Chance for a final Epic Spurs vs Suns matchup?

[pauls931]

Assuming the Suns can win their home games vs a very resilent Portland team (that deserves fans better than Tlong:lol)

Of course the damn game is on TNT:depressed

Anyway, I'm not looking forwards to a healthy portland team in the future... They're a real PITA.

[sribb43]

I really don't see this as an epic series. Spurs are healthy and rolling right now. Suns don't have enough horses to compete IMO. SA in 6 only bc phx has homecourt

[pauls931]

I really don't see this as an epic series. Spurs are healthy and rolling right now. Suns don't have enough horses to compete IMO. SA in 6 only bc phx has homecourt

They still have to beat Dallas...

[sribb43]

They still have to beat Dallas...

assuming the mavs don't do a 180 or a major injury occurs, this series is pretty much over

[BlackSwordsMan]

spurs in 6

[pauls931]

I guess the problem this time around is if the series happens, the Winner gets LA as a reward, followed by Cleveland. No longer a cakewalk like in the past when this series occurred.

[MaNu4Tres]

Spurs have to win the toughest game ahead still, the closeout game. Mavs are a great team that won't go down without a fight.

If Spurs are fortunate to win the 4th game, I think Portland is a tougher matchup for the Spurs as crazy as that may sound.

Spurs have a lot of trouble with Aldridge, Roy and Miller. And they have the length inside to make Duncan work for his points.

Suns on the other hand don't have anyone to guard Duncan, Manu, or Tony.

No offense Suns' fans. I'm hoping the Spurs (if spurs are fortunate to closeout the Mavs) face the Suns.

[FalleNxWiZarDx]

Cavs will win the ring this year, dont worry guys

[Muser]

If Manu/Tony/Hill can beast against Dallas then Phoenix are fucked.

[z0sa]

Phoenix doesn't scare me half as bad as Dallas still does.

[Spursmania]

phoenix doesn't scare me half as bad as dallas still does.

+1

[in2deep]

LMAO at epic matchup.

Spurs will wipe the floor with Sons just like every other playoff year.

[Brazil]

I don't want to talk about hypothetical next serie.

The spurs have a job to finish with the mavs.

[TampaDude]

Cavs will win the ring this year, dont worry guys

Yeah...I'm kinda getting that feeling, too. I hope the Spurs get ring #5 this year, but the Cavs look awfully damn good.

[TampaDude]

I don't want to talk about hypothetical next serie.

The spurs have a job to finish with the mavs.

Yup...we have three chances to win one game. I think we can manage that. If not, we weren't going to win the West, anyway.

[Giuseppe]

I'm tickled pretty pink at the prospect of Spurs Vs. Suns.

[Cry Havoc]

(This is all supposing the Spurs can knock off the Mavs in games 5, 6, or 7)

What, exactly, are the Suns going to do against the Spurs this year that they haven't in years past?

Steve and Amare are going to be abused on the defensive side of things, especially Nash. The Suns can never beat the Spurs as long as he's their point. It will be even worse this year, because they can't stick Nash on Bowen to hide him. Really, who's Nash going to guard this year if the Spurs trot out Hill, Parker, Manu/RJ, Duncan, Dice? This is Nash's worst nightmare defensively. EVERY PLAYER who's going to see major minutes can either blow past him, or back him down.

This team matches up with the Suns about as well as humanly possible. We have bigs to exploit their interior, and guards to get penetration. And we play extremely hard, physical defense -- something that Phoenix has never been able to match.

The Suns have no one to guard: Parker, Hill, Manu, probably not even RJ, Duncan, and I'm thinking even Blair could have his way on the inside.

[Giuseppe]

^I'm giddy.

[mingus]

(This is all supposing the Spurs can knock off the Mavs in games 5, 6, or 7)

What, exactly, are the Suns going to do against the Spurs this year that they haven't in years past?

