SA SPURS & ROBERT “DIRTY” HORRY : SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

SA SPURS & ROBERT “DIRTY” HORRY : SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

The latest low-blow delivered by the San Antonio Spurs failed to surprise anyone, merely illustrating their win-at-any-cost strategy that is not simply an assault against opponents, but represents a repudiation of the very concept of fair-play. More disturbing is the NBA's apparent inability to sanction the worst conduct and most rogue players in a manner that rewards the good and punishes the bad. This basic standard is the very essence of an effective and just sports code.

Of course, if such an ethical line cannot be established, not only are wrongdoers encouraged in their cheating, but the very definition of “Champion” is distorted beyond recognition. For this manifest error, Commissioner David Stern has failed in the most necessary function of his duties, that of making sure elemental order and fairness are established. Sadly, the tired, indifferent and morally compromised Stern needs to resign to re-establish faith in fans and players, alike.

In the 4^th quarter of the May 15^th playoff game 6 between the New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs , Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry was on David West, who'd scored 38 points the previous game. While the contest was already a blowout favoring San Antonio, Horry delivered an arguably too-forceful shoulder into West's back, who immediately dropped like a sack of rivets, laying there for awhile. On replay, Horry appeared to show unusual determination when preparing for the hit. Thankfully, anyone with an Internet connection can visit YouTube and draw their own conclusions. But those not willing to admit Horry meant to slam into a star-player with a well-advertised back-injury, don't forget last year. Horry's hit fits with his knocking then-current NBA MVP Steve Nash into the scorer's table when the game was winding down and the Spurs had seemingly lost. The resulting Phoenix suspensions shifted momentum back to the Spurs who won & again became champions.

While Horry has delivered his share of unfair blows, changing his nickname to the embarrassing sobriquet “Cheap-Shot Bob,” teammate Bruce Bowen has landed far more dirty hits, kicks, punches, elbows, hip-checks and low blows than virtually any player in NBA history. If one doubts this, watch his YouTube highlights to observe hall of fame-level dirty plays. Truly eye-opening, especially in slow-motion . Bowen's dirty plays are occasionally career-threatening, a fact mentioned by a disgruntled Amare Stoudemire, fresh from a year's injury layoff -- calling Bowen's booting his Achilles tendon a “Purpose Kick.” Replays reveal Bowen never looking up at the jumping Stoudemire while lunging to kick his heal. Sunny Vince Carter believed, as well, when he tried to fight Bowen after getting “purpose-tripped “by the Spur's brute, after Bowen in a previous contest caused Carter an ankle sprain.

YouTube reveals Bowen's penchant for “accidentally” hurting players, especially while they shoot, by stepping under their feet, tripping them, falling into them, etc. Replays show how unlikely to be unintentional his moves are. Thus, a Bruce Bowen Video Compendium seems more likely shown at an Orthopedic Surgeon's Convention than at the NBA All-Defensive Awards. Some highlights include serious ankle injuries caused to Carter, Steve Francis, Ray Allen, and a flying kick(!) to the face of Wally Szczerbiak, among others. But the playoff hard knee to all-around nice-guy Steve Nash's groin cemented Bowen's reputation as a dirty player in many minds. Bowen's entire oeuvre rests on getting the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps no player in NBA history has had greater dedication to cheating.

Whether Coach Greg Popovich actually orders a team member to level an opposing player, or merely commands, “I don't care what you do, just stop him!” is an interesting question, but not fruitful. How would such a charge be proved? What cannot be debated is the Spurs have benefited from dirty-play for far too long. Further, if anyone knows about dirty plays and players, it is the coach. Given players come and go, but the coach stayed, no one has benefited from the dirty plays more than Popovich.

So where does this examination of Spurs dirty playing lead? Of course, to Coach Greg Popovich's door, but more importantly, to the self-satisfied and morally obtuse Commissioner David Stern's office. Last year's debacle between the Spurs and Suns, when Nash was knocked to the floor, resulted in two Suns big players being banned for a technicality. This almost guaranteed a Spurs win in a tight series. Therefore, when the Spurs won the series and the NBA Championship, they were rewarded for their wrong-doing. Where was Stern's Wisdom of Solomon to avoid such a complete miscarriage of justice? Does Stern not care? Is he at least not even a fan of the game he rules? Does Commissioner Stern not realize that fair treatment matters a great deal to every NBA fan?

What can be done about chronic dirty play? Here are some suggestions that won't be followed, but are given nonetheless as a suggested starting point in addressing the problem of NBA cheating:

First, any player involved in repeated plays of unethical acts, needs to be harshly sanctioned. For instance, Bruce Bowen's cheap-shots are so obvious, egregious, and unsportsmanlike, giving him a month or even a season's suspension would be fitting. After all, Bowen doesn't care if his assaults permanently end an opponent's career. Therefore, he is operating outside the rules of the NBA & acceptable human behavior.

Second, any coach employing a chronically cheating player should be sanctioned by fines or suspension. After all, a coach is aware of these plays, is their direct beneficiary, and can actually address the problem at source. Further, sanctions such as loss of draft choices and franchise fines, should also be available.

Third, consider allowing a rule where a genuine cheap-shot that disables a star player would be met with a suspension of the opposing team's star player. For example, where LeBron James was harshly and purposefully knocked down in this year's playoffs, here is the application: If James had been injured and made unavailable to compete, the other team's top scorer should be removed for the same period James was hurt. Likewise, if David West cannot play because of his back, a comparable player like Manu Ginobli, should also be held out. For why should the Spurs repeatedly benefit from dirty plays, suffer no punishment and still pileup championship after championship?

Commissioner Stern needs to face his own litany of ethical indifference that rewards thuggery over skill and teamwork. Is Stern so cynical, or so distracted by a campaign of world-expansion he cannot see that his fans care about sportsmanship, cheating and an equitable standard for punishments? If the Commissioner cannot meet these serious charges with a realistic and fair policy, he is not doing his job and needs to step down immediately. Fair play and punishment for the lack is the foundation of any ethical sports league, and needs to be returned to the NBA. Do this for the sake of owners getting deprived of their due recompense, players getting hurt needlessly, and fans getting robbed of the just fruits of their longstanding devotion by unnecessary and inexcusable dirty acts.

Finally, a key point needs to be addressed. While the very talented Spurs are proud of their four championships with Tim Duncan, how many would they have if not for cheap-shot plays by the likes of Bruce Bowen & Robert “Dirty” Horry? Further, given there is an impassable gulf between playing hard versus using cheating tactics, what is the worth of a championship that needed cheap tricks & opposing players wantonly injured?

There is no reason to be agnostic on such an important issue. A “championship” that results from cheating is a mirage that only debases the players who cunningly broke-rules to nab it and exposes the tawdry ethics of a coach so power mad he sells himself for such a plastic trinket. And yes, this just might apply to Bill Belichick's Patriots, and Roger Clemen's Yankees, too.

Cheating has sadly transcended any one sport. All such tainted victories are hollow and character-destroying. Or as a wise man once asked, “What profit is there when a man gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?”