Game Preview #22: San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns
by Tim C. on Dec 14, 2009 10:42 PM CST
in Game Previews & Recaps
81 comments
The Suns have already set, despite their current record.
So, the Suns have a pretty good record so far this season. Nash looks as good as ever, despite losing some of his better teammates over the previous two seasons. What's up with that? Well, they started the season scorching, and still claim the league's top offense, but they've been losing game more frequently over the last 2 weeks, returning to their rightful place in the second tier of Western Conference teams. That doesn't mean the Spurs should expect to win this game, though. For that, we'll need luck, and some good PtR mojo.
So, how do we get PtR mojo to the game? I'm glad you asked.
PtR Mojo at the Game
Alamobro, xman130 and yours truly will all be at this game, representing PtR. Even though we didn't quite coordinate our seating(I'm in the nosebleeds, they're not), simply being there will hopefully give us a little extra mojo. I will gladly take all the razzing Suns fans can throw at me, as long as the final result is a Spurs victory.
On a mostly unrelated note, check out this epic thread at SpursTalk for hilarity. Be sure to go well beyond the first page. Here's a little preview:
It is so on.
 San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns Where: US Airways Center - Phoenix, AZ When: December 15, 2009, 8:00 PM Spurs time Watch: FSN SW(San Antonio); FSN AZ(Phoenix)
How They Stack Up
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Matchups
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 Tony Parker Defying Expectations |
Point Guard Tony's had double-digit assists in two of the last three games, which is encouraging. Unfortunately, he's also turning the ball over a lot. Mr. Nash is as good as he's ever been, so I'll give him a very slight edge here. Advantage: Suns |
 Steve Nash Pretty Damn Good |
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 Manu Ginobili BETTER THAN FANGIO!!! |
Shooting Guard Manu's got his mojo going in the last few games. Keith Bogans will be matched up with J-Rich at first, but Manu will get the bulk of the SG minutes and should be able to win this matchup. Advantage: Spurs |
 Jason Richardson Not Richard Jefferson |
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 Richard Jefferson Finally Getting Better |
Small Forward RJ's been doing noticeably better as of late, after the rough start to the season. I expect more of the same tonight, and he should be able to take care of Hill with ease if he's on his game. Advantage: Spurs |
 Grant Hill Not George Hill |
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 Tim Duncan No Random Punctuation |
Power Forward Amare is still as deadly a shooter as ever, but doesn't seem to have the explosiveness he used to. Timmy is putting up the most efficient numbers of his career, which is really saying something when you're already the best PF of all time. Advantage: Spurs |
 Amar'e Stoudemire Random Apostrophe |
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 Antonio McDyess Jumpshooter |
Center Dice should get plenty of open looks tonight, even if Amare guards him instead of Timmy. Channing Frye was Phoenix's big acquisition this offseason, which says more about the team than it does about the player. If we can keep him off the 3-point line, this matchup will be ours. Also, Blair is going to eat the Suns frontcourt alive. Advantage: Spurs |
 Channing Frye Jumpshooter |
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 George Hill Los Cubits |
Bench & Role Players The Suns are without Leandro Barbosa. The BAM should be able to get something going pretty easily, cosidering that Jared Dudley is Phoenix's best remaining bench player. Advantage: Spurs |
 Jared Dudley Aptly Named |
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 Gregg Popovich Bring Back the Beard |
Coach Pop should use this game to make a statement. Seriously, he should. Advantage: Spurs |
 Alvin Gentry 7 Seconds and Loss |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
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Other Factors
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Intangibles If the Spurs could ever stop turning the fucking ball over, they'd be a pretty damn good team. Advantage: Suns |
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Mojo Take a look at the Suns' home record. Then take a look at our road record. Not a tough call. Those of us who are there in person will try to bring enough mojo for the Spurs to overcome, but it won't be easy. Advantage: Suns |
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Winner I always have a good feeling when we play the Suns, but not this time. I have hope, but not a feeling of inevitability like in seasons past. I'm going to go with my optimism, especially in light of the matchups. Spurs in a squeaker. |
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Keys To The Game
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Last Time They MetLet's skip the last time these teams met(Don't worry, we won), and go with some classic Spurs-Suns moments. Something tells me Suns fans don't like reliving these as much as we do.
Strength of Schedule
The every other day schedule is over. This is the first game of a back-to-back set(FIGABABA?), with the seond game tomorrow night in Oakland. The Suns are coming off two days' rest after a road loss to the Nuggets that was very close, and they were actually the victim of some bad calls.