Steve and Amare are going to be abused on the defensive side of things, especially Nash. The Suns can never beat the Spurs as long as he's their point. It will be even worse this year, because they can't stick Nash on Bowen to hide him. Really, who's Nash going to guard this year if the Spurs trot out Hill, Parker, Manu/RJ, Duncan, Dice? This is Nash's worst nightmare defensively. EVERY PLAYER who's going to see major minutes can either blow past him, or back him down.

This team matches up with the Suns about as well as humanly possible. We have bigs to exploit their interior, and guards to get penetration. And we play extremely hard, physical defense -- something that Phoenix has never been able to match.

The Suns have no one to guard: Parker, Hill, Manu, probably not even RJ, Duncan, and I'm thinking even Blair could have his way on the inside.

uhhhh, Bruce Bowen?? being able to put Bowen on Nash was pretty significant. The question isn't who Nash is going to guard, it's who is going to guard Nash? The Spurs got their asses raped the last time they played the Suns, and it was in part because Nash couldn't be contained like he was when Bowen was defending him.

i still think the Spurs win, but i don't know how anyone can ignore that.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I haven't been paying attention to the Suns series. What's the situation on Lopez? If he's healthy enough to make an impact the series could be close. Dragic's turned into a pretty respectable back for Nash too. Used to be that you could set your watch to Nash playing 40+ minutes and running out of gas down the stretch. Richardson's given them that big scoring guard that Joe Johnson did once upon a time. I don't think they've got enough to beat the Spurs while they are playing this well, but it should make for a series worth watching.

In the end I think the same strategy that spelled victory in years past will still work. Turn Nash into a scorer, stay at home on the shooters, get back on D. While the Spurs don't have a Bruce Bowen to throw at the Suns any more they do have the perimeter depth there's no way to hide Steve Nash defensively anymore. I'm confident that Parker, Manu, Jefferson, or Hill have the skills to make him pay.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

(This is all supposing the Spurs can knock off the Mavs in games 5, 6, or 7)

What, exactly, are the Suns going to do against the Spurs this year that they haven't in years past?

Steve and Amare are going to be abused on the defensive side of things, especially Nash. The Suns can never beat the Spurs as long as he's their point. It will be even worse this year, because they can't stick Nash on Bowen to hide him. Really, who's Nash going to guard this year if the Spurs trot out Hill, Parker, Manu/RJ, Duncan, Dice? This is Nash's worst nightmare defensively. EVERY PLAYER who's going to see major minutes can either blow past him, or back him down.

This team matches up with the Suns about as well as humanly possible. We have bigs to exploit their interior, and guards to get penetration. And we play extremely hard, physical defense -- something that Phoenix has never been able to match.

The Suns have no one to guard: Parker, Hill, Manu, probably not even RJ, Duncan, and I'm thinking even Blair could have his way on the inside.


I agree with pretty much everything here except for the part about no one to guard Parker or Hill, Dragic would do a good job on either one. Duncan and Manu, yep, no one on Phoenix could stop either one from having a huge series. Previously Phoenix could hide Amare and Nash on D with Oberto and Bowen, now Nash will have to guard George Hill and Amare will have to guard McDyess, the 2nd part scares me a lot because Amare has always had a habit of never respecting big men with a mid range shot (or a 3 point shot for that matter), and McDyess's shot is automatic right now. In that respect it will be harder for Phoenix than in years past. I personally would have the Spurs winning in 6, but just for the sake of argument, here's what will be easier for Phoenix:



Duncan is a shell of what he was in 2007 or 2008
As dumb as Gentry is, D'antoni was dumber
Even though he's still on the team, Barbosa isn't one of the main scoring options now like he was in 2007, and if he sucks bad enough he would just stay glued to the bench.
Amare is a better player than he was in 2007 and doesn't need dimes from Nash to score every time. Plus his defense isn't as bad as it used to be.
Regardless of statistics, San Antonio isn't the same intimidating lock down defensive team they used to be. As long and athletic as he is, George Hill doesn't have the size to bother Nash the way Bowen did, and San Antonio doesn't have the interior length they used to.
The majority of Parker's minutes will come against Dragic so he won't rape Phoenix like he used to when Nash guarded him
San Antonio used to always go on runs during the period when Nash and Duncan were both resting and both teams had their 2nd units in. Phoenix's bench has gotten better and San Antonio's bench has gotten worse since 2007, the advantage would be for Phoenix when both 2nd units are in.


