I Don't See a Fat Lady

As you've probably already heard, Robert Horry hip checked Steve Nash in game 4 causing Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw to run out onto the court in his defense and get suspended for tonight's Game 5. Horry was also suspended for games 5 and 6. The Suns are now missing their leading scorer and a very important role player, but don't expect them to wave any white flags.

Today's reaction by nearly everyone in the basketball world was one of surprise and outrage. From Charles Barkley to Mike D'Antoni, everyone seems to think that David Stern and Stu Jackson are gift wrapping this series and mailing it to the Spurs.

I don't buy it.

The biggest and easiest point that needs to be made is that this exact same thing happened 10 years ago when P.J. Brown helped Charlie Ward do a cart wheel into the third row. More players were suspended on the Knicks than the Heat and Miami ended up winning that series. That game makes the Amare/Boris suspensions acceptable and not as ridiculous as everyone is saying, but the fact of the matter is that they broke a clearly stated rule. I expect once this season is over, especially if the Spurs end up winning this series, that this rule is changed.



I have the Spurs winning the championship, but I'll go out on a limb and say that Game 5 is definitely not a lock. The Suns will go short: Steve Nash (1), Barbosa (2), Raja (ding-a-ling) Bell (3), Shawn Marion (4), and Kurt Thomas (5), but expect him to get into foul trouble real quick. They'll run and gun for 4 quarters with a ride or die attitude AND they're playing at home. On top of that, Barkley is guaranteeing a Suns win (just look at his gambling record...this one's a lock).

I still think that the Spurs will win, but the game will be undecided headed into the 4th quarter. There's no chance for a blow out.

In order for the Suns to pull out a victory, Leandro Barbosa must drop at least 25 points and hit at least 10 free throws. Barbosa's the key to the Suns tonight...mark my words.



Now I've got some other Playoff points to make...

• I'm more relieved than Tony Soprano when Christopher died now that the Jazz/Warriors series is over. It was way too predictable and painful to watch, not to mention the fact that Utah's Gordon Giricek looks like the last person I'd expect to see playing in an NBA game. Not since Chris Dudley have I had to Google a player just to make sure the NBA hadn't started a raffle that would allow fans to come out of the stands and play for their favorite team.
• Speaking of Utah, in last night's game, Doug Collins compared Paul Millsap to Moses Malone because he missed a lay up, got his own rebound and was fouled. I know Doug Collins knows his stuff and I'm not picking on just him, but I swear every time a player gets their own rebound an announcer makes a comparison to Moses Malone. This needs to stop.
• I've been saying this all my life. In the future, professional athletes will have mics on at all times and we'll get to hear what they're saying during games. I'm really looking forward to whenever this happens, but I'm pretty sure the NBA's waiting for Rasheed Wallace and Stephen Jackson to retire. These two guys do NOT stop talking.
• Vince Carter is nearly a lock to be in a Nets jersey next season unless the Bobcats decide to pony up and over pay for a very overrated basketball player. He's played like crap against the Cavs.
  
• This will be my last post before Tuesday's lottery. Until then I'll be studying for my finals and praying in solitude.