Official: 2007 NBA Playoff thread.

[batchusa]

What a dumb dumb suspension. It wasn't even a fight.

This should be strategy now. Get a bench player to instigate a fight in hopes of getting the other team off their bench and suspended. Yup, thats real basketball.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

The Spurs aren't my team. I'm a Laker fan, and there are no two teams I dislike more than the Suns and the Spurs. That being said, I still think what Amare and Diaw did was dumb.

What should have happened:

1. Horry fouls Nash hard resulting in a 2 game suspension.
2. All Suns bench players stay put and let the players on the court settle things.
3. Bell gets in Horry's face and has some choice words. Nothing warranting a suspension.
4. Suns tie it up 2-2 and bring the series back home and torch the Spurs.
5. Suns go up 3-2 and potentially win the series.

Instead they messed up because they let the Spurs rattle them. The Spurs are winning this series mentally, the Suns have shown time and time again that they are not mentally tough enough to be a championship caliber squad. This game should have been a Spurs win anyways, they dominated for almost 4 quarters of the game but gave it up in the last 5 minutes. Now they have the advantage and will beat the Suns and most likely become the champions.

Does it suck? Of course, this is not how basketball games should be decided. But rules are rules, and NBA players have shown that they are not civilized enough to be trusted when a fight breaks out to keep escalating things to a bench clearing brawl. It is their own fault.

 

[GPett]

Bah, basketball as an organization is lead by pansies. If players want to brawl let them brawl, asess the in game fouls, and move on. Why are the organisations, press, and fans so averse to grown men settling things like grown men?

I hate how carebear America has become.

 

[wkabel23]

Whatever, Suns will have to play amazing bball to win tomorrow. You have to be kidding yourself though, if you think these suspensions are even close to fair. Horry is getting pinned for the dirty plays by Bowen and Amare and Diaw are the victims of a ridiculous rule and the inability of the NBA to use common sense and discretion. Convienently though, the Elson/Jones incident isn't an "altercation." Wouldn't want Duncan to miss a game now would we?

I'm not actually that cynical, but come on: the NBA is simply stupid in their decision. Bleet like a sheep all you want about rules are rules, but if that was the case, we'd still be under British rule, etc. etc. If you have executives with the power to override a rule, but they're too stupid/biased/whatever to examine their own policies then WTF is the point of those executives? The NBA is more concerned with its image than a good game of basketball. Sad.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: GPett
Bah, basketball as an organization is lead by pansies. If players want to brawl let them brawl, asess the in game fouls, and move on. Why are the organisations, press, and fans so averse to grown men settling things like grown men?

I hate how carebear America has become.

Two words: Detroit Indiana

 

[UncleWai]

If you can't beat them, suspend them! Fvck the NBA.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Go Warriors.

 

[Miramonti]

I think the rule is a good rule and shouldn't be changed.

If the situation broke out into a fight and happened to roll over towards stoudemire and diaw, they probably would have become part of it. The rule is to prevent fights from escalating, and especially since the detroit-pacers brawl, is going to be used very strictly to try to prevent something escalating into another brawl.

There's no excuse by stoudemire and diaw, they left the bench, which time and time again has proven to be an instant suspension from the league in previous games.

 

[UncleWai]

Originally posted by: jjsole
There's no excuse by stoudemire and diaw, they left the bench, which time and time again has proven to be an instant suspension from the league in previous games.

The Suns countered by saying that Duncan and Bruce Bowen were guilty of a similar leaving-the-bench offense in Game 4's first half when San Antonio's Francisco Elson fell on the Suns' James Jones after a dunk. That play was also reviewed, but Jackson -- while conceding that Duncan "should not have been on the playing court" -- said that the league determined there was "no cause for the suspension rule" to be applied because the Elson-Jones tangle was not deemed to be an altercation.

 

[dbk]

Warriors are getting no calls in this game.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
The Spurs aren't my team. I'm a Laker fan, and there are no two teams I dislike more than the Suns and the Spurs. That being said, I still think what Amare and Diaw did was dumb.

