Spurs vs. Suns Series Previews

[duncan228]

NBA Playoff Preview - Phoenix vs. San Antonio (http://www.seattlepi.com/scorecard/nbanews.asp?articleID=280041)
By John McMullen, NBA Editor
Sports Network

The Western Conference semifinals matchup between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs figures to be a clash of styles with a pair of teams that are intimately familiar with each other.

In recent years, the Suns were beaten by San Antonio in a 2008 first-round matchup and a 2007 semifinal series. Overall the two franchises have matched up nine times in the postseason with the Spurs winning six, including the last four.

"There's great history between us and the Spurs over the past five, six years," said Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire. "It's going to be a great matchup between us and also myself and Tim Duncan. We always take the challenge of playing against each other. So it's going to be another great challenge for us. The Spurs play well in the postseason."

The high-flying Suns will want to push the ball and score in transition, using the incredible playmaking skills of former two-time MVP Steve Nash.

San Antonio, although possessing a quick point guard of its own in Tony Parker, would prefer to walk things up, limit possessions and force Phoenix into a half-court game.

The team that is able to impose its will likely will come put on top.

"It's hard to slow down when you play Phoenix," former NBA coach Doug Collins said. "If we got into rush hour traffic tomorrow and cars were driving fast you'd drive fast with them."

The third-seeded Suns reached the Western semis by downing the banged-up Trail Blazers in six games, clinching things in Portland on Thursday.

The Spurs, meanwhile, became the first seven seed to upset a No. 2 since the NBA went to a best-of-seven first round format in 2003, when they took out in- state rival Dallas in six games.

"We took a pretty good punch," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said after dispensing of the Mavs. "For me that was my favorite part of the game, to see the guys continue to persevere and pursue the basketball. They continued to play hard. They stuck together."

MATCHUPS:

POINT GUARD: The point guard matchup between Nash and Parker should be one to savor. Popovich has actually been starting George Hill at the point since Parker returned from a fractured right hand suffered on March 6 in Memphis. However, when the game is on the line Parker is running things as always.

Hill, the 26th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, has become a key member of the Spurs rotation since Parker went down with the injury. Many believed Hill would go through a sophomore slump, but his ability to run the offense and hit big shots from the weak side against Dallas foiled those accusations.

"I spent most of my summer working on (my jumper) so I could come in here, step up and make big shots," Hill said after disposing of the Mavericks.

In the waning moments of a game, Popovich will always have Parker and star swingman Manu Ginobili on the floor, and choose between Hill and veteran forward Richard Jefferson, depending on who has the hot hand.

Nash, meanwhile, is a proven winner and an unselfish teammate, with a knack for taking and making big shots. The game's best pure quarterback, Nash averaged 15.0 points and 9.8 against Portland but historically has had trouble containing Parker's ability to penetrate off the dribble.

"The difference to me will be how Tony Parker plays," TNT analyst Kenny Smith said. "Steve Nash has had a lot of trouble with Tony Parker over the years. In the last two years, he's had a lot of trouble with him."

EDGE: EVEN


SHOOTING GUARD: Jason Richardson is the barometer for any Phoenix success, The dynamic swingman averaged 28.0 points per game in the Suns' wins and just 14.5 in their two losses against the Blazers. Richardson is one of the NBA's best in transition and when he is putting up big numbers, it means Phoenix is running and gunning.

As good as Richardson can be, he's no match for the Spurs' Ginobili. An elite playmaker and finisher, the Argentine star led San Antonio in scoring during the first round at 19.0 ppg despite suffering a broken nose in Game 3. The fearless Ginobili, who was rewarded with a multi-year contract extension earlier in April, is also the Spurs' closer in late-game situations.

EDGE: SPURS


CENTER: Phoenix remains without the services of starting center Robin Lopez, who is sidelined with a back injury. The 7-footer hasn't played since March 26 but has begun light workouts although a return in this series is doubtful. A bulging disk in Lopez's back has pinched a nerve and caused a loss of strength in his right leg. There is still no timeline for his return.

"I feel a lot better but I still have a ways to go," Lopez told ESPN. "I just started running and you can kind of tell that a little bit."

Jarron Collins has been starting in Lopez's place but offers little other than a big body. Suns coach Alvin Gentry would like to get Channing Frye, a much more skilled offensive player, as many minutes in the middle as possible but Frye is not much on the boards or as an interior defender.

Old faithful, Antonio McDyess, mans the middle for San Antonio these days. McDyess, in his first season with the Spurs, is certainly in the twilight of his career and still has the balky knees, but he can knock down the 15-footer off the pick-and-pop better than most.

