Food For Thought: Suns vs Spurs
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 3, 2010 6:25 PM CDT
in Analysis
Email
PrintJust a few thoughts for you to ponder heading into tonight's game one.
I feel really good about this series. Much better than I did about the Mavs. Here's why:
1. The Spurs proved to me last series that they finally have their act together. After a VERY uneven regular season, in which we didn't know what we had, they played some seriously nasty playoff basketball.
2. The Suns supposed improved defense doesn't impress me. They played a very handicapped Portland team that played to the Suns defensive strengths. The Suns weaknesses are interior scoring and a quick point guard. Portland has neither. Plus, they played against a team without Brandon Roy and a just recovering from surgery Brandon Roy. Color me skeptical.
3. This Suns team is largely new and playoff untested. Remember, they missed the playoffs last year. Since then, they have re-tooled a lot of their roster. Many of the guys they brought in are either young or came from perennial losers. I don't think the Blazers were a "playoff" team. What I mean by that is that they didn't have a playoff gear. Because of their injuries all year, they had -- because McMillian is a great coach -- been playing at their best for quite some time. They weren't able to bring something extra. The Spurs-Mavs series was something extra.
None of this is to say it will be a cakewalk or that the Suns suck. It's in the crucible of intense fire that you know what kind of team you have. They haven't felt the heat yet.
133 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Suns may be one of the most dangerous 3 point ball clubs in the history of the NBA, but the Spurs have a moniker as well:
2010 NBA Spurs are the most dangerous 7th seed in the history of the NBA. Fact. Back it up with stats? I don’t use that side of the brain.
I find the Suns to be much tougher than Dallas, hands down. Nash is the devil himself, he’s the Dirk in this team and if he can’t score he’ll assist others in doing so. Amar’e has become a monster lately, perhaps playing for that contract but a monster is a monster.
If the Spurs sweep, fantastic. If not, let’s get ready for the toughest 7 game series will have yet. At the end, no matter which teams ends up winning I just hope for one thing
BEAT LA.
"We'll see how our character is," guard Tony Parker said. "We don't have time to be sad. Nobody cares. It's just us. We're the only ones who can help each other."
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on May 3, 2010 7:03 PM CDT reply actions
Great points. I agree, but why can’t the game start now? 9:30? Come on, Stern. Does anybody really care about LeBron?
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
Dude…I’m in LALA land and this timing is great for me. This means that I dont have to miss the first half due to work.
Keep the faith!!
You guys don’t matter.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions
.
wonder if we will be able to guard the nash-amare pick and roll tonight. I remember our d not being able to step up to the task in our last gm with them
"Maybe, for you, paper should be more of a hobby"
-Michael Scott
That game was a THIGAFONI, though. Plus it was our playoff D for sure.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I noticed that this is the first time I’ve used one of those terms. I feel like it’s a PtR right of passage.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
wait…I am sure I am going to get killed for this, but what is a THIGAFONI??
"Maybe, for you, paper should be more of a hobby"
-Michael Scott
*wasn’t our playoff D. Whoops.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions
First comment
Love the site been following for a while, I don’t really start following basketball till the end of the season but as a San Antonio local I love my Spurs. Looking forward to tonight’s game, catch you guys tomorrow!
REAL SOVIET DAMAGE!!!!!
Welcome, STT. We hope to hear from you more often :)
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I feel really good about this series. Much better than I did about the Mavs.
I cannot say the same. Here’s why:
1. I felt that the Mavs were opponent we knew and understood pretty good. I am not sure how much we know and understand these Suns.
2. Every “basketball expert” and his mother claimed that the Mavs were deeper team than the Spurs. I thought, that nothing could be further away from reality. The Mavs were Dirk’s show with some semi-dangerous pieces around (Terry, Butler, Beaubois). I think, the Suns are deeper.
3. Amar’e is as dangerous for us as Dirk, but he is not even the best player of their team. The Suns’ 3-point shooting is much superior. They simply have more offensive weapons to hurt us.