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Some Other ReadingSunsBright Side of the Sun - These guys are our SBN siblings for Phoenix, and they do a phenomenal job. I briefly met Mike at summer league, and P. Stan is a super blogging machine(he also runs the SBN WNBA blog). I have nothing but respect for the writers over there. Valley of the Suns - Here's the TrueHoop blog dedicated to the Suns. These other teams' THN blogs seem to be getting better over time, which is a very encouraging sign. Worth the read. Spurs48 Minutes of Hell: Speaking of THN blogs, Tim and Graydon are still the best. They're not writing as much as they used to, but that's understandable in light of their busy schedules. |
The Magic That Happenedjrw put together some great highlights from the Clippers game thread(s):
in reference to LatinD’s shark BLAAIIIRRR pics:
After RJ misses a free throw and Blair snags the rebound and gets the put-back:
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Where to Tune InTVThis game is not on national TV, so for those of you staying at home, you might want to read on below... OnlineAs always, NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. You know, when we're not at the games. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. In fact, nobody can stop you from googling "atdhe". You can also shoot an email to dmenendez@gmail.com for more assistance. Spurs League Pass audio is still free this year, so check it out. RadioIf you're in the San Antonio area and aren't near a TV, tune in to WOAI (1200 AM). |
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81 comments
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hur dee hur dee hur!
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
On a mostly unrelated note, check out this epic thread at SpursTalk for hilarity. Be sure to go well beyond the first page.
: Checks thread:
: Sees all the signatures:
: Suffers seizure:
:Goes back to 4chan:
"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"
Nice – Steve Nash should never be able to show his face in public after such humiliation – but I guess he is used to it
Points in the Paint
15 or less 3point attempts
RJ scoring 18+
10 or less TOs
= Victory!
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
Is that one of your pictures, Tim? It’s verra nice. Enjoy the game tonight—have fun storming the castle!
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
great movie!
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Artis Gilmore on Dec 15, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Did you know the Spurs are in the top three of turnover differential – sharing those spots with Portland and Phoenix? Along with being rated the 29th in shot attempt differential – those numbers have to change if the Spurs are going to elevate to be a true top tier team. So what is the deal with Tony? He has a Ast/TO ratio of 1.77 compare to Deron Wiliams who has a 3.21 or tonight’s opp. Nash has a 2.92. Factor in the ppg and you get TP 18.47, Williams 23.61 and Nash 20.92. I hope the PG is in the stages of improving…….
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
but I guess some of it is a new players on the floor
TP Ast/TO + PPG
05-06 – 20.77
06-07 – 20.8
07-08 – 21.3
08-09 – 25.13
09-10 – 18.47
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Artis Gilmore on Dec 15, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions
Parker is throwing it over the heads of Manu, Mason, Hill, etc, etc.
Overall, his passing has been… inadequate.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
wonder what TP would be worth? not that the Spurs would ever consider trading him, such an integral part of the team – Bruce?
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Artis Gilmore on Dec 15, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Almost exactly one year ago, I happened to wonder almost the exact same thing. Only instead of just commenting, I posted this and this.
And for the rest of the year (as Tony went on to his best season to date) I was known as the “Trade Tony guy”. I’d like to spare you that. The bottom line is that he’s a great player until you consider his contract. Then he’s beyond great, he’s transcendent. We’d never get back anywhere close to his value in a trade. End of story.
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
by jollyrogerwilco on Dec 16, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
this will be the last game i’ll be able to watch in over 4 weeks, so a win would be nice.
4 weeks without seeing a single game…ugh.
free george hill!
by sleep research facility on Dec 15, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions
I just thought of something. BAM could also stand for Blair-Albatross-Manu.
The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!
If you change Zombie’s nickname to Oldie, you get RAMBO.
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
Mason and Mahinmi and Malik and Matt and Michael.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Dec 15, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
MAMAMAMAMA?
or M^5?
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Artis Gilmore on Dec 15, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions
not to be a downer but anyone else know that Keith Bogans has only had one 82 game season in his career………
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
Enjoy the game, Tim. Even if J-Rich and Barbosa don’t play, by no means is this game a cakewalk.
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 15, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions
Great preview Tim C. Hope you have a good time at the game and the Suns fans don’t get too rowdy against you, but I’m sure you could handle it.
That SpursTalk thread is truly epic. I happened to find a pretty cool thread that was linked there too. Some angry Suns fans trolled over and called them Sporks fans, and the guys there just took it to a whole new level. It starts off slow, but gets really good later on. I’m sure you’ll like it.
Oh, and great highlights of the previous game thread Dr. Eckleburg JRW.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
Nice TGG ref TLO.
Remember, the eyes are watching…
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
by jollyrogerwilco on Dec 16, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
I feel like crap… I need a Spurs win tonight.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Did it finally burst into pieces? Kidding. What about it?
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 15, 2009 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
Well how about that. The Knicks have won 4 in a row, with a good chance to make it 5 tonight against the Charlotte Kitteh Cats.
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
By the way, this is quite sad.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
For the record, the game is at 8, not 8:30. I’ll fix it.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Awesome. It’s funny to note what identifies them as ray guns.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Great recap, Riki. The old videos are just golden… brought a tear to my eye.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Ruh roh… Tiger might be in trouble again.
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 15, 2009 7:18 PM CST reply actions
Nice. Within earshot of rowdy Suns fans.
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 15, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions
Anthony Randolf is on the block for the W’s. He averages 11.8, 6.5 rpg, 1.2 pg, is 6’10", 210 and 20 yrs old. He make 1.8M. Yay or nay?
And the Wizards don’t want him? That’s scary.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
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