You can't spell suspension without S-U-N-S

Enough already! The world has apparently spun off its axis and Robert Horry seems to be the one to blame. Nevermind that Steve Nash completely overdid his reaction to Horry's hard foul with his little "help I've been shot" routine in front of the scorer's table. Nevermind that David Stern and the NBA enforced their no leaving the bench rule exactly how they always have. Nevermind that Stoudemire and Diaw chose to come running over to the scene when they had to know the consequences. Forget all of that! The Spurs are evil and their impending NBA title is undeserved.

Enough already! The sporting world (and sports media in particular) is out of control. People have been far to eager to dish out blame for the way this series has gone down, but nobody wants to look at who is really at fault. Are the Spurs at fault for trying to exploit their opponent's apparent weakness? No. Is Robert Horry at fault for the suspensions received by Suns players? No. Is the NBA at fault for being consistent with the way they enforce their rules and hand out suspensions? Nope. Are Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw at fault for leaving their bench? Yes!

The public and media seem to begrudge stars getting special treatment (just look at the reaction to Roger Clemens' deal with the Yankees), yet the NBA is being taken to task for suspending two Suns players that are key to their chances of winning. Imagine the reaction if David Stern had come out and said, "Well, Stoudemire and Diaw should be suspended, but they're really good and the Suns need them, so no dice." Yeah, that would have gone over well. The NBA took the only possible course of action in what has turned out to be something of a no win situation. They stayed the course and enforced the rules the way they always do. Which brings us back to Stoudemire and Diaw. They knew the consequences for leaving the bench and they did it anyway. Manu Ginobli didn't drag them over, they ran over of their own free will. And then they paid the price. If Suns/NBA fans want to hang blame one somebody for what has gone on in this series they need to start with Stoudemire and end with Diaw. Then shut up and give the Spurs their due.