4. It definitely felt like it was our turn to beat the Mavs after last year’s embarrassment. With the Suns, some people would argue that they are due to beat us.
5. We were underdogs to beat the Mavs, and that role fit us well. Now most of the “experts” jumped on our bandwagon. Not a very good sign, if you ask me.
I am here to state the obvious.
Agree. Amare is a “slam dunker”. Deny the assist and can´t score like Dirk with his awesome jumpers.
I think he’s a jackass, but I have to admit, A*m&a)r$e has one of the prettiest mid-range jumpshots in the game. Offensively, he’s extremely talented.
+1 to the strange new commenter.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
But see…. when I come back, I come back for real. Game threads, picture posts, endless mockery of the newly acquired PtR idiots.
When you “come back,” it’s for a comment just here and there, and then another disappearing act for an undisclosed amount of time. It’s a tease, and it sucks.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Ooooohhhhh you shouldn’t have.
Our posse is currently hunting you down, and you will soon walk out into the driveway to receive a sucker-punch. When you look up, you will see only a man quickly backpedaling away from you, Melo-style.
You messed with the wrong gangsta, tomasito.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn you.
And yes, I’m a spitting image of KFed too. Pure thugdouche.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh my gosh, look what Google just turned up...
I believe this is from the annual elections for this player’s fan club, which SiMA won in a landslide…
I suddenly remember why I haven’t really missed you or your ’chop skills that much.
Your mockery has just landed you as Target #1 in Thugnation.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m not worried about you and your posse—I’ve got a few Shiner Blondes in me (liquid courage!!!) and am ready for anything.
Well, I guess we know who ISN’T buying the beer at the Tomasito house.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 4, 2010 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Damn, Sima… you’re kinda getting owned here. What up with that?
:: grabbing the popcorn, making myself comfortable in the Lazy Boy ::
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. ~ CMoney
I am happy. I am proud. ~ Manu Ginobili
It may be a mistake to deride an actual Photoshop professional for not posting enough pictures, especially if A) that person is kind of drunk and B) that person has photos of you with your secret favorite players.
Unfortunately, Nash is also more able scorer himself compared to Kidd. And his sub Dragic seem to be coming of age, kind of like George Hill for us.
I am here to state the obvious.
I’m not with you there. I see Kidd as being an equally viable threat to score, especially with his 3-pt. % being at a career high this year. Nash is more of a threat to penetrate, but I think both demand the exact same play from us as they’re fairly similar in a playoff game.
And I definitely wouldn’t put Dragic in the same wizard-like catagory as Georgie.
But I do like your sig.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Kidd was about as dangerous on offense against us as Matt Bonner. Nash can shoot 3s, penetrate, hit mid-range jumper and make a shot at the buzzer. He is much more multi-dimnesional threat than Kidd.
I am here to state the obvious.
It is fair to say Nash is thier Nowitzki – since he can do almost everything Dirk can. Stoudamire is just as advertised – sure he can drive in and occasionally dunk, but he mainly just waits for the incoming pass. He DID do some rather impressive things during the Blazers series w/o Nash on the floor but no Blazer has the ability to lock him down like Duncan and McDyess can :)
"This team is like a bunch of cockroaches. They just don't die!" -Charles Barkley, after Game 7 vs. the NOOCH.
The "I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You f***ed with the wrong Marine!" face. Because Popovich can be kinda scary.
You can thank George for that. As you will be able to do against Nash as well.
Nash IS more dangerous by definition (higher PPG average), but they’re basically the same player, capable of beating you all by themselves on any given night. Your disrespect for Kidd can only be attributed to the amazing lock-down we put on him vs. dallas.
And get ready, that same lock-down is coming for your boy starting tonight.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no disrespect for Kidd, but we always were able to shut him down, since his NJ days. He used to be lethal on fast break, but I guess he slowed down with age. We also have the advantage of hindsight when we are talking about Kidd-2010. Nash is scarier just because we didn’t play against him yet in these playoffs.
I am here to state the obvious.
Hindsight? What reference point should we use, if not “hindsight?” In hindsight, we have neutralized Nash pretty well in the past… and he was younger then, in hindsight.
