HoopWatch

Now, who’s the sore loser?

San Antonio’s Robert Horry threw a cheap elbow at a running Steve Nash, which sent the two-time MVP banging to the scorer’s table and sprawling to the floor. The incident almost ignited a free-for-all.

Horry just couldn’t handle the sorry loss emotionally. The Spurs had control of the game from the second quarter onwards, led by five at half time, had an 11-point lead going into the fourth, and had another 10-point bubble at the final eight-minute mark, all gone in an instant with the calls going either way. Finally, the pleas have been heard, it was pretty fair game as far as blown whistles were concerned.

Although, there were non-calls still. But I believe the officials handled this one justly. Bruce Bowen still continued to use his hands, but they were lesser. Manu Ginobili still wards-off with his elbow when he drives to the basket. Fabricio Oberto continued to flop, but they were obvious. Raja Bell had a fair share of flops as well, but they were less noticeable. Shawn Marion did stick his hands a couple of times, and no whistle was blown, but that’s what Spurs fans call “physicality.” Over all, it was an evenly officiated match.

The Suns took the lead for good with less than minute remaining, 98-97, after an Amare Stoudemire floater. Marion played good defense, swatting a Ginobili shot. Then, it was Nash to Stoudemire again, with the exact same play and exact same move from Amare. Then it was all free-throws for the Suns, with Nash missing 2-of-4 (obviously feeling the effects of that disastrous hit), and Marion hitting his last two for the final count of 104-98 in favor of the Suns.

Both Tim Duncan and Stoudemire were in foul trouble in this one, as finally Duncan’s antics were whistled. But Horry needed not to throw that really cheap forearm with the concealed elbow. It was adjudged a flagrant foul 2 which resulted to his ejection. He definitely deserves a suspension.

The typical physical play has almost gotten out of control. San Antonio’s physicality was all summed up with that Horry throw-down. Clearly, those things were intentional. Not to mention Bowen’s unnecessary activities on the floor, which has almost gotten (perhaps may have gotten) into Nash’s mild-mannered attitude. I would love to end this with a quote from Steve Kerr (Thanks Steve for agreeing with most of us):

“I don’t know if Bowen is the dirtiest player, but he always gets away with what he does… He is smart with his antics… He walks on that fine line…”

He’s got dirt all over him Steve, and that’s typical San Antonio defense, the secret ingredient to winning titles – plain dirty! (photos courtesy of yahoonba)