Basketball: Spurs Play Sonics Tonight, Toros Hodge Shot In Denver

Allen Final 2.jpg

Ray Allen is a sissy. We knew it back when Denzel kicked his ass in streetball in He Got Game, but it keeps going downhill from there. In 2001, Allen complained of an "NBA conspiracy" when his Bucks lost to the 76ers in the Eastern Coference Finals. This year, he has been involved in snippy altercations with LA's Kobe Bryant, Orlando's Keeyon Dooling (which merited a 3-game suspension), and of course San Antonio's Bruce Bowen.

Allen has complained about Bowen's defense for years, so when Allen collided with Bowen in Seattle last month, Bowen gave him a kick to the back as they got up. A cheap shot? To be sure, but Bowen's not the best defender in the league for nothing. Ray-Ray actually made the unprecedented move of calling the NBA's disciplinarian Stu Jackson to lobby for a fine and suspension for Bowen after the game. This should be solidly lodged in the front of Bowen's and the Spurs' minds as a revenge game, so expect some fire tonight from the usually even-keeled and docile Spurs.

San Antonio has more than Allen to contend with: Dallas is suddenly right back in the hunt for the West's #1 seed after defeating SA last Friday. Despite putting up 59 wins already this season, the Spurs really need W's against both Seattle and Orlando this week to lock down the top spot and secure home-court advantage through the first three playoff rounds.

In other hoops news, Denver Nuggets 12th man and former Austin Toro Julius Hodge was shot while driving Saturday night in Colorado. Hodge was returning home from a Denver nightspot when an unidenified car pulled next to him and began firing. Hodge was hit three times in the legs, but none of the injuries were serious or life threatening. The Nuggets say that Hodge should be back on the court in three weeks, and that police are still investigating the strange crime.

Image via Jerry Lara of MySanAntonio.com. Spurs-Sonics is shown locally on Fox Sports SW (Time Warner Channel 54) tonight @ 7:30pm.

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By Tom Thornton in Other on April 11, 2006 1:13 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Tom

Yes, I am. Ray Allen began the feud by complaining to the press that Bowen was a dirty player almost 2 years ago. Whenever Allen doesn't play well (against the 76ers in the 2001 East Finals, against Kobe, against Bowen) he prefers to publicly blame others rather that shoulder the burden of being a franchise player... which, incidentally, he's not, which is why (like KG) despite being on some talented teams, he's never made the Finals. In the end, he's soft. Bowen lashed out, and it is inappropriate, but I think it's a "hey, the guy thinks I cheap shot him - I'll show him a real cheap shot" situation. Bowen's reputation has been damaged by softies like Vince Carter and Ray Allen whining because they can't score on him. Kobe Bryant complains, too, but he says "damn, Artest and Bowen make my life miserable - but they're great players." And there's the difference.

James Rockford

You're taking Bruce Bowen's side in this? Just take a minute and rethink that. Sure, he's a guy you want on your team, but do you really want to stick up for his low antics? I'll take Ray, one of the best shooters ever in the game, and one of the nicest guys, too. Is that somehow a bad thing?