David Stern, Strict Constructionist
May 16, 2007
In what was probably the most highly anticipated and now definitely, closely watched playoff series in the NBA postseason, the Suns and the Spurs continued to try to settle the great basketball debate: Does Offense or Defense win playoff games? Now, while it’s acknowledged that teams that play tough defense are often unfairly accused of dirty play (see: NY Knicks during the Pat Riley years), the San Antonio Spurs have crossed a line. The fouls are no longer clean, hard fouls; they are unjustifiably vicious. Yet Bruce Bowen’s knee to Nash’s groin in Game 3 went practically unpunished. Bizarrely, that action didn’t draw a flagrant foul when it occurred; Bowen received a meaningless reprimand following the end of the game. This came on the heels of Bowen’s kick to Stoudemire’s heel in Game 2 that drew some much-publicized criticism from Stoudemire, a sentiment echoed by many in the NBA community. Perhaps emboldened by the lack of action taken against his teammate, Robert Horry joined the San Antonio Fight Club (Tony Parker also drew blood from Nash’s face in Game 1, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that was an accident). Horry committed a rough foul out of frustration – a hip-check into the boards in a sport that doesn’t actually have a provision for hip checks.
Following the end of Game 4, three players were suspended: Horry for two games, Stoudemire and Suns teammate Boris Diaw for one each. David Stern’s decision (on PTI, his “I’m the Decider” speech leaves no doubt as to who made the determination) has been maligned by many a pundit who assert that the suspensions have missed the spirit of the law while adhering to the letter. The rules governing suspensions and such situations were designed to prevent bench-clearing brawls which the league finds embarrassing. Again, NHL hockey this is not. But by suspending Stoudemire and Diaw, Stern punished people for a reflex action. Such is the human spirit, and such is the fraternity that is an NBA team, that when a teammate is assailed in an egregious manner, the reaction is generally to stand up for yourself and your brother. Since neither Stoudemire nor Diaw threw a punch nor escalated the altercation in any manner, neither should have received a punishment as harsh as the one meted out by the league. A fine would have been sufficient. The rules should evolve and be interpreted to best serve the league – just as the US Constitution allows room for interpretation through the Supreme Court and evolution through the provision for Amendments. The league and the game were not served by the Suns’ suspensions.
Everyone understands that David Stern wants to reign in the “violence” in the league and clean up its supposedly thug-like image. But suspending the Suns leading scorer for walking towards a teammate who’d been battered by an opposing player? It’s false bravado on the part of a commissioner who is afraid to look like he’s playing favorites. That he’s put the Suns at a huge disadvantage must have occurred to him, yet he continues to claim the decision is fair. Fair would be actually investigating the numerous claims against Bowen whose play – even if it is just tough defense – could prove to be injurious to an opposing player. Why should Bowen be allowed to clip at Achilles tendons and knee people in the groin, but Stoudemire get fined and suspended for taking a walk?
Postscript
During halftime of tonight’s Cleveland-New Jersey game, Charles Barkley claimed Nash may have exaggerated the injury by throwing his arms over his head after flying into the boards and onto the floor. This is a classic case of throwing stones at the victim while the bully walks away laughing. Note to Sir Charles: Steve Nash, more so than anyone in this series, has exuded sportsmanlike conduct and has taken many a beating from the Spurs in this series. In game 1, Nash stopped to ask Tony Parker if he was ok while Parker lay on the floor having opened up a gaping wound over Nash’s nose. He never publicly complained about getting kneed by Bowen either. If anyone’s behavior needs to be scrutinized for being questionable, it’s not Steve Nash.