The biggest story in the NBA for the last week has been the suspensions of Phoenix Suns forwards Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw for standing and moving a combined 25 feet or so off the bench and then immediately retreating. This was in response to Spurs reserve forward Robert Horry hip checking 2 time MVP Steve Nash into the scorers' table with an obvious cheap shot. This was not an isolated incident in the series: Spurs starter Bruce Bowen kneed Nash in the crotch and tried to kick out Stoudamire's Achilles earlier in the series. With 2 of their top 4 forwards suspended for pivotal game 5, the Suns ran out of gas after leading for 45 out of 48 minutes and went on to lose game 6 and the series. Commissioner David Stern is being criticized for rewarding the Spurs for dirty play.
The biggest story in the NFL right now is the pending suspensions to Bears DT Tank Johnson and Falcons QB Michael Vick for gun charges and running a dog fighting ring, respectively. Johnson recently completing 60 days in a minimum security prison for violating his probation. Commissioner Roger Goodell is being lauded for giving suspensions to NFL players who are running afoul of the law.
So in what should be the NBA's showcase series, the NBA loses fans and draws criticism. And in what should be the teeth of the NFL's offseason, the NFL gains some measure of positive press despite a Super Bowl starter getting jail time and a star quarterback being involved in disgusting acts. David Stern should take notes.
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