It's a shame that tonight's game against the Suns isn't on national television (no, nbatv doesn't count) because we would be treated to about 70 replays of Robert Horry hip checking Steve Nash.  We would probably hear about how the Suns would have won it all, if not for that foul.  I would love to see the Phoenix broadcast of the game to hear their spin.  Certainly we will hear that Cheap Shot Rob made his impact on the series.  We will hear that Diaw and Stoudemire should have known better and not left the bench.  But the one thing we won't hear, is that it was Steve Nash's fault and he cost the Phoenix Suns the series against the Spurs in the '07 playoffs.

First, let me make a couple things clear about how I see things.  Do I think Horry deserved a two game suspension?  No.  Do I think he should have been suspended one game?  No, not really.  The league's suspension policy is inconsistent to say the least.  The league says Horry was suspended one game for an excessive foul on Nash and another game for getting his elbow up in Raja Bell's "head and shoulder" area.  These two plays also took place in the same round of the playoffs and happened in the same game:

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and

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The first one is just a very dangerous play.  Richardson was given a flagrant foul, but was not suspeneded.  The second one, and I admit the video is shitty and you can't see what happens, was a dirty play.  I saw it live and I will tell you what happens.  Baron misses his shot, trots up court, then angles back and elbows Derek Fisher.  He hits him in the shoulder and side of the head.  The kind of thing where it glances the elbow and then tags him against the ear.  The league didn't even fine Davis, much less suspend him.  


So, while I think Horry did knock Nash pretty good and in somewhat of a dangerous play, it wasn't as bad as either of the plays in Warriors-Jazz game.

Do I think Diaw and Stoudemire should have been suspended?  No, not really.  I think they were concerned about Nash's health, at least at firt.  I think if the foul had occurred anywhere else on the court, there is a good chance they wouldn't have left the immediate bench area.  But, a rule is a rule and an altercation did break out.

An altercation did break out, which is how the rule was interpreted.  I know David Stern says it is a black and white rule, but that's horseshit.  No rule is black and white.  Many Suns fans will be quick to point out that Duncan wasn't suspeneded for this.  

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The ruling, there was no altercation.  So, we get to my original point.  It was Steve Nash's fault.  


Let me remind people of a few things:  One, the Spurs beat the Suns in game 1 in Phoenix.  Steve responded with:

"Very surprising, very frustrating," he said. "How many times can you talk about it? We just have to have a bigger heart and continue to push through these invisible barriers that seem to pop up. I don't know what they are, but sometimes we just don't play as hard as we should."

"I think our confidence did grow," Nash said. "I think this [Spurs] team has had a psychological hold on us . . . so I think it's important for us to break through that tonight."

"Tonight was a lot closer to what we need and in San Antonio it's going to have to be even more. It's probably good for us psychologically to know that we're capable of doing it. It'll give us some good feelings going down to San Antonio."

So, to sum up, you have the team leader, Steve Nash, questioning the heart and desire of his players.  And, you have the coach bemoaning the physical nature of the series and how his team is not being physical.


I know you have been dying to see it, so here it is, The Foul


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I want you to watch around the 3:00 mark of this.  In particular, at 3:05.  Two things that are of interest here.  One, Stoudemire, is looking and walking passed Nash.  He is headed to the altercation.  He is NOT headed to Nash -- nor to check in.  But, whatever.  Two, watch Steve Nash.  He's just lying there holding the ball.  At first, stunned I would imagine.  Then, when he gathers his senses, he does what I find to be odd.  He jumps up and bolts for the skirmish.  Why didn't he just lay their in the revelation of a great comeback victory that had turned the tide in the series?  Why didn't he smile and think, "hey, now we are in their heads."  Well, he couldn't because he'd questioned the heart of his team and he had to show that he wasn't going to back down.  In essence, it became more about manliness than winning.  And when your priorities get messed up like that, when it becomes more about showing your toughness than winning, you will sometimes pay the price.


I also think a fair amount of blame should go to Raja Bell, their one naturally tough and physical player, for going after Horry.  If it hadn't been for Bell and Nash's actions, then there would not have been an altercation.  And if there had not been an altercation, then there would not have been any suspensions.


As a Spurs fan over the last couple years, I've seen Manu take some vicious shots.  Most notably the Nuggets series two years ago.  But, I don't recall Manu ever getting up and going after somebody like Nash did.  For Manu, it's always about winning.  He never questions his toughness, therefore, he doesn't have to show us that he is tough.  Nash had to show his teammates he was tough, and it cost them.