And age/injury will likely play in with Nash this series as well. He is more of a danger to score than Kidd, but that’s not his game. His game is to be a facilitator, and if we take him out of that, his secondary role of scorer will be diminished as well.
The Great White Overrated will be further exposed by the Motorola Wizard this series, I assure you.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t think it’ll be ‘easy’ either, but I do think that if we play OUR game and do the things we’ve been taught to do all year, it could be very easy.
I said it before, but this is a series that truly is on us alone. We are built to annihilate teams like phx in the playoffs, but we can and will only do it if each does his job.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think Amar’e is as dangerous. Dirk is a great isolation player with the ability to be unstoppable.
Amar’e isn’t. He feeds off Nash period. Now, you might say that Nash is a as dangerous as Nash.
I also think Dirk is a better defender than Amare.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 3, 2010 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree that Dirk is better 1-on-1, but not a whole lot better. Amar’e can be unstoppable as well. Remember way back when in 2005 when he dropped 40 a game on us? A lot of those points were straight up isos. He’s a premier bucket-getter, and great at finishing awkward shots around the rim—the same way Blair is, but a few inches taller and with more athleticism. Plus he can drain those 17 footers all day.
But he becomes a blackhole once they give him a lot of those isos, so I’ll take that any day rather than have 6 or 7 Suns in double figures.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
+1.
And don’t forget Apostrophe’s 40+ games on us was after Pop’s implimentation of the highly successful formula- “Make Nash a scorer and not a facilitator, and give Apostrophe his.”
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
True, Dirk is a better player, but for whatever reason, Amar’e had a lot of success against us, including in the playoffs. So for us I consider him as dangerous as Dirk. Talking of Dirk’s defense you reminded me of his defense against Hill in the first half of game 6. I’d be happy to see Amar’e to defend like that.
I am here to state the obvious.
I still truly believe that the only reason Apostrophe has torched us is because we’ve let him. That strategy cripples their overall attack plan, as evidenced by the teams’ records vs. each other.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Playing the Suns always feels like trying to plug holes in a leaky dike. It is constant work and very dangerous. If you relax too long, you find that you cannot recover. Don’t let them get rolling. Don’t let them get too much confidence.
I would not be surprised if the Spurs win by 5. I would not be surprised if the Suns win by 15.
+1 on that. Interestingly, it’s not going to be a surprise at whomever wins this series and how long it takes them. I could see us sweeping, I could see us taking 7, and I could see phx beating us. I’m far more on the side of us winning though (in 5 or 6), so long as we force them into half-court and don’t sag on D.
Strangely though, I can’t see the series going deep without phx self-destructing at some point.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Nicely said, but I think a lot of teams were able to come back from double digits against the Suns.
In Manu, we trust.
by day_late_friend on May 3, 2010 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I am nervous about our ability to hit 3s and free throws…it almost cost us in the Mavs series. Hopefully we have more luck with free throws and 3s in this series.
"Maybe, for you, paper should be more of a hobby"
-Michael Scott
I am nervous about our ability to score. Those bloody Suns will score, we know that. I don’t see us keeping them in 80s.
I am here to state the obvious.
that’s fine as long as we can keep them under 100
"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
Which we’ve proven.
And I think you’re seriously underestimating our playoff defense. I definitely think we will keep them under their average, and I don’t see them being able to stop all our scoring options.
Realize that they’re really not THAT different from suns teams of the past, regardless of what some will have you believe. Lopez gave them more interior D, but he’s not going to be a factor in this series. And in the past, the suns were required to stop the Big 3 to beat us. Now… they not only still have to stop the Big 3 (which they’ve never proven consistantly capable of doing), but also several roles and subs. Hill and RJ are both now proven scoring threats. DeJuan can have a big night at any time. Dice cannot be ignored. There’s just too many new threats for phx, and not that many new ones for us.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
we allowed the mavs to score 92 ppg in the last series. 10 less than their season avg. with phx scoring 110 ppg in the season, keeping them down will be a huge factor in the series.
