^^^exactly...when the rule was made it had nothing to do with "fan involvement", but rather with players escalating the situation....
- RANTTTTTTT - What a ridiculous ruling. Normally, I try to defend Stern for his rulings (i.e - dress code), but this one is just plain dumb. Yes, Amare and Diaw left the bench, but they did so to run over to their teammate who'd just been HIPCHECKED into the boards in an obviously dirty manner. Did Amare throw an punches? No. Did Diaw? No. Did an altercation take place while Amare was on the court? NO. The only 'altercation' that took place was Horry and Bell going after one another, and neither Stat nor Diaw werre anywhere to be seen when that happened. Did Amare touch any opposing players? HELL NO. Furthermore, I don't understand how Duncan was not suspended for being INSIDE THE 3 POINT LINE while play was stopped and a situation could have escalted further. NO ONE ELSE from the Spurs bench was out that far. Bowen came after, but only to pull Duncan back. Honestly, if Amare was there to cause harm, wouldn't he have gone after Horry? Instead, he went towards Nash, trying to get over some assistant coaches in the process. Between the ridiculous calls made in last year's Finals, the bogus calls that are often made, the stupid missed/late calls, and now this, the NBA is really suffering and losing touch with its fans. Not everything needs to be ruled with an iron fist, Stern needs to realize he isn't ruling a country here. As consumers, NBA fans should be allowed to see the best products on the court every game, unless otherwise effected through unchangeable circumstances (injures/CLEARLY DESERVING suspensions). Unfortunetly, because Amare rushed towards the court in a natural reaction, he's going to miss a game that the Spurs will probably win and thus put the Suns against the wall in a game 6 on the road. [sarcasm] Hey, I have a suggestion! Why dont Jalen Rose or Pat Burke pop Duncan or Bowen in the head, knee them a few times or hipcheck Parker to the boards? [/sarcasm] That way, hopefully the Spurs players get mad and it escalates further. Hey, if the Spurs can do it and get two pivotal players suspended, why can't the Suns? This is ridiculous, I'ver never been so furious at any NBA decision as much as this. HOW THE HELL does Bowen not get suspended or atleast FINED for kicking Amare while he's trying to land, and KNEEING STEVE NASH?? Yet Amare and Diaw are out for simply reacting naturally to thier leader being hipchecked? AMARE DIDN'T HIT ANYONE, nor did he TOUCH an opposing player. I cannot believe this rule is being defended; it is by far one of the most boneheaded decisions by the league. Thankfully though, the ratings for the NBA Finals are going to be horrible if the Spurs get there, and that is just what the NBA deserves. I'm cheering for Utah and the Cavs in the next rounds (unless of course the Suns advance), and I will simply boycott watching any Spurs game and will refrain from watching the WCF unless the Spurs are about to be eliminated. If the Spurs make the Finals, there is no way I'm watching even a MINUTE of that ****. I am furious not only as a Phoenix fan, but also as a fan of the NBA. I hope the NBA knows that this is the only intriguing series at this point, and I CANNOT BELIEVE the Spurs are being REWARDED for such a blatant disrespect of the rules. If Burke, Thomas, or Rose do something stupid and punch, kick, trip, or put thier feet under Spurs' players while they are about to land in the next game, I'll be glad. In fact, I'll be cheering. This is so ridiculous that I am actually infuriated. I don't want any players to get hurt, but I also wouldn't mind Raja Bell clotheslining Bowen or Burke kneeing Elson till he falls. On another note, Stern cancelled his trip to PHX for Game 5 - END RANTTT -
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On another note, Stern cancelled his trip to PHX for Game 5</div> Maybe he wanted to go to the nets and cavs game...lol
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I guess peacemaker was a bad word to use, but you still can't detirmine whether or not Amare was going to start something, or if he was just trying to get to his teammates to stop the altercation. Again, there's just too much grey area IMO. You can't really prove what Amare was going to do. But, on the other hand, Bruce Bowen sticks his feet underneath the shooter and tries to injure them again and again. How long has he gotten suspended? Wait, better question would be, when was he ever suspended? Also, Robert Horry got suspended 2 games for the hit on Steve Nash. Raja Bell was suspended 1 game last season for clothelining Kobe Bryant. I fail to see how Horry's hit was any worse than Bell's clotheline last season, especially since it seemed like Nash exageratted the fall quite a bit</div> Kobe's was just as exaggerated if not more. Nash got freaking body checked by someone twice his size. Plus, Kobe deserves the hit. What the hell has Nash done to anyone? Kobe's a dirty player. He deserved it and more.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">*waits for "Kobe Fans United" to respond to above post*</div> I don't mind. These forums are like made up of 99% Kobe fans and Canadians. Strange, but it intrigues me.