One way or another, Robert Horry always gets his man.
The player best known for knocking out opponents with late-game shots delivered yet another important blow last night, but this time in the form of a well-placed hip-check delivered to Phoenix point guard Steve Nash.
I don't think Big Shot Bob is an intentionally dirty player, but he's always been a guy to do the little things, and according to some folks, that would include committing a hard playoff foul. But with the circumstances - the fact the Spurs had blown a large lead, that Nash is the Sun's best player, and the outcome of the game was basically decided - the foul was indeed a cheap play. When I first saw it, I felt it was the manifestation of a veteran team's frustration of allowing their young rival to steal a game they had in hand. It was a game that was to serve as the Sun's stepping stone to alter the series and have the inside track at eliminating the Spurs...that is, until Horry sent Nash flying into the scorer's table.
Now, it's Spurs in six.
Just hours ago, the NBA handed down its suspensions for the incident; two games for Horry, one game apiece for Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw, who left the bench to defend Nash. When you break it down, the Spurs lose a complementary player, while the Suns lose their best big man and low post scoring option, plus one of their best perimeter players. That means Game 5, which before this whole mess looked like a chance for Phoenix to seize control of the series, should be an easy win for SanAn, with their opportunity to close it out at home in Game 6.
I pains me to say it, because Phoenix is infinitely more entertaining to watch, and I vastly prefer a Suns-Pistons Finals matchup to the defensive slugfest that would be Detroit-San Antonio. Plus, if we lose to Manu Ginobili's bald spot one more time, I will personally drive down to San Antonio and flop in front of his car in hopes of gaining a substantial monetary settlement. Serves him right.
So, can this young Phoenix team ride the bad back of their floppy-haired point guard to a shorthanded win? As much as I'd like to say yes...no chance. Bill Simmon's newest man crush, Tim Duncan, will just be too much; and the Spurs can smell blood. Expect a raucous crowd, an inspired effort, and a San Antonio win.
All thanks to Cheap Shot Bob.
No comments:
Post a Comment