From the sidelines in San Antonio

[elindholm]

No I am not kidding. I said I wanted Amare to show that he wasn't afraid of him, and get in his face. That doesn't warrant a suspension.

I won't argue whether it would "warrant" one, but surely you've recognized that the officials see Stoudemire as a hothead. He'd be guaranteed to get at least a technical, and that's not worth it.

The only way to stop a bully, is to become a bully.

This isn't two eight-year-olds on the school playground; there are other people involved. The referees will always, always, punish the player who retaliates, and that includes just getting in someone's face. Just like with everything else, the Spurs have figured out how to work this "rule" to their advantage.

Bowen knows Stoudemire isn't afraid of him. All he wants is a reaction.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I won't argue whether it would "warrant" one, but surely you've recognized that the officials see Stoudemire as a hothead. He'd be guaranteed to get at least a technical, and that's not worth it.



This isn't two eight-year-olds on the school playground; there are other people involved. The referees will always, always, punish the player who retaliates, and that includes just getting in someone's face. Just like with everything else, the Spurs have figured out how to work this "rule" to their advantage.

Bowen knows Stoudemire isn't afraid of him. All he wants is a reaction.

We just disagree. That type of reaction from Amare is exactly what I wanted to see.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

We just disagree. That type of reaction from Amare is exactly what I wanted to see.

so did stern.

 

[playstation]

those 'rules' stop working if you win a chip. then you're a prized piece in the NBA and they protect you a bit more.

san antonio is going to have a tough time this year.

 

[elindholm]

We just disagree. That type of reaction from Amare is exactly what I wanted to see.

So you were happy with the end of Game 4 last summer, then?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

So you were happy with the end of Game 4 last summer, then?

Come on man. Amare wasn't in the play, and he was on the bench. It's a completely different situation. Nash had the EXACT same reaction to Horry when he got hip checked. Did you have a problem with the way Nash reacted?

 

[Bufalay]

So you were happy with the end of Game 4 last summer, then?

No! Only because Amare half-assed it. He should've knocked someone's teeth in.

 

[justAndy]

Hubie noted that the refs weren't calling the flops for the Sterns that they usually do - he remarked on the fans behind him yelling for the flops to be called as fouls.

 

[elindholm]

Nash had the EXACT same reaction to Horry when he got hip checked. Did you have a problem with the way Nash reacted?

I disagree that Nash's reaction was all that aggressive, but even stipulating that it was, Nash doesn't have the reputation Stoudemire does. Do you deny that Stoudemire would, at the very least, get a technical if he were to chase Bowen down and get in his face?

 

[JCSunsfan]

This Suns team is unlike any Suns team I have ever watched. We've always had this high octane, blow up on anyone any night type of team. We could blow anyone out, but a 20 point lead was never enough. The things that make this team different are:

1. Rebounding. Suddenly we are a better rebounding team than most of our opponents. It makes it really hard for teams to come storming back when they get one shot.

2. Defense. At some point, league wide, people are going to notice that this is not just a good defensive team, its a top-tier defensive team. Shaq's presence has allowed everyone to stay at home on defenders. Strangely enough, even Nash is a better defender with Shaq on the floor because he doesn't have to work quite as hard on offense.

3. Balance. While shooting is important, we are not so dependent upon it. We have a diverse and greatly effective interior offense.

4. Depth. I had not idea that GG would be able to fill such a role for us. He is a decent defender and shooter.

While I do not expect to sweep anyone in the playoffs, I have to believe that this team can WEAR ANY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE DOWN in a 7 game series. There is just this quiet confidence about them.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I disagree that Nash's reaction was all that aggressive, but even stipulating that it was, Nash doesn't have the reputation Stoudemire does. Do you deny that Stoudemire would, at the very least, get a technical if he were to chase Bowen down and get in his face?

What do you mean? He thought about it for a second, and ran, RAN towards Horry before he was stopped.

 

[nowagimp]

Good sportsmanship from fans is a rare event in todays world, kudos to you GP for rising above the trash. The contenders of the west may be lucky the spurs let go of louis scola at the beginning of this season. Scola would have been a nice young bench player with alot of energy for a spurs team that seems thin on the bench. Suns fans should know that being thin on the bench can be a limiting factor to a team with title aspirations. I still think the spurs can beat anybody in a 7 game series, but the defense off the bench seems a few notches below what it used to be.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Come on man. Amare wasn't in the play, and he was on the bench. It's a completely different situation. Nash had the EXACT same reaction to Horry when he got hip checked. Did you have a problem with the way Nash reacted?

