San Antonio Spurs fans probably think that after Saturday afternoon's double-overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns, that they simply have the Suns' number again.
And why not? After Tim Duncan's clutch three-pointer to send the game into overtime, the Spurs seemingly followed their leader to victory. But it wasn't that easy.
Shaquille O'Neal, the man Steve Kerr traded for to match up against Duncan, was in foul trouble all game long. But in the times where he was guarding Duncan, he had success.
No one stopped Duncan as his 40 points can attest to. But O'Neal has had good success against Mountain Man Tim in the past, and seemed to give Tim fits, even though he couldn't risk any more fouls.
Also, Amare Stoudamire made two fatal mistakes. One had to do with missing two free throws in the fourth. In the other, he tried to force a drive that resulted in a charging foul when he had an easy jumper available late in the game.
Steve Nash is still brilliant. Well, at least offensively.
Take nothing away from the Spurs. They are the defending champs for a reason. They are a fabulous playoff basketball team. But the Suns still have a chance.
Even after Tim Duncan's 40 points.
Even after losing a game in which they were leading nearly all the way.
Even after not getting much from either Grant Hill or Boris Diaw.
Even after that heartbreaking loss in San Antonio.
This is going to be a great series, and the Phoenix Suns have what it takes to win it.
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3 months ago
I'm not seeing the chance Phoenix has. They make critical mistakes at the exact wrong time every time. Those mistakes will keep them from advancing past round 1.
from 3 months ago
The mistakes that they made were made on San Antonio's court with Shaq being in foul trouble and getting nothing from their small forward position. If those two things change next game, they might be able to afford a few mistakes.
Thanks for the comment!
from 3 months ago
Garrett, This isn't the only game that the Suns have made those critical mistakes. They've done the same things all year long, and it showed up when they played good teams. That's the problem with the playoffs, you only play good teams. I've watched every game this year, and they always find a way to lose when it comes to good teams.
3 months ago
I'm curious to know which Spurs fans you've talked to to make the statement that their fans are "probably" thinking the Spurs have the Suns number. Any true Spurs fan know that our team never thinks that way. That's where the "pounding the stone" concept that has served them well in four championships in nine seasons, comes into play. They take nothing for granted, and know all to well that it was simply game one or a seven game series. In my humble opinion, it's Suns fans and Spurs haters who are jumping to conclusions, making excuses and looking for angles. Spin it any way you like, because my team is just taking it one game at a time. Go Spurs Go!
3 months ago
The Suns have a great chance of coming out victorious in this series.
The only reason why the suns were beat is because they had there best player off the court.
Amare needs to wise upp and throw Shaq on duncan more and the suns will come out with the series.
from 3 months ago
It's always something... Maybe they lost because they don't play defense. Maybe they lost because they couldn't seem to foul the Spurs with 15 seconds left. Maybe they lost because Ginobli went untouched to the basket. Maybe, just maybe they lost because the Spurs are a more mentally tough team.
3 months ago
I think the Suns are a different team this playoffs then they were in the past. With Shaq, they can do so much more and he opens up so much more for them. He also can actually decently guard Duncan.
As for the Spurs, I have a ton of respect for that team. They are the defending champs, but after getting out with a W after yesterday's game, as a simple basketball watcher, my first reaction was they might have their number. I'm not saying the Spurs play with the idea that they are going to roll the Suns.
3 months ago
I think the Suns are a different team this playoffs then they were in the past. With Shaq, they can do so much more and he opens up so much more for them. He also can actually decently guard Duncan.
As for the Spurs, I have a ton of respect for that team. They are the defending champs, but after getting out with a W after yesterday's game, as a simple basketball watcher, my first reaction was they might have their number. I'm not saying the Spurs play with the idea that they are going to roll the Suns.
3 months ago
I think the Suns are a different team this playoffs then they were in the past. With Shaq, they can do so much more and he opens up so much more for them. He also can actually decently guard Duncan.
As for the Spurs, I have a ton of respect for that team. They are the defending champs, but after getting out with a W after yesterday's game, as a simple basketball watcher, my first reaction was they might have their number. I'm not saying the Spurs play with the idea that they are going to roll the Suns.
3 months ago
I think the server hung when I posted my reply. Sorry for the triplicates.
3 months ago
OF course they still have a shot, some of you guys are talking like the spurs blew them out by 20 points! It was a double overtime victory and SanAn had to make some miracle shots to pull it off. This ain't even close to over.
They need to make a Suns-Spurs playoff DVD collection with all their series over the last few years.
3 months ago
i agree that the Suns do have a chance. When you play the home team into double OT in Game 1 why wouldnt you have a chance? If the Suns can win Game 2 then they will have the edge in the series, as home court advantage would change to their favor.
3 months ago
The statistics say different though. They ran a stat yesterday on the game which said teams that win Game 1 win 83% of the time.
However, I think this series is a bit different because it's so even.
3 months ago
Then you may want to admit, if things are so even as you say, then a team with Championship experience, four times over, with the same core players for the last three, might have the mental edge. As much as Suns fans want to deny this factor, it has just as much weight as any other cited.
3 months ago
I really hope you are right Garrett!
3 months ago
Hey Martin,
Sure they have the mental edge. And you don't count out a champion until they are vanished. But I think the Suns now have the right pieces to beat the Spurs. If they don't get it done this year, you might want to make some drastic changes.
Hey Sinister,
I hope I'm right too! While I love what the Spurs do, I'd love to see the Suns finally get past them.
3 months ago
What do Shaq's comment's have to do with Sun's fans and their supposed "whining?" Shaq made a comment, we didn't. Spurs fans constantly whining about Suns fans whining is just as annoying. There is no conspiracy theory about yesterday's game. They lost and it's as simple as that. The Spurs did what they were supposed to do, which was win Game 1 on their floor. Anyone who thinks this series is over because of a 2 point loss in double overtime is crazy. The Spurs played like the Champions they are, and the Suns played well, but not as good as they can. Amare, Diaw and Shaq were in major foul trouble, Amare shot 15-26, Hill had 5, Giricek had 2, Nash was 13-20. Believe me, they can play better. Everyone is acting like the Suns have packed up and gone home. It was one game! And I hate to tell you guys this, but Shaq's comment's were right! The Spurs do flop, but so do alot of teams, including some of the Suns (Raja Bell, i'm looking at you.) The Spurs are a great team, but they aren't perfect. It's ok to admit that your team has some faults. It doesn't make you any less of a fan, in fact it makes you more of one. Ginobli is a flopper, a big one and if he wasn't on your team you would be saying the same thing. Oh, and enough with the Nash flopping after the Horry foul theory please. It was a cheap shot and a flagrant. I don't think it was planned and I don't hate Horry, but come on, if Shaq had done that to Parker, you guys would be demanding a 20-game suspension. Enjoy the fact that when these two teams get together, they provide the best games of the Playoffs. This is going 6 or 7, so get used to it.
3 months ago
This thing must go 7. Please go 7. Basketball fans need it.
3 months ago
Sinister
Obviously there are always going to be reasons. I was just pointing out the reason I think is what costed the suns the game.
And the spurs are more mentally tough but don't tell me mentally tough has to do with Duncan hitting his only three of the season. lol
Mentally tough?
By the way I like the Spurs better than the Suns.
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