"Maybe, for you, paper should be more of a hobby"
-Michael Scott
But we probably won’t be able to keep them down as much as the Mavs. The Suns are clearly superior offensive team. So we need to score more in this series.
I am here to state the obvious.
I think ~10 points off their average is doable. Plus their lax D allows us to score more.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Tonight’s game is going to be all about how the teams play against each other. Don’t get your hopes up for the 1st game. the series is another issue…….
"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
Precisely. I was just saying that I wouldn’t be surprised for us to drop tonight’s game (we NEVER play well coming off a long break), but to regroup after learning their style of play and dominate the rest of the series.
Tonight is virtually worthless. I’m far more interested in Game 2 and the adjustments Pop (still, fire him) will have made.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Tonight is virtually worthless.
I don’t think so. We need to win tonight or we need to win game 2. As long as we go back to SA tied at 1-1, we are in a good shape for the series. Winning tonight would be very sweet.
I am here to state the obvious.
No doubt. And my vision definitely includes us winning Game 2, that’s for sure.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the Suns are going to try and come out to win the series in one game. Home crowd, rested, lots of emotion and desperately wanting to prove that this team is different. Not unlike Dallas in game 1 where they anted to put the “best 7-seed” talk to rest and make Pop regret assuring that we’d get them. Then a series took place and we win 4 of 5.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
This just in… Bulls fire Vinny Del Negro. Right, we totally didn’t see that coming.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 8:14 PM CDT reply actions
They should have fired John Paxson.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. ~ CMoney
I am happy. I am proud. ~ Manu Ginobili
I agree with you bella.
In Manu, we trust.
by day_late_friend on May 3, 2010 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Next coach up on the block….
Gregg Popovich. Make it happen, people.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
BLASPHEMY
"We'll see how our character is," guard Tony Parker said. "We don't have time to be sad. Nobody cares. It's just us. We're the only ones who can help each other."
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on May 3, 2010 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Your incredible gif skills exempt you from mockery at not catching the long-running joke/sarcasm there.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
this has nothing to do with the upcoming game…but why is chris paul on the tnt half time show?
free malik hairston!
perth wildcats - 2009/2010 nbl champions baby!
by sleep research facility on May 3, 2010 8:23 PM CDT reply actions
He has nothing better to do? He’s also a great player. I’m sure he might be able to offer some good insights.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
but…do we watch the tnt crew for good insight? or for entertainment?
free malik hairston!
perth wildcats - 2009/2010 nbl champions baby!
by sleep research facility on May 3, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Some good insight might be refreshing. If not, get some real refreshments. It’s halftime.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t take Paul at this point. Really.
I’m so happy with the Parker-Hill tandem that I wouldn’t change for anything.
Yeah, I said it.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree. Plus we have no money for him.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
But then we would have to sign & trade Mason, so he would have to agree to it. Why would he want to go to NOLA?
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions
And why would NOLA want that?
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I suppose, but Peja and that rookie Thornton are worth more than him right now. Although, I just looked at their roster and they only have 1 true SG, so maybe they could use him. This ain’t happenin’, though, so whatever.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on May 3, 2010 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Plus, don’t forget the chemistry-disturbance Paul would bring. He’s a me-first player and could not play in a system like ours.
The only way I entertain a Paul trade is if it’s involved with a three- or four-way that ends with us getting Bosh. And even then I don’t touch our PG duo.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
In these playoffs Tony has completely proven the opposite. He is an ultimate Spur.
I am here to state the obvious.
Tony has proven over the course of his 8-year career, including 3 championships that he is an ultimate Spur. If you are only seeing it for the first time in these playoffs, that’s on you. Not him.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 3, 2010 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions
First of all, I didn’t say that Tony has proven it for the first time or that I see it for the first time from him. You are putting these words into my mouth, so that’s on you, not me. Second, there was a lot of talk that Tony’s ego would not let him to come from the bench and be effective. During his 3 championship runs Tony always started. We knew he was a great player, but we didn’t know how much he is ready to sacrifice for the team. So far, Tony is my favorite player in these playoffs.