EDGE: SPURS


SMALL FORWARD: Jefferson has the athleticism to run with the Suns but has been a bit off a disappointment during his first season in the Alamo City. The former Nets and Bucks star did pick up his play a bit down the stretch, however, and can still get hot every now in again.

Phoenix counters with Grant Hill, the veteran who finally made it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in his 15-year career. Once one of the best players in all of basketball before injuries took their toll, Hill is just a role player these says but he still possesses elite basketball skills and has been able to stay on the floor.

"I'm happy. Amare (Stoudemire) and Steve (Nash) had done a great job," Hill said. "The young guys are getting some playoff experience. I'm done worrying about my legacy, I'm trying to get the Stoudemire legacy going. Hopefully we're not done and we can go on to the second round and do well."

EDGE: SUNS


POWER FORWARD: Two-time MVP, 12-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion Tim Duncan is still the straw that stirs the drink in San Antonio but the finish line is beckoning off in the distance. Duncan had a few poor performances against Dallas but in the end, he still averaged 18.2 points and 9.5 rebounds.

The Finals MVP in 1999, 2003 and 2005, Duncan has now appeared in 166 playoff games, and knows how to win. He may be getting a bit older and losing a step, but Duncan is a cerebral player who can easily change the outcome of any game.

Stoudemire, an All-Star in his own right, offers far more athleticism and scoring ability at this stage than Duncan. He can destroy defenses with his powerful drive to the hoop and incredible leaping ability. He's also improved mightily on the defensive end but it's hard to say anyone has an edge over Duncan in a postseason situation.

"You want to talk about the growth of Amare Stoudemire. Two years ago he never would have stepped in to take the charge, (but now) he's bought in defensively," Collins said. "In fact he had a quote the other day where he said, I never realized that playing defense as a team could be so much fun."

EDGE: SPURS


BENCH: Gentry is not afraid to dip into a very deep bench. As mentioned, Frye gets starter's minutes and can fill it up at times, as can reserve forward Jared Dudley. Leandro Barbosa is a former Sixth Man of the Year, and backup point Goran Dragic, as well as forward Louis Amundson, bring great energy to the floor.

Popovich has fewer options and basically used a six-man rotation against the Mavs with big man Matt Bonner, inconsistent guard Roger Mason and rookie forward DeJuan Blair getting a few minutes here and there.

A car accident before Game 6 against Dallas almost ended Blair's season but the Pitt product only suffered minor injuries.

"It was a freak accident," Blair told the San Antonio News Express. "A piece of paper, or something, flew on my window and startled me. I couldn't see, and I swerved and hit the barrier."

EDGE: SUNS


COACHING: Gentry has done a spectacular job getting the Phoenix franchise back on track after the disastrous Terry Porter experiment but Popovich is one of the best professional coaches in the history of the game.

EDGE: SPURS


PREDICTION: The Suns are far more athletic and deeper than San Antonio but it's hard to bet against the big three of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker along with Popovich. Phoenix obviously wants to run but I would concentrate on pounding the ball down low to Stoudemire in order to get Duncan in foul trouble. Forcing Popovich to use his shaky bench could turn things the Suns' way. That said, San Antonio is far too intelligent a basketball team and should be able to weather the storm.

SPURS in 6

[duncan228]

Robin Lopez: Could Practice Soon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=rotowire-obinopezouldracticeo)

Lopez (back) could join the Suns for their next practice, the Arizona Republic reports.

The team should have a better idea if and when he’ll be able to return to game action once Lopez starts practicing again. Suiting up against the Spurs in the second round hasn’t been ruled out.

[duncan228]

Suns-Spurs: Season series in review (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/04/30/suns-spurs-season-series-in-review/)
by Mike Schmitz
Valley of the Suns

There wouldn’t be a Western Conference playoff race if the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs didn’t find a way to collide on the hardwood. But this year it seemed far-fetched that the epic battles would continue, as the Mavericks were riding high into the playoffs and the Spurs were average all season long.

But as always, San Antonio turned it on when it mattered most, and the Suns finally have a shot at what they have been waiting for since 2005– redemption. With the well-documented history and hatred between these two teams, it would be easy to analyze their all-time, head-to-head matchups.

But these aren’t the Seven Seconds or Less, Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson Suns anymore, and the Spurs aren’t the Big Shot Bob and Bad Boy Bruce Bowen Spurs anymore. With that said, here is how the 2009-2010 Suns and Spurs fared against each other this season:

Game 1: Suns win in Phoenix 116-104 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=291215021) on Dec. 15, 2009

If you look at the box score of this game you can see that Amare Stoudemire had his way with the Spurs (28 points and 14 rebounds), and Steve Nash was stellar both scoring and dishing (25 points and 13 assists). But the real story of the Phoenix win (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2009/12/15/suns-116-spurs-104-dragon-burns-spurs/) was the emergence of Goran Dragic, who burst onto the NBA scene, scoring a then-career high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting (4-of-5 from distance) in only 25 minutes.