I'd still take SA in 6, but it's a stretch to say it will be "even worse this year" given SA's decline from what they were in 2007.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The one thing I will say about Nash is that he (hopefully, you'd like to think so) would be motivated as hell to beat the Spurs, would hustle his ass off on both ends of the court and would do everything humanly possible to play decent defense.

[Xylus]

My main concern is the health of Robin Lopez. We're really a completely different team with him in the lineup, particularly on defense. On offense, he's another interior threat for Nash to utilize, and he frees up space for Amare to do his thing. It's much harder to double Amare when you've got the 7-foot Lopez itching to score.

Without Lopez, Suns lose in 6. With him... ehh, the Suns could make a series of it, but the Spurs are still the slight favorites.

[dbestpro]

The is the last year for the Suns in the playoffs for a while, so they better make it last. I put it at about 10% of an Amare resigning. Without Amare they are a lottery team for a while.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I put it at about 10% of an Amare resigning.

This is based off what?

[tlongII]

Hopefully there will not be another Suns vs Spurs playoff matchup.

[picc84]

This series would only be epic for Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker. Dragic is a good defender but all Parker needs is a screen and he's giving the Suns defense the same sweet loving he has for the past 5 years.

If this series happens I don't see it going past 6. I'm thinking 5.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

This series would only be epic for Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker. Dragic is a good defender but all Parker needs is a screen and he's giving the Suns defense the same sweet loving he has for the past 5 years.


Yeah right, all he needs is a screen. It wouldn't make a difference that Dragic is guarding him instead of Nash.

[lefty]

Yeah right, all he needs is a screen. It wouldn't make a difference that Dragic is guarding him instead of Nash.
lol @ that gif of Deron Williams dancing

[picc84]

Yeah right, all he needs is a screen. It wouldn't make a difference that Dragic is guarding him instead of Nash.

Parker is blazing fast. He gets a screen and starts driving, he's gone. He's too fast for Dragic to catch up and without Lopez the Suns interior D doesn't really present any challenge.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

He's too fast for Dragic to catch up.


You're right, there's no possible way Dragic could go under the screen. You sound like Lee Corso talking about a college football player, "Det boy is fast!"

[picc84]

:lol

So Dragic is that good, eh? I guess we'll see. My prediction is Parker lights him and the Suns up. Your's is apparently that Dragic goes under every screen and thats enough to make Parker disappear. I can't wait to find out who's right.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

:lol

So Dragic is that good, eh? I guess we'll see. My prediction is Parker lights him and the Suns up. Your's is apparently that Dragic goes under every screen and thats enough to make Parker disappear. I can't wait to find out who's right.


Where did I say Parker will disappear? All I'm saying is that he won't be as good against the Suns as he used to be.

[Pero]

The majority of Parker's minutes will come against Dragic so he won't rape Phoenix like he used to when Nash guarded him


Unless Dragic will get more playing time you're wrong about this. Despite coming off the bench, in the playoffs Parker plays 32mpg while Dragic only 12mpg.



San Antonio used to always go on runs during the period when Nash and Duncan were both resting and both teams had their 2nd units in. Phoenix's bench has gotten better and San Antonio's bench has gotten worse since 2007, the advantage would be for Phoenix when both 2nd units are in.



San Antonio supposedly had the best bench in the NBA this year, so I don't know if it's really worse than last year. And in the playoffs Pop hasn't really given any extended minutes to anyone off the bench outside of Parker. So it's not likely both 2nd units will ever be in.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Unless Dragic will get more playing time you're wrong about this. Despite coming off the bench, in the playoffs Parker plays 32mpg while Dragic only 12mpg.