What should have happened:

1. Horry fouls Nash hard resulting in a 2 game suspension.
2. All Suns bench players stay put and let the players on the court settle things.
3. Bell gets in Horry's face and has some choice words. Nothing warranting a suspension.
4. Suns tie it up 2-2 and bring the series back home and torch the Spurs.
5. Suns go up 3-2 and potentially win the series.

Instead they messed up because they let the Spurs rattle them. The Spurs are winning this series mentally, the Suns have shown time and time again that they are not mentally tough enough to be a championship caliber squad. This game should have been a Spurs win anyways, they dominated for almost 4 quarters of the game but gave it up in the last 5 minutes. Now they have the advantage and will beat the Suns and most likely become the champions.

Does it suck? Of course, this is not how basketball games should be decided. But rules are rules, and NBA players have shown that they are not civilized enough to be trusted when a fight breaks out to keep escalating things to a bench clearing brawl. It is their own fault.

Then you would agree that Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan should also be suspended? Rules are rules... That is what Stu Jackson and the NBA says but then they don't practice what they preach.

Yep, rules are rules, it's funny that a rule with a lot of gray area (what is considered an "altercation", it's not defined by the rule) is enforced like a simple black and white rule.

 

[GPett]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: GPett
Bah, basketball as an organization is lead by pansies. If players want to brawl let them brawl, asess the in game fouls, and move on. Why are the organisations, press, and fans so averse to grown men settling things like grown men?

I hate how carebear America has become.

Two words: Detroit Indiana

As a fan I would have loved to have been in the stands of that game. More fights should break out at games. I would probably attend more basketball games if that was the case.

 

[JRich]

Originally posted by: HopJokey

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
The Spurs aren't my team. I'm a Laker fan, and there are no two teams I dislike more than the Suns and the Spurs. That being said, I still think what Amare and Diaw did was dumb.

What should have happened:

1. Horry fouls Nash hard resulting in a 2 game suspension.
2. All Suns bench players stay put and let the players on the court settle things.
3. Bell gets in Horry's face and has some choice words. Nothing warranting a suspension.
4. Suns tie it up 2-2 and bring the series back home and torch the Spurs.
5. Suns go up 3-2 and potentially win the series.

Instead they messed up because they let the Spurs rattle them. The Spurs are winning this series mentally, the Suns have shown time and time again that they are not mentally tough enough to be a championship caliber squad. This game should have been a Spurs win anyways, they dominated for almost 4 quarters of the game but gave it up in the last 5 minutes. Now they have the advantage and will beat the Suns and most likely become the champions.

Does it suck? Of course, this is not how basketball games should be decided. But rules are rules, and NBA players have shown that they are not civilized enough to be trusted when a fight breaks out to keep escalating things to a bench clearing brawl. It is their own fault.

Then you would agree that Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan should also be suspended? Rules are rules... That is what Stu Jackson and the NBA says but then they don't practice what they preach.

Yep, rules are rules, it's funny that a rule with a lot of gray area (what is considered an "altercation", it's not defined by the rule) is enforced like a simple black and white rule.

Bowen and Duncan should be suspended also. Rules are rules.

 

[galperi1]

It hurts me to say this, but no matter what happens in the Bulls-Pistons series.... the Pistons will not win a championship this year.

As much hope as I had during the first 6 games of the playoffs, Dr Jekyll has re-appeared and the determination and focus they "claimed" to have is gone. This series should be 3-2 in the Bulls favor but the Pistons were able to dig themselves out of a hole in game 3. The off switch has been flipped and the overconfident and complacent Pistons have replaced what we saw in Games 1, 2 and the second half of game 3.

If they go on to win, instead of getting a couple days rest, there is the distinct possibility they will get the same amount of rest or even less rest than the cavs.

Detroit needs to find that killer instinct really fast....

 

[GrimmRimmer]

Man, the refs hate GS

 

[GPett]

Originally posted by: GrimmRimmer
Man, the refs hate GS

You know calls are not going to go your way in the playoffs. Especially as an underdog. GS self destructed just like they have previously in the playoffs.

Jackson is a thug and he is a cancer for golden state. Hopefully next season they can trade Jackson for someone that will bring a more professional attitude to the team. As it is now GS plays like a jail-yard team. If they are not winning they cheap-shot people and argue demonstratively at the refs.

