For the minority of people out there that were not focused solely on the NFL Draft this weekend witnessed one of the worst playoff games from a competitive standpoint in the history of the NBA. The Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Hornets 121-63 last night in game 4 of their series to put Denver up 3 games to 1. The 58 point victory was tied for the largest in the history of the NBA. Denver’s game-plan was obvious from the beginning of the game, manhandle, grab, push and maul Chris Paul at all costs. Does this remind anyone of anything from watching the Suns in the playoffs over the previous 4 years? Cough…Cough Bruce Bowen on Steve Nash?

I realize that referees blowing the whistle on Denver defenders hacking Chris Paul would not have likely eliminated a 58 point deficit or would it? The Hornets entire offense is predicated on Chris Paul using his speed to get into the interior and then create for his teammates. Tyson Chandler scored zero points last night and David West a paltry 14.

If referees are going to continue swallowing the whistle for slighter framed point-guards in the playoffs, teams are better suited to have bulky point guards to put up with the impact. However, to me this seems more like football than basketball. Why does a foul in the regular season not equal one in the postseason? The answer according to many is that the refs understand the level of intensity is higher in the playoffs and therefore allow a little more contact. As Suns fans have seen with Bruce Bowen’s basically mauling Steve Nash in the playoffs, a little more contact is an understatement. I counted 6 occasions where Chris Paul penetrated and was hit on the arm by the point guard guarding him and then was bodied when he got into the lane. In theory, that should equal 12 fouls; however not one was called. I am sorry but Chris Paul the NBA’s quickest player and high assist man did not simply have a bad game being held to 4 points, 6 assists and 6 turnovers and zero free throw attempts.

As long as the NBA’s officiating continues to allow more “physical play” in the playoffs, teams with quick electric point guards as their go to guy simply don’t have a chance. It seems that the Suns and Hornets would be better served to have LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson at point guard during the playoffs, rather than future hall of famers Steve Nash and Chris Paul. I am all for more intense play in the playoffs but if it is at the cost of actual quality play by some of the best players, there is obviously a problem.