I am here to state the obvious.
I don’t agree with that at all. He can be selfish, yes; but “the king?!” And he’s even gotten MUCH better after playing under Pop for several years. I don’t think he’s that bad anymore. Hell, Pop doesn’t even scream at him like he used to.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I disagree with both (kondor and You) because I think U know that a guard gotta make ASSISTS and make his team play but when Tony make an assist it looks like he gets rid of the ball when found too much trafficc to the rim for his make.
Normally, that’s true. That’s the very definition of a good PG.
But when you’ve got an all-star PG who can also score by hitting shots or using warp-like speed to penetrate the lane, you let bygones be bygones.
And you’re also overlooking the critical nature a PG like Tony plays in Pop’s offense. Timmy thrives under single coverage, and when you have a PG like Tony who is a threat to score at any time, opponents can’t afford to consistantly double TD. If they do, they allow Parker an easier score. If they don’t, TD beats their single coverage easily.
I would argue that Parker, vs. an assist-first PG, is the BEST fit for us.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
He’s not Timmy or Manu, but he’s definitely not a selfish player. He just looks selfish in comparison to those guys. He’d be lauded as a team player on any other team. I mean, an All-Star married to a famous actress agreeing to come off the bench? Not pouting over shots or minutes? Sacre bleu!
Feel that? Those are goosebumps. They’ll pass over time.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on May 3, 2010 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Whoa, ’Sheed Wallace with 13 points, 5-5 shooting and 3 threes?
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 8:43 PM CDT reply actions
can we swap him for dice?
free malik hairston!
perth wildcats - 2009/2010 nbl champions baby!
by sleep research facility on May 3, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Heh, what do you call a step-step-1/2 step-hop-hop-shoot?
…Lebron James running an iso. Lame.
Even the announcers and Celtic coaches were going “Wow…no call for steps??”
"This team is like a bunch of cockroaches. They just don't die!" -Charles Barkley, after Game 7 vs. the NOOCH.
The "I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You f***ed with the wrong Marine!" face. Because Popovich can be kinda scary.
Shorter name would be “crab dribble” or simply “crabbing”.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
in short traveling
Ginobelieve!---That is Matt Bonner straight down the lane with the dunk,I repeat Matt Bonner down the lane with the dunk!LoL---NBA guy that recaps the games on NBA.com(Spurs-T'Wolves recap)---Manu is the god of basketball-write it down in your list of Greek gods.Zeus says its official---his a fan!
Whatever the pundits are saying – even the famously, almost-always correct on playoff predictions John Hollinger – does not matter in this year’s playoffs. Against the Mavs, the team that everybody picked to challenge the Lakers, the Spurs had 4 dismal playoff games; the ones that I’m talking about are games 1 & 5, for the obvious reason being that we Lost, and games 3 and 4, when the Spurs failed to connect on 3 pointers for one game and Tim Duncan and Ginobili played horribly in the other.
But what makes this playoffs that more unpredictable is that the Spurs could play horribly, even the Spurs’ Big Three, and we can still win. No Spurs fan could have foretold us winning games 3 and 4 with the way that we played. But that’s what makes this year’s Spurs so great: they are unpredictable, they can beat teams in various ways, unlike the Spurs of the past that only had the luxury of having the Big Three play great or else we lost.
So these same pundits like Hollinger who are saying that the Suns’ tempo will beat the Spurs in 7 games are basing their opinions on previously seen results: the Suns were the best 3-point shooting team in the league; the Suns beat the Spurs 2 out of 3 games in convincing fashion; the Suns actually play “D” now.
But, as of these 2010 NBA playoffs, the Spurs are a totally different animal that can’t be predicted, and they are therefore capable of shutting down the Suns and producing wins. All previous stats and records produced by the Suns during the season, for this series, should be thrown out the window.
Go Spurs Go!
Boston is just annihilating Cleveland.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on May 3, 2010 9:01 PM CDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Pounding The Rock
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat are moving on to the conference finals