I agree with Eric on this one DCR - I think we have inherent toughness now with Shaq with our rebounding and defense improved.

Bowen was trying to get Amare to do something stupid - and it was so blatant I can't understand how Stern doesn't do something about it. I would love for that goof AMBEYCHANG to start another thread on how Bowen is NOT a cheap shot instigator. That was so blatent at the end of a blow-out, its despicible

I would love for Amare to knock Bowens teeth in at some point. But lets wait till we have less on the line. Amare did the right thing and to have retaliated would have to not have learned from our past mistakes.

I think the Spurs know now that its going to take something else then just what they have been doing to beat us....

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I agree with Eric on this one DCR - I think we have inherent toughness now with Shaq with our rebounding and defense improved.

Bowen was trying to get Amare to do something stupid - and it was so blatant I can't understand how Stern doesn't do something about it. I would love for that goof AMBEYCHANG to start another thread on how Bowen is NOT a cheap shot instigator. That was so blatatent at the end of a blow out its despicible

I would love for Amare to knock Bowens teeth in at some point. But lets wait till we have less on the line. Amare did the right thing and to have retaliated would have to not have learned from our past mistakes.

I think the Spurs know now that its going to take something else then just what they have been doing to beat us....

That's cool. We can have a difference of opinions. We don't disagree in Bowen's intention. To think that Amare should turn the other cheek to these types of cheapshots would only help to keep the "soft" image that we have had for years, and not facilitate the change in toughness that we are getting since aquiring Shaq.

You guys are misinterpreting what I am saying. I don't think that Amare should have knocked his teeth in right then and there, but getting in his face and vocally letting him know that was BS is perfectly acceptable to me.

 

[Mainstreet]

You're kidding, right? Bowen hopes that Stoudemire will come knock his teeth in, because it would mean a suspension. It was just like the Horry play, in another game that was already over -- use a cheap shot to set a trap that will paralyze the Suns later on.

Sure, Bowen wants to hurt people, but the main thing he is trying to do is provoke a response. The more violent, the better.

This is the correct take. I'm tired of the league office punishing the Suns players for the Spurs shenanigan's. If retaliation must be taken let it be in the form of a hard but clean foul.

 

[elindholm]

If retaliation must be taken let it be in the form of a hard but clean foul.

Or better yet, on the scoreboard. Hit back at the Spurs where it hurts the most.

 

[TucsonDevil]

One of the big surprises last night was the lack of foul calling. Yeah, I know Shaq got a few touchy fouls, but then Bowen got a couple as well. However, for the most part, the refs let a lot of fouls go uncalled. I wonder if that will continue in the playoffs? This was the first game that I felt the Spurs didn't receive the kind of calls they normally would, and the Suns got a couple of no-calls that helped them.

BTW, I know that we beat this dead-horse all the time, but the next time you watch the Spurs play the Suns, watch Bowen's feet on Nash. Actually, just watch Bowen the entire time. I know that Bell holds, pushes, and prods - but Bowen is on a whole different level. He actually does try and trip players, he intentionally sticks his feet in between others. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but in the first half there was a play that ended in a whistle and Bowen was standing on Nash's foot and would not pick his foot up. Nash had to yank his foot from under Bowen's. I laughed, but was impressed by Nash's reaction - he didn't give any! Bowen uses these tactics in order to frustrate and piss off his opponent. The less credence you give it, the less effect his defense has on the game.

Stoudamire was wrong for going after Bowen with such an emotional display. He was right for going to his knees in order to call attention to the elbow, but he needs to just look over at Bowen and let it go. Don't let the refs think you might retaliate. .... then a few minutes later, set a hard pick!

BTW, the original post by GP was class. While I hate the Spurs, I certainly respect their game and their rings.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You're kidding, right? Bowen hopes that Stoudemire will come knock his teeth in, because it would mean a suspension. It was just like the Horry play, in another game that was already over -- use a cheap shot to set a trap that will paralyze the Suns later on.

Sure, Bowen wants to hurt people, but the main thing he is trying to do is provoke a response. The more violent, the better.

exactly. The best way to hurt the Spurs is to BEAT them, otherwise, you're just falling right into the trap they're setting for you. I look at us and the Spurs like the Bulls and Pistons. The Bulls kept getting beat the hell up by those Pistons teams, but never lost their cool and ultimately humiliated them. But never once did they give in like we did last year or like Amare seemingly wanted to do again last night before the entire team had to pull him back. With a team like the Spurs you just have to beat them... anything else and you're falling into their trap.

