I have been a Suns fan for almost 30 years and while I feel slighted by what has happened during this series and by the suspension fiasco, I also feel so proud of the efforts this team has put forth.
While the issue about the suspensions is being made that Amare and Boris left the vicinity of the bench area, I don't feel that is the issue. The crux comes down to whether they left 'during' the altercation. Everyone seems to be focusing on what the definitions of altercation and vicinity are and how this should be applied.
However, while I would contend that they obviously left the bench area, I think the video clearly shows they left when the foul occurred before the altercation actually occurred. If, as Commissioner Stern and Stu Jackson contend, they left during the altercation, then the question must be asked if the foul constituted the beginning of the altercation or if the altercation began when the players came together including Bell and others. Nash hadn't gotten up and proceeded towards Horry until after Amare and Boris had already left the bench area.
Therefore, if the hard foul constituted the beginning of the altercation, then in order to set a true precedent then the NBBA (National BasketBRAWL Association) would have to review all previous games to make sure that the rule has been enforced consistently. Stern, who sadly acted as a petulant child during his interview with Dan Patrick, contends that Amare and Boris ran to the altercation 'during' the altercation. However, my contention is that they left the bench area after the foul and 'BEFORE' the altercation had actually occurred. At that point the only thing to have occurred would have been the foul. There is NO proof that they left after the altercation had commenced. Once the altercation began they actually backed off and stayed away from the situation. If the NBBA wishes to enforce a suspension for a player leaving the bench area for normal action on the court, whether a foul or some appearance of a foul or concern, then not only should Duncan and Bowen be suspended, but again the NBBA would have to go back and review any time a player has left the bench area, in all games since the rule was enacted, when a ‘foul’ or ‘hard foul’ was committed. Even if they were to say that Horry's foul was out of the normal and constituted the beginning of the altercation, then they would again be required to go back and make sure that this precedent has been consistently enforced.
In fact the NBBA should be commending them for their actions in that they left to access the condition of their comrade at which point no altercation had yet began. Once they recognized that an altercation was in fact occurring then they backed away in order for the incident not to escalate. The sad situation is that by allowing the rough conditions of the playoff season to continue and escalate the real abhorrent characters are in fact Stern, Jackson and the officials who allow this situation to have occurred by not cracking down on the playing conditions during this and other playoff series. In fact this created the environment that escalated in the abhorrent behavior by Horry. How sad that Horry would have committed this foul and not checked to make sure his victim was okay, which is what Nash did when he saw Parker go down in game one. Further the travesty is compounded by his claim of being a victim and biased against. While Horry was suspended for two games, Stern should have further validated how despicable Horry’s behavior was and not have put the blame on Amare and Boris.
Additionally, what is so ironic is that in saying that Stern and Jackson had no choice but to abide by the ‘letter’ of the law, in fact the ironic thing is that they have proven their bias in that by the letter of the law, the suns players never left the bench ‘during’ but rather ‘before’ the altercation occurred. Therefore, he could have and should have used this as a reason not to suspend them. If he truly wanted to send a message he would have suspended Duncan and Bowen and then no one would EVER leave the bench area for any reason. Consequently, they have sent message that is not at all consistent and further confusing.
The suns have shown so much class during this series I would like to express my appreciation for watching their efforts and hope that the class they have shown will set an example of how the game should be played and how beautiful the game can still be. I truly feel confident that they will put forth an amazing effort and all the trials and tribulations of this series will be well worth the rings they will slip on their fingers when they finally win the championship that their classy efforts so duly deserve. I wish to commend their efforts and will continue to back and support them. Go Suns!
Loyal fan, Toner2u
While the issue about the suspensions is being made that Amare and Boris left the vicinity of the bench area, I don't feel that is the issue. The crux comes down to whether they left 'during' the altercation. Everyone seems to be focusing on what the definitions of altercation and vicinity are and how this should be applied.
However, while I would contend that they obviously left the bench area, I think the video clearly shows they left when the foul occurred before the altercation actually occurred. If, as Commissioner Stern and Stu Jackson contend, they left during the altercation, then the question must be asked if the foul constituted the beginning of the altercation or if the altercation began when the players came together including Bell and others. Nash hadn't gotten up and proceeded towards Horry until after Amare and Boris had already left the bench area.
Therefore, if the hard foul constituted the beginning of the altercation, then in order to set a true precedent then the NBBA (National BasketBRAWL Association) would have to review all previous games to make sure that the rule has been enforced consistently. Stern, who sadly acted as a petulant child during his interview with Dan Patrick, contends that Amare and Boris ran to the altercation 'during' the altercation. However, my contention is that they left the bench area after the foul and 'BEFORE' the altercation had actually occurred. At that point the only thing to have occurred would have been the foul. There is NO proof that they left after the altercation had commenced. Once the altercation began they actually backed off and stayed away from the situation. If the NBBA wishes to enforce a suspension for a player leaving the bench area for normal action on the court, whether a foul or some appearance of a foul or concern, then not only should Duncan and Bowen be suspended, but again the NBBA would have to go back and review any time a player has left the bench area, in all games since the rule was enacted, when a ‘foul’ or ‘hard foul’ was committed. Even if they were to say that Horry's foul was out of the normal and constituted the beginning of the altercation, then they would again be required to go back and make sure that this precedent has been consistently enforced.
In fact the NBBA should be commending them for their actions in that they left to access the condition of their comrade at which point no altercation had yet began. Once they recognized that an altercation was in fact occurring then they backed away in order for the incident not to escalate. The sad situation is that by allowing the rough conditions of the playoff season to continue and escalate the real abhorrent characters are in fact Stern, Jackson and the officials who allow this situation to have occurred by not cracking down on the playing conditions during this and other playoff series. In fact this created the environment that escalated in the abhorrent behavior by Horry. How sad that Horry would have committed this foul and not checked to make sure his victim was okay, which is what Nash did when he saw Parker go down in game one. Further the travesty is compounded by his claim of being a victim and biased against. While Horry was suspended for two games, Stern should have further validated how despicable Horry’s behavior was and not have put the blame on Amare and Boris.
Additionally, what is so ironic is that in saying that Stern and Jackson had no choice but to abide by the ‘letter’ of the law, in fact the ironic thing is that they have proven their bias in that by the letter of the law, the suns players never left the bench ‘during’ but rather ‘before’ the altercation occurred. Therefore, he could have and should have used this as a reason not to suspend them. If he truly wanted to send a message he would have suspended Duncan and Bowen and then no one would EVER leave the bench area for any reason. Consequently, they have sent message that is not at all consistent and further confusing.
The suns have shown so much class during this series I would like to express my appreciation for watching their efforts and hope that the class they have shown will set an example of how the game should be played and how beautiful the game can still be. I truly feel confident that they will put forth an amazing effort and all the trials and tribulations of this series will be well worth the rings they will slip on their fingers when they finally win the championship that their classy efforts so duly deserve. I wish to commend their efforts and will continue to back and support them. Go Suns!
Loyal fan, Toner2u
