For the second straight playoff season, Robert Horry finds himself in the middle of a "dirty/not dirty" play controversy. After setting a back pick for David West that knocked the Hornets' star from the game, everyone is going to the video of last year's hit on Steve Nash and saying something to the effect of, "look, he did it again!" First the clip of the play on West (at the 1:29 mark), then the discussion.
I'm the last person in the world that you would expect to come to the defense of the Spurs' edition of Robert Horry, but I'm going to do exactly that -- at least a little bit.
Unlike the unnecessarily hard hip check that sent Steve Nash into the scorers' table last season, this was a relatively, um, peaceful play by Horry. He saw Ginobili coming towards the baseline, and went to set a completely legal screen on West. The fact that Manu decided to pass the ball is something that Horry couldn't have known would happen, and when West jumped to contest that pass, yes, Horry leaned in to make sure he made contact. But the contact didn't come in West's back, really. Horry's hands were below West's waist, it's not like he gave him a forearm to the spine or anything.
I will agree Horry might have thought before the game that, if he gets the chance, he should make contact with West to see how his back would hold up. But this screen was not that opportunity. You want to see a vicious screen? Check out Kevin Garnett getting his revenge on the Hawks' Zaza Pachulia. That's a vicious screen. The one from Horry, even given the fact that he knew West has had back problems? Not so much.
For the sake of argument, let's say that there might have been some intent there, and that, as Will did an excellent job of breaking down, the Spurs use Horry now as more of an enforcer than anything else. But this was not a hard foul, or even a playoff foul: it was simply a legal, fairly non-violent screen. One that unfortunately, David West -- due to his prior back injury -- was unable to withstand.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Robert Horry's "nudge" into David West's back was weak. My question is why was West in the game anyway? Down by 20, with no chance of coming back knowing that he had a bum back to begin with. He should have been on the pine resting the back making sure he would be ready for game 7.
I feel that this was David West's way of quitting on his team and to try and gain some sympathy from the refs and the media. I have seen a lot harder hits where players just got off the floor and kept on going.
Posted at 12:28PM on May 16th 2008 by NachoD
2. Horry went into the game to hurt D.West with premeditation;
The order came from Popovich and Horry was the enforcer;
A criminal investigation should be open ASAP;
Popovich is getting out of hand;
This is a game and teams like the Spurs, Celtics and Jazz have to reminded of such;
They want to win no matter what I wonder that next time they will go further;
Popovich knows very well that besides CP it was D.West that can beat them;
Celtics are very close to hurt lebron as well if they don't win tonight, pay attenttion.
Posted at 12:58PM on May 16th 2008 by frank
3. Here's my problem with this. That screen, if it was a legitimate "I'm-not-trying-to-injure-you" screen, I don't see how it helps the Spurs. Manu's already pulled up for the pass and is clearly not looking to drive past West. Which raises the question, who exactly is Manu trying to pass to there? I'm not huge on conspiracy theories, but it almost looks like that play is set up to get West in the air where Horry will have a chance to lean into him. You just don't screen people who are midair like that. It doesn't make sense. The pick's designed to stop someone from moving one direction. Preventing West from doing what he was doing there doesn't help the Spurs unless you're trying to hurt him.
Posted at 1:59PM on May 16th 2008 by carter blanchard
4. HAHA Frank, thats funny and rich. A criminal investigation should be open ASAP? LOL. if he wanted to hurt west he would have taken his legs out while in the air or went higher in the back or head.but he didn't. That is good hard playoff basketball.oh i forgot your a Hornets fan and not used to being here in the playoffs. BONG!!
Posted at 2:07PM on May 16th 2008 by DUCKHEAD4154
5. Your right, being in the playoffs is a new experience, but check it out, the way the Hornets are doing it, is a class act! But maybe you can't appreciate class!! QUACK! QUACK!
Posted at 2:22PM on May 16th 2008 by duckhunter
6. There really isn't much here. Horry's contact with West was good, clean and part of the game. Certianly nothing overly malicious but it was delivered with a purpose. You always go after an opponents weakness. That's just the the nature of competitive sports. If it's a tennis player with a bad leg you make him run. It's up to the player to be out there or not. He knows the possible risk. These guys are banging for low position all the time.
If I was on the Spurs I'd be high fiving Horry all the way. If it was Timmy Duncan instead of West the Hornet fans wouldn't say squatt. Kind of sour grapes I think. I'm just surprised it didn't happen sooner. I'm thinking Bill Lambeer would of had him out in the fist period. :)
Posted at 2:47PM on May 16th 2008 by Anthony Parslow
7. Some people are making fun about the Hornets with NO experience but the truth is that Hornets earned and deserved to be in the finals;
It is not over yet but the media keep ignoring such a young and talented team and that is the beauty of it cause at the end of the day Hornets will be there right where the Spurs THIS YEAR will not be.
Posted at 7:42PM on May 16th 2008 by frank
8. Pathetic behavior by an over-the-hill hack!
Posted at 7:42PM on May 16th 2008 by skedman
9. The Spurs: A first-rate team, in a second-rate town, with third-rate fans.
Posted at 11:18PM on May 16th 2008 by skedman
10. It was clearly a lean in on the man to further hurt him.Some of the incidents Horry has been involved in look sneaky and dirty and it makes you wonder why did he have to do that. Is he lacking confidence in his team? So he tries to take the other team's man out completely. That is so sad! West is a great player and Horry needs to sit down so that West can showcase his abilities. Horry don't hate the player, hate the game.
Posted at 3:34AM on May 17th 2008 by jeannette franklin
11. I can't believe such a big deal is being made over nothing. One expert on a news channel said the NBA won't even rewind the tape on this play. He's right. There's nothing here. I saw over and over.
And if I was Horry I wouldn't pull up at all if a guy jumps back in to me. Who the hell does that. Who says oh here comes West I better get out of his way cause his back is sore and I would hate to make it worse. Come on!!!
Posted at 1:12PM on May 17th 2008 by Anthony Parslow
12. wHorry's knuckles lined up along Wests spine and punching into his back was to do intentional harm. There's nothing unintentional about it at all. The Sterns know of Wests back. It's too bad that the Sterns doesn't get a huge fine or better yet disqualified for a change. The Stern's moto..when in doubt take them out.
Posted at 1:47PM on May 17th 2008 by Kelsey
13. Do you people have the faintest clue how playoff basketball works? It is absurd to suggest that a player should be suspended or under investigation for blocking a play. That is how this sport works. Perhaps you should watch another one until your team learns how to play basketball.
It is not against the rules to defend an injured player. If West's back was that bad, he shouldn't have been in. What Horry did was no different than any of dozens of blocks performed by every team so far.
Posted at 1:54PM on May 17th 2008 by tdbrought
14. By the Way if the Spurs have gotten into the Hornet's heads the same way they have their fans, New Orleans will lose game 7. Much like Phoenix last year, the fans of one teqam are obsessing over how unfairly they were treated and how life is just mean to them. Meanwhile the machine keeps on doing what it does in SA. Hopefully the Hornets' players have the mental strength to come out and do the same thing to San Antonio. If not, there is always 2009.
Posted at 1:57PM on May 17th 2008 by tdbrought
15. The Spurs suck. So do their fans.
Posted at 3:12PM on May 17th 2008 by skedman
16. Anyone who thinks the spurs aren't dirty are either not watching or are kidding themselves. Spurs fans that know their team is dirty chanted for Horry after his dirty back blow on West. You can justify it all you want but it's simply low class playing. Bowen is the expert at it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aFvk4qHkT10&feature=related
Posted at 3:09AM on May 20th 2008 by dan