NBA just doesn't get it

[Spider TX]

I have two huge issues with the NBA after watching this series. This series had it all, great emotion, great play, and an unending amount of drama from the 2 best remaining teams, and they played in the SECOND round! The NHL is as pathetic of a sport as there is in my mind, but at least they understand that reseeding keeps the best chance for the best remaining teams to meet when it gets even more important. It disgusted me to know that either the Jazz or Warriors were going to advance futher than one of these 2 powerhouse teams, when clearly they were far better than either of those 2. Nevermind that the Jazz beat the Suns 3 times this season, when it came down to it, the Suns would have walloped them in a series much like the Spurs are probably going to. Stern needs to realize reseeding is important so the best teams remaining play for conference titles. Otherwise, what is the point of 82 games once the first round is over. Really there is none.

My other issue is the suspension part of this series. I'm not complaining because Amare and Diaw were suspended, because they broke the rule that is there. I'm complaining because of the rule itself. It's absolutely utterly ridiculous. 2 guys jump up because of a scuffle, but get no closer than about 12 feet, and get tossed for a game of a very important series. I understand the desire to protect, but there really needs to be some involvement in order to be suspended. Hell, even in major league baseball, the least contact sport, every single player including NON ROSTER BULLPEN CATCHERS runs onto the field during a fight, but never suffer when they aren't adding the an problems. The NBA needs to pay attention to the NFL, a league that gets it in all aspects. Rarely are guys ever suspended, and yes it's a contact sport, but the league lets them play, just takes their money when necessary. Again, this is no complaint about them missing that game, they knew that rule, and broke it, but the rule needs to be modified to let players compete and keep teams at fullest possible strength.

All that said, job well done Spurs and enjoy it fans. Good luck the rest of the way.

[samikeyp]

The rule needs to be changed.

[violentkitten]

:baby

[exstatic]

The rule needs to be changed.
I doubt they change it. It was initiated after some brutal fights between MIA and the NYK. Players haven't shown any restraint in fighting the last few years to merit changing it. On the contrary.

Oh, and Amare got a LOT closer than 12 feet. Nash got walloped on the PHO side of the court, and the "action", such as it was, was midcourt, or maybe a bit to PHO side. Amare got all the way past the coaching box, and was about 4-5 feet away when they pulled him back. Watch it again, without the rose colored glasses this time.

[MadDog73]

Thanks for the congrats. Suns are a great team that never gave up.

I won't address the suspension thing, because it's been argued to death...

however, I do like the discussion about the seedings. Last year it was the NBAs fault: Dallas and Spurs should have been the WCF.

This year, it was all Dallas' fault. They had the best record, they blew it. I believe the Warriors should get rewarded for beating the number one seed. As it happened, the Jazz won anyway.

All that would have changed is the Spurs would have played the Jazz one round earlier, and Suns would have faced the Warriors in the second round... not sure why you guys would want that.

You have to beat the best to advance. Sometimes, you have to beat the best a little earlier. In the end, it all works out the same.

[Spider TX]

I know the chances of them changing it much are very slim, even if needed to be changed. But I have little doubt that some small modification comes about in fear of this exact situation arising again in the playoffs of a great series.

[MadDog73]

Oh, and the point of the regular season is not just the Seedings. It's also homecourt.

[exstatic]

I think the rule has kept some of these fights the last few years from being worse. It's pretty simple: DON'T STEP ON THE COURT IF YOU AREN'T IN THE GAME. I think it would make it harder for the players if you put conditions or interpretations on it. Leave it the fuck alone.

[samikeyp]

I doubt they change it too. I would like to see it though.

[Vito Corleone]

During the 80's and most of the 90's the Super Bowl was never worth watching because the two best teams were always in the NFC. My opinion is there is nothing to change it was a great series but it isn't the first time nor will it be the last time the best series happened in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Even if they change it this still would happened. The two best teams don't always have the best records, this series means nothing if San Antonio loses to Utah or in the Finals.

As for the rule, I could care less if the rule changes, it is what it is, it is a non-issue if everyone can control themselves and stay on the bench. BTW here is something to think about what if that rule wasn't in place? Who is to say that the coaches do anything to stop Amare and Diaw from escalating this into an all-out fight where both are kicked out of the series for more than 1 game. The biggest reason the coaches make such a big deal about keeping players on the bench is this rule.

[Spider TX]

The thing I'm saying about the seedings is with each round, have the best remaining team play the lowest reamining seed, so that way in the conference finals, the best remaining play for it. That's where hockey does well, and maybe one of the only ways. The NFL is also set up that way. In the second round, the 1 seed always plays the lowest seed, so they must wait to see who wins to know who to prepare for. Last year in the NBA it was messed up with Dallas being a 4 with the 2nd best record, that was modified correctly, but the Suns and Spurs should have been playing this year fo the right to play in the finals, not to see who plays the winner of two teams with worse records in their own conference. The East was off too, the opponents should have been switched for the Cavs and Pistons, but it worked out over there because they didnt meet each other.