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">*waits for "Kobe Fans United" to respond to above post*</div> Here we come. Clear it Out, No one deserves to get clotheslined and taken down the way Kobe was by Raja Bell. It was a chicken **** foul by Raja, and it's ironic he complained about Kobe catching him with elbows, when he throws his fair share on defense. Those two seemed to have put it past them, so it's water under the bridge. Brian - The reason Horry was suspended two games, one was for the flagrant 2 foul on Nash, and the second was a result of giving, (and there he is again) Raja Bell a forearm to the neck area.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe's was just as exaggerated if not more. Nash got freaking body checked by someone twice his size. Plus, Kobe deserves the hit. What the hell has Nash done to anyone? Kobe's a dirty player. He deserved it and more.</div> Raja Bell clothelined Kobe. He grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the floor. How did Kobe exaggerate the hit? Also, I'm not the only that thinks Nash exaggerated the actual impact. Allan Houston and the guys over at ESPN said the same thing.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe's was just as exaggerated if not more. Nash got freaking body checked by someone twice his size. Plus, Kobe deserves the hit. What the hell has Nash done to anyone? Kobe's a dirty player. He deserved it and more.</div> Invalid Video Link Does that look like exageration?
He couldn't possibly have gotten hurt in that play. Nash COULD have been hurt. Thanks for replaying it though. I enjoyed the video a great deal almost as much as I enjoyed their near-sweep in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He couldn't possibly have gotten hurt in that play. Nash COULD have been hurt. Thanks for replaying it though. I enjoyed the video a great deal almost as much as I enjoyed their near-sweep in the playoffs.</div> Yeah, okay. So when someone grabs you by the neck and throws you to the floor, you can't possibly be hurt.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, okay. So when someone grabs you by the neck and throws you to the floor, you can't possibly be hurt. </div> [sarcasm] Well you can't hurt Jesus, so I agree with his comments.[/sarcasm] It's amazing how Kobe's name seems to pop up in a lot of debates. I noticed THE DREAM likes to mention him. I think you secretly route for him and sport his jersey when you're cheering the Rocket Rowdy section. Just like Jesus, Kobe is everywhere, they are one.
First of all, I don't know why all of a sudden this turned into a how kobe takes the hit debate. But, since we're on that topic. I was thought that closline wasnt such a bad thing. I know kobe could of gotten hurt, but i thought it swumg momentum for a bit, but the suns still won. To all you guys who like to compaer baseball and basketball, the commish of the MLB Bud Selig, is a great commish. When players get suspended it because the are on roids *cough* BONDS *cough* or they did something really bad. When they leave their dug out, it's becauce they want to protect their teammates, but if a few players stand out as guys who kept going anf fighting, he suspends them by days...not games. I think the reason for the suspensions is becuase of how strong NBA players are. They are way stronger then MLB players, and could really gurt someone. a baseball player can be a guy off the street with some bat power. But a ball player is a built well rounded athelete. So I think stern dosn't want these massive stars fighting becuase of the seriousness of injury that could occur. So suspensions are harsher. And to all your guys who said your goign to STOP watching the playoffs becuase of stern...why? So you don't like a suspension, live with it. You can cry it out here ( no offense, i do it too) I know you guys love ball, so watch, there is more drama now. Guys want revenge ( or vengence, which ever is sweeter, but thats another debate) I am for sure gunna watch, it gunna be fun and entertaning. No need to deprive yourself of basketball becuase a couple of guys who run a pro league suspend guys for a dumb reason, and don't suspend others when they need to be suspended *cough* BOWEN *cough*. So in turn, I'm gunna watch, regardless of what is happining, its still ball, and if you love it, watch it.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^^^one of the reasons I won't watch is because of the repeated stupidity of our league....and yes I'm a diehard basketball fan, but Utah and S.A. isn't the most "exciting" series as an everyday basketball fan...sorry, it's just the way I feel....