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 AP Photo/LM Otero |
Robert Horry can definitely turn the tide in any series. He’s done it before. But in a negative way? I’ve seen him get frustrated before, but I can’t think of any of this magnitude until last night.
With less than a minute left to play, Big Shot Rob delivered a big shot elbow to Steve Nash, which sent him flying into the scorers table. Not only did he confirm the “dirty Spurs” accusation, but created a conflict within the NBA organization. Did Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire react in a way that deserves a one-game suspension? According to the NBA rulebook, yes. But as Charles Barkley suggested in the TNT post-game recap, he felt the rule was put in place to remedy an active situation…one where players leave the bench to add to the altercation. That’s not the end of the “conflict” that the NBA has to analyze.
There’s the Bruce Bowen “stuff” that was enforced with a soft hand slap. Stoudamire and Diaw did nothing physical. Spurs fans may disagree, but I seriously doubt the NBA will suspend either player. Personally, I’d love to see everyone intact on both teams — it would give more meaning to the matchup and make for some exciting basketball.
ESPN’s Marc Stein makes a great observation of the series. Unfortunately, I couldn’t agree more.
If there’s such a thing as a 2-2 lead, it looks like Phoenix has one after this grittier-than-ever comeback. The Suns got stops in the fourth quarter. They had plenty of chances to fold and hung in instead.
We can also blame Pop for sitting Duncan too long after collecting his 5th foul. I had a few choice words for Pop last night. And everyone around the office is up in arms this morning. We had that game in the bag. Now we have to go back to their place. The ball is definitely in the Suns’ court…so to speak.
You can read the rest of Marc Stein’s Spurs/Suns Game 4 analysis at ESPN.com.
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May 15th, 2007 at 9:47 am
That foul was absolutely ridiculous to say the least. I agree that Rob has changed games dramatically in the past and with that being said is the reason why he is still in the league. I am also a bit old school and appreciate hard fouls but there is no place in the game for this. I also saw the post game on TNT and agree that if the rule is called the way it is written, Rob won’t be the only one suspended. Phoenix will lose two players as well and S.A. in all account will take a 3-2 series lead. Bottom line, Rob still delivered, “changed the game”, and got exactly what he wanted.
I don’t think anyone should be suspended either, fine Rob $50k, give Boris and Amare $10k each (slap on the wrist) and play ball. But if you look at the recent history of suspensions in the league I don’t think it will play out that way at all. And for what? Teammates protect teammates as it should be, and anyone who plays a game probably would have done the same thing.
I hope I am wrong and can continue to watch a good series since my Bulls are all but done.
May 15th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Doesn’t Steve Nash look like a little brother stuggling to fight his older brother in this picture?
An awesome playoff series, with physicality and bad blood…I love it.
Spurs in 7.
May 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
PHX in 7. I love Steve Nash.