David Stern on Dan Patrick Show right now...

[D-Dogg]

But would an "EXTREMELY" conservative definition, and enforcing the rule strongly one in the same? To me it is.

No, it isn't.

The definition, and the strict adherance to the rule are two different things.

We don't know what constitutes an altercation to the league, which is what Patrick SHOULD have been asking. But clearly a hard foul isn't an altercation because that's what Stern says (no altercation took place there). And with Amare on the court during an altercation (the shoving) and being drawn back it's hard to clear him out. I still think Diaw could have skated, and again I think Patrick should have asked for definition of his suspension as well.

Patrick took a good opportunity to really clarify things and instead turned it into a challenge fest with a stupid question (good series, they are marquee players) that played into Stern's defensive posture. Instead, Dan could have asked very pointed questions to help EVERYONE be clear on what happened. What constitutes vicinity of the bench...is it just a foot on the court? What is an altercation defined as? Hard foul, shoving? When does a situation change from foul to altercation? Why didn't Duncan get a tech for being on the court? Etc., etc. Is it really that hard to get a feel for the questions people are asking? He probably could have had a very informative and interesting interview instead of the shoutfest and jackassery, but then the controversy wouldn't be as cool and the ratings as high.

 

[D-Dogg]

However thats a fair argument on the altercation part of the argument but what about the vicinity of the bench? Thats an extremely vague term and leaves it way open for interpretation.

I agree, and it is why I thought Diaw would NOT be suspended.

 

[Cheesebeef]

the Diaw suspension I have the biggest problem with. First, he's french - he runs AWAY from a fight not towards one. Two, it's clear from his eyes and body position that he starts running DOWN towards Nash and then backs up IMMEDIATELY when a fight breaks out.

with Diaw, we have a great shot to win - without him we're totally screwed.

 

[ndjmc]

the Diaw suspension I have the biggest problem with. First, he's french - he runs AWAY from a fight not towards one. Two, it's clear from his eyes and body position that he starts running DOWN towards Nash and then backs up IMMEDIATELY when a fight breaks out.

with Diaw, we have a great shot to win - without him we're totally screwed.

No..we're not...We always have a shot........everyone does....

 

[HooverDam]

Wow, brilliant point by Patrick, he asks Stern if Stern has seen video of the Spurs bench during the scuffle. Stern of course says "Yes" but its very smarmy, and honestly didn't seem sincere. Patrick then goes on about how Bowen and Duncan came on the floor in the 2nd quarter, and finds it very hard to believe they wouldnt have come off the bench there at the end.

I really wish I could see video of the Spurs bench.

 

[kps0001]

Wow, brilliant point by Patrick, he asks Stern if Stern has seen video of the Spurs bench during the scuffle. Stern of course says "Yes" but its very smarmy, and honestly didn't seem sincere. Patrick then goes on about how Bowen and Duncan came on the floor in the 2nd quarter, and finds it very hard to believe they wouldnt have come off the bench there at the end.

I really wish I could see video of the Spurs bench.

Wow I can't believe this joker.

I do find it strange that we have not seen any pics of the Spurs bench through this.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Listening to the replay... David Stern is being VERY sensitive and holier-than-thou in the interview.

Screw the league. This commissioner is an idiot. He avoided the issue of 'Baron Davis' and Bruce Bowen's foul VERY quickly.

 

[ndjmc]

Listening to the replay... David Stern is being VERY sensitive and holier-than-thou in the interview.

Screw the league. This commissioner is an idiot. He avoided the issue of 'Baron Davis' and Bruce Bowen's foul VERY quickly.

He really is... I am listening again and I still cant believe it.

 

[arthurracoon]

Stern on:

(paraphrasing)

note:

DS = David Stern
DP = Dan Patricek

DS: you look at the tape, talk to people, see what happens, you try to

DP: is the rule open to interpretation

DS: no, you can jump up and look, but the rule has been in effect - there is no way to know if they are friend or foe. Rudy T had his face changed
make it as simple as possible

DP: you suspended a marquee player now, unfair balance

DS: OH OK, so i should base my decisions on wether this is a star player
let me write this down

DP: changed series?

DS: nobody leavs the bench, did they forget, the assistant coaches didnt grab them fast enough
if its a star vs. scrub - ill write this down

DP: would the owners want interpretation?

DS: NO. no. they broke the rule

if you want to change the rule to add interpretation
he ran far, not far enough. cmon help me out

DP:

DS: what ever will get fans or money, we should change our game

DP: this series is now being decided by Horrys hip check

DS: no, but it is

DS: its not fair, but its the rule

im happy with this result

.....
.....
........

DP:

DS: if you swing at someone, even if they started it
we dont want players getting killed

DS: if you throw a punch, your out - even if its against a cheap shot artist

DS: we try to get fighting out

DP: isnt it human though

DS: if the owners change the rule

DP: this is about interpretation

DS: there is no interpretation

DS: Ill watch their pace and read their mind

DS: if there was a punch, then was there intent

DS: would that be fair? WOULD THAT BE FAIR?

DP: YOURE TAKING THIS TO THE EXTREME

DP: what about Bowen, Davis? what about interpretation?

DP: as a commisioner, in the best interest of the game...

DS: in the bset interest of the game, players cant leave the bench

DS: blah blah blah

DP: I understand this is diffucult for you

DS: YOU DONT THINK THAT BLAH BLAH

DS: DONT STARt about if its a good series or good player, you said it, play the tape

DP: This is wrong, the agressor got rewarded

DS: because they lost their cool

DP: because you allowed all the hard fouls

DS: like one

DP: SEVERAL

DS: They left the bench in an alteracation

DS: out of the 7, 2 couldtn control themselves

We want to avoid bench clearing brawls

DP: I want to see two great teams play

DS: You dont like the outcome

DP: I picked SA, I want to see to teams play

...

