Three unpopular rules. But nonetheless they are rules, even if we don't like them. (And I don't.) They've certainly been questioned by people before, but never under such a national profile until a moment which mattered most: postseason time. Indeed, the Raiders-Patriots game, the Suns-Spurs series, and my 8th grade spelling bee would have improved in quality had the three instances not occurred. But that's the beauty of competition: seeing the unseen, and complaining about the never-before-complained-about. For every indiscriminant tuck rule that leaves the bench, we fans witness Joe Carter circling the bases. Mike Jones tackling Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line. Michael Jordan scoring 38 points with the flu. Rebecca Sealfon spelling words, well, like that. Sports oddities happen all the time and are merely amplified when the game has way more on the line. Who remembers A.J. Pierzynski reaching base after striking out in the 2005 MLB playoffs, extending the game?

I probably would not have enforced consequences to Diaw and Stoudemire like David Stern did — probably because I want to see the Suns win this series — but it doesn't matter, because the rules I make and enforce don't extend beyond BC Sports. (At least around here, everyone is held responsible for their own pronunciation gaffes.) Nonetheless, Stern's actions did change the complexion of the series. And Robert Horry, with too many championship rings to fit on a finger, somehow looks like a genius, effectively neutralizing two of Phoenix's primary, albeit playoff-unproven, players with one body slam. How about changing his nickname from Big Shot Bob to Big Slam Bob?

On the day of Game 6, there's no use complaining about the suspensions, because it's come and gone. Suns coach Mike D'Antoni knows this. Thursday afternoon on Pardon The Interruption, during an interview he seemed frustrated yet sympathetic toward Stern's quandary, but the Suns coach knows he must get his team ready for Game 6, and merely — Raiders fans, look away — tuck away memories of Game 5 for now. Because a win on the road in San Antonio tonight would make for one hell of an emotional Game 7, when Robert Horry returns to the lineup. In Phoenix, no less. And if that happens, maybe David Stern could look like the marketing genius. That would rule.