GS lost me as a fan because I do not like their thug mentality of only showing up to play when things are already going their way.

Edit: The inconsistent officiating has screwed up both western conference series. Both series could have been better basketball to watch. But, these refs have no consistency at all in their calls. How then are the players supposed to play if they have no clue what a foul is and isn't. Basketball is plagued by its absolutely attrocious officiating. Always has and always will. (I am not saying this because GS lost. That is not why GS lost. GS self destructed. But it could have been much better basketball if the refs called the game consistently.)

 

[IAteYourMother]

horrible reffing... anyone see the blatant foul on Monta in the first half on the fast break by Okur? Ugh...

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

When Duncan got on the court it was definitely not an altercation. There is a clear difference between both incidents, go look at the tape again if you don't believe me.

Look I think this rule royally sucks. I think players should only get suspended if they participate in the fight itself, but the NBA does not want fights like Detroit-Indiana to ever happen again. The thing is fights like that ruin the legitimacy of the game. Take a look at the NHL, nobody takes it seriously because of the ridiculous fighting that is allowed.

 

[AmdInside]

This was a terrible ruling. I used to be heavily into the NBA but the quality of the game has changed and it is no longer fun. I am so glad the NFL hasn't screwed itself like the NBA has. I only watch my local NBA team on occasion. The Suns were screwed today. If I were the Suns, I would not even suit up in protest for the next game.

 

[GPett]

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
When Duncan got on the court it was definitely not an altercation. There is a clear difference between both incidents, go look at the tape again if you don't believe me.

Look I think this rule royally sucks. I think players should only get suspended if they participate in the fight itself, but the NBA does not want fights like Detroit-Indiana to ever happen again. The thing is fights like that ruin the legitimacy of the game. Take a look at the NHL, nobody takes it seriously because of the ridiculous fighting that is allowed.

My feelings are totally opposite yours. I see the NHL as the only last bastion of true competition because players are allowed to fight. If the refs cannot keep the game in controll then the players can by fighting.

All other sports would benefit from allowing players to fight because then the teams would have some way to take cheap shot players off of the play field. As it is now.. American sports are going in the direction of professional wrestling. Scripted pre-determined outcomes by the way of the refs are dictating the outcome of the game not the players.

Ugh... no thank you.

 

[Alienwho]

And the Jazz are the first to win the conference semi-finals. I don't care what all you naysayers have to say, I think it's going to be an exciting game whether they play Phoenix or SA.

 

[Drakkon]

After watching the phoenix news this morning and seeing the comments posted all over the web about this "injustice" done to Amare and Diaw I think its clear that there is going to need to be extra security tonight for the spurs from the suns fans.
I say Nash when introduced tonight needs to come outta the locker room dressed in shin guards, football pads, a boxing helmet, and a cup outside his shorts.

EDIT : Oh and cant forget - he has to come out to the rocky theme song

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
After watching the phoenix news this morning and seeing the comments posted all over the web about this "injustice" done to Amare and Diaw I think its clear that there is going to need to be extra security tonight for the spurs from the suns fans.
I say Nash when introduced tonight needs to come outta the locker room dressed in shin guards, football pads, a boxing helmet, and a cup outside his shorts.

EDIT : Oh and cant forget - he has to come out to the rocky theme song

hahah yeah.

i am impressed with Nash. he has his nose cut open, kneed in the groin and now knocked into a table.

but he still manages to kick ass playing! tough little bastard.

but anyway go bulls!

 

[NeoV]

The suspensions on Amare and Boris are a joke - I'm not a fan of either team, but if rules aren't open to some interpretation, they might as well not exist. No actions taken by the two Suns players resulted in any harm whatsoever - who cares if they took 4 or 5 steps before they were restrained by Suns' coaches - shame on the NBA for letting a really stupid play by Horry have so much impact on the next game.

For those of you saying that Horry's foul wasn't out of the ordinary, stop it - body checks are in hockey, not the NBA.

Go Cavs!

 

[supesman]

it's the coaches responsibility to prevent players from leaving the bench and they didn't do that so amare and diaw have to pay. If you look at the video it looks like amare was walking towards horry and then gets pulled back by one of the coaches so i think it was a good ruling because it really could have escalated.