Stern Unhappy With Suspensions; Willing to Look Into Rule Change

David Stern appeared on Dan Patrick's radio show today to discuss the controversial suspension of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for tonight's critical game 5.

The usually calm and collected Stern was testier than I've ever heard him before -- the commish was being extremely sarcastic when addressing Patrick's questions, even more so than usual -- but he did say something of interest to NBA fans: Depending on how the various team owners feel, David Stern is open to perhaps changing the rule about bench players coming onto the court during altercations.

"I'm unhappy with the result. If the owners would like to change it, I'm happy to do it, believe me. I'd be very happy to do it. But to listen to the palaver that Robert Horry changed the series is just silly. What changed the series is that Amare and Boris ran out onto the court." Stern said.

As much as it pains me to admit, Stern is right. Robert Horry did not change this great Playoff series; Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw's boneheaded decision to leave their bench changed the series. As Stern points out, during the altercation, none of the Spurs players left their bench. They simply stood up and looked at what was going on in the skirmish. The same cannot be said for Amare and Boris, and now they're paying the price for it.

Of course Stern could just be playing the political game by saying that he's open to changing the rule, but if I were Robert Sarver (owner of the Phoenix Suns), this is the first thing I would bring up at the next owners' meeting.