I really used to like Robert Horry. His years with the Lakers remind me of the golden days, some of the best years of my life.
That team ““ when an athletic Shaq and youthful Kobe were complemented by Derek Fisher, Devean George, Rick Fox and Horry, represents the epitome of NBA excellence in my mind. The dynasty-esque Laker years, oh the good ole’ days.
But after Horry’s new team’s performance against the Suns, that memory has been tarnished, scarred forever.
I’ve never liked the Spurs, or the Suns for that matter really. As Laker conference rivals, how could I? But I always had respect. Tim Duncan and Steve Nash are what basketball stars should be: talented and motivational, yet humble and intelligent. I felt obligated to at least respect San Antonio for the performance it continued to put out on the court year after year.
Then this series happened.
It began with Nash’s bloody nose after a Tony Parker head-butt in the fourth quarter. But the head-butt looked accidental and Nash actually apologized to Parker because he thought he hit him harder, so we’ll let that one slide.
Then in game two, Bruce Bowen brought his foot to the back of Amare Stoudemire’s leg. Stoudemire cried foul, but the video replay seemed to be teetering on that line between accident and rage. There wasn’t enough evidence to really do anything so we’ll let that one slide too.
Then it started to get pretty sketchy when Bowen attacked again, kneeing Nash in the groin.
But Horry went too far. This wasn’t an old-school block or whatever his excuse was. It was a full-on body-check of Nash into the media desk. He says Nash flopped, but I simply don’t believe that.
The Spurs’ antics are beyond tolerable at this point. One of these incidents alone would be somewhat acceptable, but all of them combined casts a shadow of doubt on this team’s credibility.
And the worse part is, the Suns are suffering for it, not the Spurs. Sure Horry gets suspended for two games, but he barely averages over 4 points per game. Stoudemire and Boris Diaw get suspended for getting up off their chairs. Somewhat understandable because they broke a rule no matter what the context, but nothing happens when Bowen kicks Stoudemire and knees Nash in the groin? Are you kidding me, David Stern?
Let’s play a game ““ it’s called find the hypocrisy.
Gregg Popovich just adds to my anger, saying Horry’s foul was “an end-of-the-game foul.” Oh, you’re right, that makes it excusable then doesn’t it?
Duncan, I still respect you for being so humble, so maybe you should find another home. San Antonio doesn’t deserve you.
The sports world is riddled with controversy and turmoil, and it’s such a shame. It looks like half the NFL is going to jail. Even more players are in the middle of a steroid investigation in the MLB. Not much was going on in the NBA, everything was smooth sailing. Until this happened.
He was Big Shot Rob. I will always remember him for that. But this display of unacceptable aggression on the court by him and his team is beyond me, and for that I can’t watch anymore. If the Spurs win tonight and go on to win the NBA finals, I will be ashamed and put a mental asterisk next to this year forever. The only possible way my respect will be earned again is if Arron Afflalo ends up in San Antonio.
I resign myself to college basketball forever.
E-mail Wenzel at awenzel@media.ucla.edu.