NBA just RUINED the WC semi-finals

[Greg Popovich]

The suspensions of Diaw and STAT for leaving the bench--

WHEN THERE WAS NOT EVEN AN ALTERCATION AND RETURNED TO THE BENCH ONCE AN ALTERCATION BETWEEN BELL AND HORRY ERUPTED-

is absolutely staggering beyond belief!!

This single bone-headed action of crippling a team for game 5 has the effect of ruining this series.

Aside from some questionable and outright dity play--this was a magnificent series. Some great play by STAT, Nash, Duncan, Parker.

Great defense by both teams.

Remarkable plays by both teams.

Swings up and down.

This NBA League action has just ruined the playoffs.

 

[mribnik]

Potentially. It also potentially paved the way for one of the most exciting championship runs of all time. What if the Suns get slaughtered in game 5 without Amare and Diaw, or if they lose a very close game. Then they go into San Antonio and win again, to come home and blow the spurs out in game 7. They go on to win the championship. The odds of that aren't extremely high, but it's certainly possible, and that would be an amazing story, and a suitable way for the Suns to get by their "curse." That's sorta like the Red Sox coming back down 0-3 against the Yankees actually.

 

[hsandhu]

You're a class act for admitting this. Why can't we just have both teams in tact, and see who's better?

Also, just wondering. If you guys go onto win the title, how will you feel? Somewhat tainted?

 

[Greg Popovich]

This would definitely be a tainted championship if SA now wins--that is what really sucks.

 

[ajcardfan]

Ironically, the NBA might have made it more memorable if the Suns beat the Spurs in game 5. Conditions are right for an upset. The Suns will have a huge edge in emotional motivation.

 

[az1965]

But you can go on so much on emotions... you need to match up appropriately as well.

 

[ajcardfan]

But you can go on so much on emotions... you need to match up appropriately as well.

Yep. Emotions will get you by for a game or two at most. But, we only need it for one game.

We're down a net of one player for one game. Each of the last two playoffs the Suns won games in those situations, on the road, given no chance by most people who post here. Over the long term though, we didn't have the horses.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Now that I have calmed down a bit... I apologize for posting in another thread for calling the Spurs cheats (although they employ a couple players with doubious character). To your point, Stern has done something that reaks of WWF... he has messed with the integrity of a Sport by following the letter of the law, and not the Spirit of the law.

On the flip side... since Golden State is facing an elimination game, he didn't suspend Baron Davis and / or Stephen Jackson for their antics in their Game 4. Incredible.

 

[CardShark]

The league is the real culprit of this travesty. They should've taken stronger action to the dirty plays and told all teams and officials that all calls will be made consistent with the regular season. Forget this crap that the playoffs mean you are cleared to foul to a greater degree.

It's absolutely assanine to punish the victimized team greater than the instigating team. I am now all for using Pat Burke to lure Duncan into a fist fight. This is evidently what David Stern wants. This is his illogical reasoning. He is encouraging teams to keep thugs who go out and involve key players in altercations in order to decimate the other teams chances of winning. I'm not calling Burke a thug, but he's not a key component. Trading him for Duncan is what Stern is inviting.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's absolutely assanine to punish the victimized team greater than the instigating team. I am now all for using Pat Burke to lure Duncan into a fist fight. This is evidently what David Stern wants. This is his illogical reasoning. He is encouraging teams to keep thugs who go out and involve key players in altercations in order to decimate the other teams chances of winning. I'm not calling Burke a thug, but he's not a key component. Trading him for Duncan is what Stern is inviting.

The Suns are a class team and will not act like thugs. Too bad nice guys finish last. The only thing I can hope for is that D'Antoni performs a coaching miracle in game 5. This almost like the Alamo for the Suns.... Spurs fans should remember the Alamo. Here comes small ball. D'Antoni make it happen.

 

[SO91]

Potentially. It also potentially paved the way for one of the most exciting championship runs of all time. What if the Suns get slaughtered in game 5 without Amare and Diaw, or if they lose a very close game. Then they go into San Antonio and win again, to come home and blow the spurs out in game 7. They go on to win the championship. The odds of that aren't extremely high, but it's certainly possible, and that would be an amazing story, and a suitable way for the Suns to get by their "curse." That's sorta like the Red Sox coming back down 0-3 against the Yankees actually.

That would be a great ending to this season, but come on now, I'm a Sox fan and being down 3-0 to the Yankees, after getting killed at home in game 3, let's not push it

 

[Griffin]

If we win the series, that will make a great story. If we lose, no one will take the Spurs championship seriously, should they win one.