I don't believe in conspiracy theories, but I do wonder about consistency in rulings. Violence in the sports arena should never be accepted nor tolerated. The way the current rules are structured, the team causing the ruckus gets the lesser penalty. It would seem that part of strategy could include inserting a lesser player to "stir the pot" in hopes of "baiting" the other teams players to respond. Instinct is that teammates defend each other - it is probably reactionary. Whatever the case, it worked for San Antonio as they got the best end of this deal. Perhaps another lesson learned would be, if you're going to go on the court during an altercation, make it worth your while. Go after the opponent's BIG name player so that he gets suspended too. Of the recently completed Warriors-Jazz series, I thought the(1) Baron Davis cheap shot on Fisher was the most blatent, followed by (2,tie)the shot to the head of Boozer in Game 4 (3rd quarter) as he was driving to the basket and the shot to the head of Andrei Kirilenko in Game 5 (3rd quarter?)again driving to the basket. The fact that Stern took no action (except to upgrade Baron Davis' foul to a Flagrant grade 2) was indicative that this stuff can happen with little consequence. No suspensions, no hurt to the Warriors, and consequently numerous tense situations in Game 5. I remember when Stern threatened to suspend Karl Malone for having blinking lights in his shoes (because such would create a spectacle), yet did nothing to Dennis Rodman who was a walking tatoo artist with flourescent colored hair and plenty of body piercing. Now really, which created the greater spectacle? Blinking shoe lights or Mr. Rodman? Perhaps the NBA does have an agenda.....it is called TV ratings (or in other words $$$$$$$$$$). I would hope not, but you start to wonder sometimes.

I didn't know which thread to post this on but you should see this.
http://warriors.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/15/tim-duncan-left-the-bench-too-will-he-be-suspended/2#comments

Duncan AND Bowen were past the three point line when there was a brief temper flare and where is their suspension? It is flat out ridiculous the way the NBA is working right now! I don't know how much Stern has to do with the punishments but there are major inconsistensies right now with who gets suspended for what.

Go Cougs!!! & Jazz!!!

I am all about rules and cleaning up the NBA, but I don't get this. In the same week that the NBA showed leniency to Bowen for what they deemed intentionally kneeing Nash in the groin, Davis for intentionally elbowing Fisher in the head (away from the play no less) and Richardson for throwing Okur to the floor, none of whom were suspended. And then Stoudemire and Diaw have the book thrown at them not for anything they did to anyone, or said to anyone, but because of where they were. I also find it ironic that the picture underneath the caption "Three Suspended" shows a bunch of players being restrained by refs and each other, and yet no one in the picture was being suspended. I think that if you are going to throw the book at some then you have to throw it at Duncan and Bowen as well for entering the court earlier. If only James had shoved Elson, then it would have been an "altercation" and Duncan and Bowen would be suspended. Basically that is what the league is saying.

Also this ruling should only encourage the Suns to seek revenge. Just wait for Duncan and Parker to be on the bench and then send in some goon to body slam Ginobli. It could work in your favor. Why not? Baseball has its revenge with bean balls, which often gets pitcher and manager ejected, but they still do it to show they won't be intimidated. I guess Stern and Stu Jackson think it is time to bring this into the game.

pcs-2006 wrote:

I am all about rules and cleaning up the NBA, but I don't get this. In the same week that the NBA showed leniency to Bowen for what they deemed intentionally kneeing Nash in the groin, Davis for intentionally elbowing Fisher in the head (away from the play no less) and Richardson for throwing Okur to the floor, none of whom were suspended. And then Stoudemire and Diaw have the book thrown at them not for anything they did to anyone, or said to anyone, but because of where they were. I also find it ironic that the picture underneath the caption "Three Suspended" shows a bunch of players being restrained by refs and each other, and yet no one in the picture was being suspended. I think that if you are going to throw the book at some then you have to throw it at Duncan and Bowen as well for entering the court earlier. If only James had shoved Elson, then it would have been an "altercation" and Duncan and Bowen would be suspended. Basically that is what the league is saying.

Also this ruling should only encourage the Suns to seek revenge. Just wait for Duncan and Parker to be on the bench and then send in some goon to body slam Ginobli. It could work in your favor. Why not? Baseball has its revenge with bean balls, which often gets pitcher and manager ejected, but they still do it to show they won't be intimidated. I guess Stern and Stu Jackson think it is time to bring this into the game.

Looks like the Suns should put Rodman on retainer and activate him for the playoffs in the future, just for "sacrificial purposes".

ammoncougar1 wrote:

I didn't know which thread to post this on but you should see this.

http://warriors.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/15/tim-duncan-left-the-bench-too-will-he-be-suspended/2#comments

Duncan AND Bowen were past the three point line when there was a brief temper flare and where is their suspension? It is flat out ridiculous the way the NBA is working right now! I don't know how much Stern has to do with the punishments but there are major inconsistensies right now with who gets suspended for what.

Go Cougs!!! & Jazz!!!

From what I understand they weren't suspended as it was ruled that there was not an altercation on the court - in which there would be no suspension.

Nobody likes the decision, but think about what everyone would be saying if it were the other way around. What if it were the Spurs getting suspended and not the Suns? That would be justice right? Everyone on this board is either Suns fans or Jazz fans. I hate to say this but a lot of people sound exactly like other MWC teams fans, nobody cares if BYU is not doing so well but then when we have a good football season it's a conspiracy or we get preferential treatment by the league or it's the return missionaries.