San Antonio supposedly had the best bench in the NBA this year, so I don't know if it's really worse than last year. And in the playoffs Pop hasn't really given any extended minutes to anyone off the bench outside of Parker. So it's not likely both 2nd units will ever be in.


Gentry said he plans on using Dragic more, I hope he's right, but if Dragic gets a solid 20 MPG like he should get then it will limit Parker.

Statistically San Antonio had the best bench, but as a collective unit Phoenix's bench is better.

[Pero]

Gentry said he plans on using Dragic more, I hope he's right, but if Dragic gets a solid 20 MPG like he should get then it will limit Parker.

Cool.



Statistically San Antonio had the best bench, but as a collective unit Phoenix's bench is better.


Could be, but unless Pop doesn't handle the rotation like he has against Dallas, 2nd units won't be going head to head much. And this makes me wonder if Gentry will stick to his usual rotations + giving Dragic more minutes or emulate Pop and leave the starters in more.

[Kamnik]

Gentry said he plans on using Dragic more

When was that?

I doubt Gentry has the wits/guts to play Dragič any significant minutes. (he should seriously cut Nash's minutes in this case and we know he won't do that) Out of any player ever defending Parker Goran is probably the best. (anyone who follows Dragič closely knows that)


Popovich >>>>> Gentry


I just don't see how Suns could upset the Spurs...

Spurs (if healthy) in 5!

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

When was that?

I doubt Gentry has the wits/guts to play Dragič any significant minutes. (he should seriously cut Nash's minutes in this case and we know he won't do that) Out of any player ever defending Parker Goran is probably the best. (anyone who follows Dragič closely knows that)


Popovich >>>>> Gentry


I just don't see how Suns could upset the Spurs...

Spurs (if healthy) in 5!

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/04/25/20100425phoenix-suns-second-unit.html

This article right here, he doesn't directly say it but he pretty much does. Don't bother reading the whole article, there is so much stupidity in that piece of shit journalism it's not even funny.

[Jeremy]

The Blazers scare me more than the Spurs. I just hope we can get to this series.

[ATXSPUR]

I would just like to finish Dallas off first.

[Bob Lanier]

:lmao

[Cry Havoc]

The Blazers scare me more than the Spurs. I just hope we can get to this series.

:lmao

Yeah, it's not like Parker, Manu, and Duncan have ever beaten you guys before.

[da_suns_fan]

This thread has bad Karma written all over it.

I have enough respect of the Mavs/Blazers to not speculate on a second round matchup.

[Killakobe81]

Spurs OWN the suns ...be nice to get some revenge on Suns (if Lakers make WCF0 but i doubt it ...
spurs peaking right now ...

[pauls931]

I think the Suns bench should win outright. As long as Dragic, dudley, and Amundsun are out there I'm good. The good think about this suns team is when Nash sits, it's no longer a guaranteed run by the other team. But portland did prove on occasion that if you beat the shit out of Dragic you can hurt the second unit. Not sure what to expect from the Spurs this time around, but Portland who's still alive is very physical and that has always been the suns achilles heal.

[ezau]

This is a premature thread, Spurs haven't even dispatched the Mavs yet. However, I think I like our chances against the Suns. Then again, these guys are going to be very motivated to take down the Spurs that I won't be surprised if we lose. It's gonna be close.

[pauls931]

This is a premature thread, Spurs haven't even dispatched the Mavs yet. However, I think I like our chances against the Suns. Then again, these guys are going to be very motivated to take down the Spurs that I won't be surprised if we lose. It's gonna be close.

Doing everything I can to get a Mavs vs Blazers 2nd round matchup.