 

[Cheesebeef]

That's cool. We can have a difference of opinions. We don't disagree in Bowen's intention. To think that Amare should turn the other cheek to these types of cheapshots would only help to keep the "soft" image that we have had for years, and not facilitate the change in toughness that we are getting since aquiring Shaq.

You guys are misinterpreting what I am saying. I don't think that Amare should have knocked his teeth in right then and there, but getting in his face and vocally letting him know that was BS is perfectly acceptable to me.

Amare should be laughing at the fact that the only way the Spurs can beat us is by trying to goad us into a fight. They're the old guy down at the rec center that you can't stand.

I look at like this as well... you don't do something when the game is stopped. You want retribution? Do it smart, DURING play when it can be deemed somewhat of a basketball play, just like Bowen. You don't make a spectacle of yourself like Amare was about to do. That's why Shaq is so huge for us. He puts people on their asses, he doesn't take Duncan's hand, he flings people off him when they're hanging on him swinging elbows. What he doesn't do is wait for the play to be dead, and then make himself the object of everyone's attention and get in someone's face. THAT'S SOFT and STUPID IMO.

The only time the Bulls let a bully get to them was in their second title year. That Knicks team in the second round (which wasn't that good) just beat the tar out of them and the Bulls started responding in kind and almost lost in 7 games. The next year? Without homecourt advantage, the Bulls went down 0-2 to an even better Knicks team and then kicked the crap out of them the next 4 games. Why? They never gave in to the bullying and were able to stay focused on the task at hand.

That's what this team needs to do against the Spurs. They're going to pull that stuff. We need to let Shaq dole out punishment and keep our composure. Anything else and we're doing EXACTLY what we want them to do.

 

[nashman]

Anyone notice no Horry in this game either? Is he hurt or they just don't want to play him against us? Anyway it was a nice beatdown and should energize this team to win out and be ready to roll into the playoffs feeling good!

 

[95pro]

Anyone notice no Horry in this game either? Is he hurt or they just don't want to play him against us? Anyway it was a nice beatdown and should energize this team to win out and be ready to roll into the playoffs feeling good!

horry(cheap shot bob) = washed up

 

[KANIDJA]

One of the big surprises last night was the lack of foul calling. Yeah, I know Shaq got a few touchy fouls, but then Bowen got a couple as well. However, for the most part, the refs let a lot of fouls go uncalled. I wonder if that will continue in the playoffs? This was the first game that I felt the Spurs didn't receive the kind of calls they normally would, and the Suns got a couple of no-calls that helped them.

BTW, I know that we beat this dead-horse all the time, but the next time you watch the Spurs play the Suns, watch Bowen's feet on Nash. Actually, just watch Bowen the entire time. I know that Bell holds, pushes, and prods - but Bowen is on a whole different level. He actually does try and trip players, he intentionally sticks his feet in between others. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but in the first half there was a play that ended in a whistle and Bowen was standing on Nash's foot and would not pick his foot up. Nash had to yank his foot from under Bowen's. I laughed, but was impressed by Nash's reaction - he didn't give any! Bowen uses these tactics in order to frustrate and piss off his opponent. The less credence you give it, the less effect his defense has on the game.

Stoudamire was wrong for going after Bowen with such an emotional display. He was right for going to his knees in order to call attention to the elbow, but he needs to just look over at Bowen and let it go. Don't let the refs think you might retaliate. .... then a few minutes later, set a hard pick!

BTW, the original post by GP was class. While I hate the Spurs, I certainly respect their game and their rings.

I really think this is the wrong way going about it. Just ignore it like it never happened?
The only way you stop Bowen is you beat him at his own game. You let him know that no matter what he does you going to be there and it is you and him nobody else. Yo talk to him and let him know you KNOW he is doing it on purpose and is just being a huge @@@@@ pretending like he does not know what is going on and why is all of a sudden everyone going after him. Then you push him, you hit him, you trip him, put your feet under his (he shoots lots of three's) and everything else you can just don't ever back down. I wish they would let me in there for just one game Why doing all of these you pretend like you are not doing anything. Have no idea how these people can take it from him? Seriosuly! If nothing else works I would knock him out and let them suspend me for season!