Spurs fans.