[Muser]

I think the Suns bench should win outright. As long as Dragic, dudley, and Amundsun are out there I'm good. The good think about this suns team is when Nash sits, it's no longer a guaranteed run by the other team. But portland did prove on occasion that if you beat the shit out of Dragic you can hurt the second unit. Not sure what to expect from the Spurs this time around, but Portland who's still alive is very physical and that has always been the suns achilles heal.

:lmao

[mystargtr34]

Whats up with Lopez? When will he be back and whats the injury?

And as for Suns VS Spurs... it hasnt even crossed my mind to be honest. If the Spurs were up 3-1 on any team other than the Mavs (and maybe the Lakers), then i would start looking forward, but this Mavs team is definately capable of beating the Spurs 3 straight times.

[pauls931]

:lmao

I guess hustle doesn't count for much in your book.

[MateoNeygro]

Like MaNu4TReS said, I'd be much more reluctant to face the Trailblazers. They present a slew of match up problems.

[Muser]

I guess hustle doesn't count for much in your book.

Not if the guy sucks no.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I guess hustle doesn't count for much in your book.


This is just my general observation, but imo, guys who have nothing to go on other than hustle and energy but have terrible fundamentals like Lou generally don't contribute as much in the playoffs when everyone is matching their hustle and energy. In this series, we've seen Lou get completely outplayed by a smarter, more polished, fundamental player in Juwan Howard.

Unrelated, word on Lopez is recovery is ahead of schedule and he might actually be ready for the 2nd round. Shocking i thought there was no chance he'd be back.

[pauls931]

This is just my general observation, but imo, guys who have nothing to go on other than hustle and energy but have terrible fundamentals like Lou generally don't contribute as much in the playoffs when everyone is matching their hustle and energy. In this series, we've seen Lou get completely outplayed by a smarter, more polished, fundamental player in Juwan Howard.

Unrelated, word on Lopez is recovery is ahead of schedule and he might actually be ready for the 2nd round. Shocking i thought there was no chance he'd be back.

Good news on Lopez. Maybe you're right on Lou, but that guy makes so many plays just by putting more effort than establish players who wait for the ball to drop to them, or put up weak shots near the hoop. I think he's a fantastic bench player.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Pauls, do you agree that you'd rather see the Suns close the series out by winning a close game rather than a blowout? We both know they're gonna need to win a few close games if they wanna beat the Spurs, might as well get at least some close game experience in the playoffs beforehand.

[Muser]

If it does come to Spurs vs Suns then RJ will be the key with the corpse of Hill on him.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If it does come to Spurs vs Suns then RJ will be the key with the corpse of Hill on him.


Well since game 1 they don't have Hill guarding Batum anymore, they have him guarding Andre Miller and he's done a decent job on him. IMO, the key to the series still hasn't changed, and that's how the Suns plan on playing defense. These are the Suns' three biggest questions for the series:



Who the fuck is going to stop Duncan from getting whatever shot he wants?
Who the fuck is going to stop Manu from getting whatever shot he wants?
How the fuck is Phoenix going to stop San Antonio from grabbing 15+ offensive rebounds every single night.


The questions don't get much simpler than that :lol, but I don't know how Phoenix plans on answering them.

[Muser]

Well since game 1 they don't have Hill guarding Batum anymore, they have him guarding Andre Miller and he's done a decent job on him. IMO, the key to the series still hasn't changed, and that's how the Suns plan on playing defense. These are the Suns' three biggest questions for the series:



Who the fuck is going to stop Duncan from getting whatever shot he wants?
Who the fuck is going to stop Manu from getting whatever shot he wants?
How the fuck is Phoenix going to stop San Antonio from grabbing 15+ offensive rebounds every single night.

The questions don't get much simpler than that :lol, but I don't know how Phoenix plans on answering them.

It's going to be closer than that IMO, like I said before there are only so many times Duncan will hit a 3 or J-Rich will blow a dunk. If the Spurs split the first two games then i'll say Spurs in 6.

