Believe it or not, the Golden State Warriors actually have a "defensive coordinator" on the bench.  Earlier this season, Don Nelson named assistant coach Keith Smart as his defensive coordinator.  Well, the Warriors gave up 120 points to the Suns last night at home I'd have to say that Smart isn't doing a very good job.  Oh, did I mentioned that was through three quarters?  At the end of the regulation forty-eight minute game, Phoenix finished with 154 points. 

How can a team have a defensive coordinator when the players don't play any defense?  This would be analogous to the San Diego Padres hiring a running game coordinator even though the team has absolutely no speed and their likely stolen base leader this season will be Jody Gerut (who?) with 8.    In last night's game, the Suns shot 62% and there were innumerable uncontested or barely contested shots in the paint.  Just a pitiful performance.

Almost as pitiful was the way the officiating crew called the game.   The score was still relatively close nearly midway through the 3rd quarter until center Ronny Turiaf was whistled for a phantom foul against Shaquille O'Neal.  Replays clearly showed that Turiaf was  standing under the basket with his arms raised and literally made no contact with the Big Cactus as he bricked a layup attempt.  Seconds after the shot missed badly the whistle blew and Turiaf was called for yet another foul, sending him to the bench.  Phoenix went on to open up a twenty-three point lead by the end of the quarter and then it was garbage time.

Unless big name players stop getting preferential treatment, the league will continue to lag behind the NFL in popularity.  I'm an unapologetic NBA junkie, but the uneven and inconsistent officiating is really an albatross around the neck of the league.  C'mon David Stern, it's time to get this issue under control...