I am a Knick fan and we got killed by the NBA over this exact scenario.

The rule is the rule.....all the players know if they leave the bench during an altercation, they are going to miss at least 1 game, no ifs ands or buts. It is a good rule, there to stop it from escalating.

What kind of message would the league be sending if they DIDN'T suspend Stoudamire? You have to use self-control, EXCEPT in a really big game?
That is BS in my book. I feel bad that the Spurs sucked the Suns in, and this next game would have been THE game of the playoffs this year, but shame on the Suns for letting it happen. Blame the players, not the league.