[DPG21920]

The suns, if the spurs are lucky enough to advance, would be an extremely difficult match up. Just their energy alone is tough on the spurs. When you combine that w a point guard that can actually score and the fact the spurs have been dreadful from 3, that makes a potential spurs/suns matchup very tough for the spurs.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

It's going to be closer than that IMO, like I said before there are only so many times Duncan will hit a 3 or J-Rich will blow a dunk.

When it comes to Spurs vs. Suns, there is an unlimited amount of things that can go wrong for the Suns.

[galvatron3000]

Epic? :rolleyesThey have never defeated the Spurs so...

[easy7]

Hack a Damp and Hack a Shaq will get us another ring... :lmao

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Hack a Damp and Hack a Shaq will get us another ring... :lmao


fail

[j.dizzle]

Is sideshow bob coming back anytimes soon? If not, Amare would have to go ape shit on the boards cuz Frye is hella soft. If players like Dudely & Frye keep hitting their shots at home, then I dont see SA beating them. This isnt the same team that would punk the suns back in the day.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If all goes well Lopez will be back by the 2nd round, at least based on what the Suns announcers said last night. I'm not a huge advocate of rushing a return from a lower back injury but if there's one part of the Suns to trust it's the training staff.

[Trainwreck2100]

Well since game 1 they don't have Hill guarding Batum anymore, they have him guarding Andre Miller and he's done a decent job on him. IMO, the key to the series still hasn't changed, and that's how the Suns plan on playing defense. These are the Suns' three biggest questions for the series:



Who the fuck is going to stop Duncan from getting whatever shot he wants?
Who the fuck is going to stop Manu from getting whatever shot he wants?
How the fuck is Phoenix going to stop San Antonio from grabbing 15+ offensive rebounds every single night.


The questions don't get much simpler than that :lol, but I don't know how Phoenix plans on answering them.


You forgot
Who the fuck is Steve Nash going to "guard?"

[pauls931]

Pauls, do you agree that you'd rather see the Suns close the series out by winning a close game rather than a blowout? We both know they're gonna need to win a few close games if they wanna beat the Spurs, might as well get at least some close game experience in the playoffs beforehand.

I'll take any win they can pull of. I'm sure they've had their share of close games during the regular season anyway. I just want to see a good defensive effort and adjustments to Portland's offense which seems to consist of turnaround jumpers and 3's off of high picks... which required going over picks, helping and rotating a lot.

Would like to see Lopez back, but reintroducing someone in the playoffs is almost always death.

[da_suns_fan]

If all goes well Lopez will be back by the 2nd round, at least based on what the Suns announcers said last night. I'm not a huge advocate of rushing a return from a lower back injury but if there's one part of the Suns to trust it's the training staff.

The Suns training staff is excellent, but we know that Suns players have been rushed back or were allowed to return before they were ready.

Joe Johnson was pressured to return in 05 after he broke his skull.

Raja was allowed to return playing with one calf.

And of course...there was the Amare debacle in 2006.

However, I would agree that this time might be different as we seem to have a much smarter coach.

D'Antoni kept blathering to the media that if Amare could run and jump, then he could help the Suns.

Gentry has said many times that they are planning as if Lopez wont be there. If he does come back, great. If not, they were expecting as much.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The Suns training staff is excellent, but we know that Suns players have been rushed back or were allowed to return before they were ready.

Joe Johnson was pressured to return in 05 after he broke his skull.

Raja was allowed to return playing with one calf.

And of course...there was the Amare debacle in 2006.

However, I would agree that this time might be different as we seem to have a much smarter coach.

D'Antoni kept blathering to the media that if Amare could run and jump, then he could help the Suns.

Gentry has said many times that they are planning as if Lopez wont be there. If he does come back, great. If not, they were expecting as much.

From what I heard JJ came back later than he could have because his sack of shit agent didn't want possible sub-par games affecting his next contract. That injury is pretty simple, once there is surgery to repair his face and he gets the fitted mask, no real reason why he can't come back.