Over the last 5 years the Phoenix Suns have reinvigorated the NBA with their “7 seconds or less” style of play. With the league struggling for an identity with the absence of polarizing figures such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, one would think the league would embrace this added excitement. However, it has become extremely apparent that the NBA and commissioner David Stern have a vendetta against the Phoenix Suns.

In 1968, David Stern, who at the time was outside legal counsel on the case against Connie Hawkins. Connie Hawkins was implicated in the infamous point shaving scandal while a freshman at Iowa. He was then basically blackballed by the NCAA and NBA because his name was merely mentioned by Jack Molinas, who was later murdered in an apparent mob hit. The laughable thing about this whole situation is that Connie Hawkins was convicted of absolutely nothing and nothing was proven against him. He was basically made out to be a villain because his talent was substantial and the current commissioner, James Walter Kennedy,  thought it would send a strong message to discourage point shaving in the future.

Connie Hawkins finally brought a lawsuit against the NBA in 1969, in which none other than David Stern was the legal counsel for the NBA. Stern and the NBA lost the case and were forced to settle with Hawkins for an undisclosed amount of cash and allow him to be instated into the NBA. His rights were then assigned to the Phoenix Suns.  The main blemish on Stern’s legal career was Connie Hawkins and watching him play for the Phoenix Suns must have garnered much resentment.

This resentment could be clearly seen in the handling of the Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw suspensions during the 2006-2007 playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns seem destined to win the title, but one forearm by Robert Horry and two steps off the bench by Stoudemire and Diaw was enough for David Stern to levy his vendetta and suspend both players. Don’t get me wrong, the rule is that you can’t leave the bench, however one would think in a game of such heated implications one would give a little lenience. In a series where Steve Nash’s nose was busted open and Bruce Bowen “accidently” kneed Nash in the most private of places, Stern should have been proud of how Diaw and Stoudemire reacted! Even non-Suns fans could see the obvious disparity in the calls! This is obviously a prime example that there is more factoring in on who wins than being the better team…simply embarrassing.