</div> Are you serious? Watching basketball how it's suppose to be played is less entertaining than watching Kobe or T-Mac take 50 FT's? The league is ridiculous with the star treatment they give people. Utah, SA, and Detroit play basketball how it's suppose to be played, their systems are the best I've seen in the NBA. It's fun to watch the Run n' Gun systems, but when they're in halfcourt, they don't do anything effectively. Or these teams that have star players that they'll give the ball to, they go one on one, and hope for a foul. They play 5 guys for a reason, so when you don't use all of them all the time, that comes back to hurt you in the playoffs when you face these teams that slow the pace down. Utah exposed Rafer Alston, and the rest of their role players. Spurs exposed the Nuggets, they just aren't the same team since they traded Andre Miller, much more star oriented team. Then when Utah faced the W's, when they slowed them down, Utah exposed how unorganized the W's were. They are fun to watch while they're in full throttle, but when they're in a halfcourt game, of course they're not fun to watch cuz they look like my high school JV team. So if you want to watch faster pace teams, more power too you, but real die-hard fans have to appreciate the style Utah and Spurs play. I know Matt Harpring isn't the athletic beast that every NBA team has now days, but he's someone that plays with all heart and will. Harpring isn't going to throw it down from the FT line, he's going to get these gritty, hard fought, contested layups. I guess it's cuz I'm a Utah fan, but they style they play should be appreciated a lot more. <div class="quote_poster">The Legend Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Invalid Video Link Does that look like exageration?</div> [Sarcasm] Kobe obviously flopped here, he looks like an Italian from the World Cup[Sarcasm/]
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">[sarcasm] Well you can't hurt Jesus, so I agree with his comments.[/sarcasm] It's amazing how Kobe's name seems to pop up in a lot of debates. I noticed THE DREAM likes to mention him. I think you secretly route for him and sport his jersey when you're cheering the Rocket Rowdy section. Just like Jesus, Kobe is everywhere, they are one. </div> I think Kobe is even more hated because of fans that say stupid things likt that.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Kobe is even more hated because of fans that say stupid things likt that.</div> There's a at the end for a reason there. The Suns lead by 11 at halftime!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you serious? Watching basketball how it's suppose to be played is less entertaining than watching Kobe or T-Mac take 50 FT's? The league is ridiculous with the star treatment they give people. Utah, SA, and Detroit play basketball how it's suppose to be played, their systems are the best I've seen in the NBA. It's fun to watch the Run n' Gun systems, but when they're in halfcourt, they don't do anything effectively. Or these teams that have star players that they'll give the ball to, they go one on one, and hope for a foul. They play 5 guys for a reason, so when you don't use all of them all the time, that comes back to hurt you in the playoffs when you face these teams that slow the pace down. Utah exposed Rafer Alston, and the rest of their role players. Spurs exposed the Nuggets, they just aren't the same team since they traded Andre Miller, much more star oriented team. Then when Utah faced the W's, when they slowed them down, Utah exposed how unorganized the W's were. They are fun to watch while they're in full throttle, but when they're in a halfcourt game, of course they're not fun to watch cuz they look like my high school JV team. So if you want to watch faster pace teams, more power too you, but real die-hard fans have to appreciate the style Utah and Spurs play. I know Matt Harpring isn't the athletic beast that every NBA team has now days, but he's someone that plays with all heart and will. Harpring isn't going to throw it down from the FT line, he's going to get these gritty, hard fought, contested layups. I guess it's cuz I'm a Utah fan, but they style they play should be appreciated a lot more. </div> I'm really impressed with the Jazz and how they play. Plus their team is loaded with talent and is very balanced. They can run and they can execute in the half court. I used to be a Jazz fan back in the nineties. I was a big Stockton fan and it was amazing to watch them in the Finals. I hope they get to the finals this year. Maybe this is because I'm a Warriors fan but I think that run-n-gun can be effective, though I agree they need a half-court offense and to keep their composure (like what the Suns have developed to an extent and plus they have some size with Amare and Marion plays bigger than he is), but this style does have potential, but a lot of talent and athleticism is needed, while the Jazz and Spurs, although they are talented do not require as much because of the team play and execution in their systems, meaning they can live with having a Jaque Vaughn and Brent Barry come off the bench. It's just harder to find players for Run-N-Gun. Because if you can play Run-N-Gun with a 9-10 man rotation, it would be much more effective. The problem with the Warriors in the last series was fatigue. They ran out of gas in the fourth quarter every game, except game 3. Part of that is inexperience too and also the Jazz defense and their team stepping up, especially Fish. The Warriors just didn't get contributions from all 8 players and as the series wore on, the Jazz really beat them up and the Warriors had been playing full speed since March, just trying to make the playoffs. Look at the Suns tonight. They played a very short rotation tonight and spent so much energy that they got worn out in the fourth quarter. But the Suns do have a legit chance to win this series. Tonight was a big blow though.