 

[480cat]

I love how Stern is writing off the Suns saying the players are costing themselves the series, not even giving the Suns a chance in the series.

He also will not answer any questions pertaining to the second quarter incident.

He is also calling NBA players "Scrubs" I don't think this is a very professional term to talk about your employees like this.

He said he has seen the Spurs bench and they all remained in their seats during the incident. How come no one else has seen this video. Personally I find it hard to believe that no one even stood up.

He is such an ass. If this is the "right" decision then why did he cancel his trip to Phoenix, be a man and stand up to your decision, set an example.

 

[ndjmc]

I love how Stern is writing off the Suns saying the players are costing themselves the series, not even giving the Suns a chance in the series.

He also will not answer any questions pertaining to the second quarter incident.

He is also calling NBA players "Scrubs" I don't think this is a very professional term to talk about your employees like this.

He said he has seen the Spurs bench and they all remained in their seats during the incident. How come no one else has seen this video. Personally I find it hard to believe that no one even stood up.

He is such an ass. If this is the "right" decision then why did he cancel his trip to Phoenix, be a man and stand up to your decision, set an example.

I think the "Scrubs" blast was funny... He really was counting out the Suns and making it seem like they were dead to him....what a dick

 

[HooverDam]

He said he has seen the Spurs bench and they all remained in their seats during the incident. How come no one else has seen this video. Personally I find it hard to believe that no one even stood up.

He is such an ass. If this is the "right" decision then why did he cancel his trip to Phoenix, be a man and stand up to your decision, set an example.

these are the 2 most interesting things to me. The way Stern said he had seen video of the Spurs bench, it stunk. It sounded like BS "oh yah yah, I've seen the video." Well let everyone else see it then you spaz! How can the Spurs hop off the bench in the Elson situation, but then all have extreme self control in a much bigger fight, I doubt this happened. You are telling me not one Spur had at least one foot over the magical invisible line? Bologna.

Secondly, if Stern is so confident he made the right call, his ass ought to be in Phoenix watching this game. I know he wouldn't want to sit in the crowd, but I'm sure Colangelo/Sarver could arrange to have him in a suit somewhere, but he's being a coward.

 

[480cat]

I love how Stern is writing off the Suns saying the players are costing themselves the series, not even giving the Suns a chance in the series.

He also will not answer any questions pertaining to the second quarter incident.

He is also calling NBA players "Scrubs" I don't think this is a very professional term to talk about your employees like this.

He said he has seen the Spurs bench and they all remained in their seats during the incident. How come no one else has seen this video. Personally I find it hard to believe that no one even stood up.

He is such an ass. If this is the "right" decision then why did he cancel his trip to Phoenix, be a man and stand up to your decision, set an example.

 

[devilfan02]

The NBA is dead to me

 

[ndjmc]

I love how Stern is writing off the Suns saying the players are costing themselves the series, not even giving the Suns a chance in the series.

He also will not answer any questions pertaining to the second quarter incident.

He is also calling NBA players "Scrubs" I don't think this is a very professional term to talk about your employees like this.

He said he has seen the Spurs bench and they all remained in their seats during the incident. How come no one else has seen this video. Personally I find it hard to believe that no one even stood up.

He is such an ass. If this is the "right" decision then why did he cancel his trip to Phoenix, be a man and stand up to your decision, set an example.

ok lets do it again...

I think the "Scrubs" blast was funny... He really was counting out the Suns and making it seem like they were dead to him....what a dick

 

[Bong]

We all know what a Spurs fan Dan Patrick is. Did anyone really expect this to be a good interview in terms of asking the tough questions. All he did was help justify the suspensions.

 

[devilfan02]

We all know what a Spurs fan Dan Patrick is. Did anyone really expect this to be a good interview in terms of asking the tough questions. All he did was help justify the suspensions.

Dan Patrick was just fine. He clearly made his point that he thought the aggressors got the upper hand in this situation which is the problem. He thinks it's horrible that Horrys actions led to them getting the advantage in this series.

I don't care if he's a Spurs fan, he is clearly on the Suns side in this argument

 

[nashman]

David Stern is a pompus ass!

 

[arthurracoon]

We all know what a Spurs fan Dan Patrick is. Did anyone really expect this to be a good interview in terms of asking the tough questions. All he did was help justify the suspensions.

I thought he was arguing for no suspensions

 

[Dan H]

I can't believe how unprofessional Stern was in that interview.

If nothing else that should be a reason for the owners to replace him.

Jerry Colangelo for commish!

 

[HooverDam]

We all know what a Spurs fan Dan Patrick is. Did anyone really expect this to be a good interview in terms of asking the tough questions. All he did was help justify the suspensions.

Please stop drinking this early in the day. Patrick went nuts on the commish just like he should of, brought up lots of good points, and totally defended the Suns.

It shouldn't matter if he thinks/wants the Spurs to win the series, he wants to see a good series, w/ all the good players playing and he made that clear. How any Suns fans could be upset at Patrick right now is beyond me.

 

[ActingWild]

Dan Patrick was absolutely NOT siding with the Spurs here. He predicted they'd win but he was taking Stern to task. He thinks the decision by the league is stupid and is totally against it.

 

[mr_sunshine]

Anyone listen to Stern on Dan Patrick's Show?

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/espnradio/player?id=2872317

You need insider to listen to it. But wow? Could he come off as being more of a dick? Seriously. He just sounds like a fool.