This game set the tone for Dragic’s season, as he played with confidence and helped fend off the Spurs with seven fourth-quarter points after the Suns pissed away a 20-point lead. Phoenix couldn’t slow Tim Duncan (34 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks), but the Suns held Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to a combined 6-of-19 shooting and took Game 1 of the season series in convincing fashion.

Slowing down Ginobili and Parker will be the key to the series for the Suns, and they proved that they are capable of doing exactly that in their first meeting.

Game 2: Spurs win in San Antonio 113-110 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300228024) on Feb. 28

Jason Richardson was 8-of-12 with 20 points going into the final minute of action. And just when it looked like the two-time dunk contest champion was going to tie the game up with a breakaway slam with 41 ticks on the clock, J-Rich botched the gimme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7vD1cVhsAc) and the Spurs took the momentum (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/02/28/spurs-113-suns-110-another-bizarre-ending/) all the way to a W.

This game will always have an asterisk next to it in the mind of the Suns. After failing to capitalize on such a big opportunity, that 99 times out of a 100 J-Rich throws down with style, it’s hard not to think ‘what if?’ But although the Suns dropped the game late, they played San Antonio tight from the opening tip to the final buzzer, and STAT absolutely exploded for a then-season high 41 points to go along with 12 boards.

The Suns scored a ridiculous 58 points in the paint but struggled to defend San Antonio, as the Spurs shot 50.6 percent and Duncan, Ginobili and Richard Jefferson all went for 20-plus. With the history between these teams in mind, this is the type of back and forth battle that should be expected in almost every game this series.

Game 3: Suns win in Phoenix 112-101 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300407021) on April 7.

This game was the type of performance that should make Suns fans confident heading into this series. The Suns had so much to play for with the Western Conference playoff race still undecided, and they put the clamps on (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/04/07/phoenix-suns-112-san-antonio-spurs-101-clutch-d-suffocates-spurs/) Duncan and the Spurs, while riding the 29-point performance from STAT.

Despite being out-rebounded by eight and allowing an absurd 20 offensive rebounds, the Suns built their lead to as much as 17, and never allowed Duncan, Ginobili or Parker to get going. When he was on the floor, Dragic did a great job on Ginobili (10 points on 5-of-14 shooting), and the Suns held Duncan to only 14 points and seven rebounds without Robin Lopez.

Parker was also a non-factor with only 10 points in 25 minutes, and the Suns thoroughly dominated San Antonio from start to finish. I have a feeling that the Suns will be watching this game a lot in the next few games, as it is the perfect model of what Phoenix needs to do to take down the Spurs.

Top performers in the Series

Amare Stoudemire: 32.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.67 steals, 56% from the field

Steve Nash: 20.3 points, 12.0 assists, 57.4% from the field, 50% from three

Tim Duncan: 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.33 blocks, 61.7% from the field

The next highest-scoring Spurs in the series were Parker and Jefferson at 13.7 points per game

http://valleyofthesuns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Picture-121.png

[ace3g]

Can't really go by the regular season match ups because neither team especially the Spurs are using the same lineup, one of which had Bogans in the starting lineup. Hill missed that last game with an injury, and the 1st game RJ wasn't playing well.

The Suns had various starting Centers in each of those 3 games.

The Spurs should play the Suns the same way they played the Mavs, let Amare get his pts and stop all their perimeter shooters. Our bench will have to play well this series because the Suns have a lot of energy guys off the bench.

[Josepatches_]

BENCH: Gentry is not afraid to dip into a very deep bench. As mentioned, Frye gets starter's minutes and can fill it up at times, as can reserve forward Jared Dudley. Leandro Barbosa is a former Sixth Man of the Year, and backup point Goran Dragic, as well as forward Louis Amundson, bring great energy to the floor.

Popovich has fewer options and basically used a six-man rotation against the Mavs with big man Matt Bonner, inconsistent guard Roger Mason and rookie forward DeJuan Blair getting a few minutes here and there.

A car accident before Game 6 against Dallas almost ended Blair's season but the Pitt product only suffered minor injuries.

"It was a freak accident," Blair told the San Antonio News Express. "A piece of paper, or something, flew on my window and startled me. I couldn't see, and I swerved and hit the barrier."

EDGE: SUNS





Well,that's not true.You have to put one between Parker or Hill in the bench matchup too.Right now Parker and I can't bet against Parker.I would say even.

Parker> barbosa and Hill>Barbosa right now too.
I wouldn't say Dudley,Dragic,Admunson.... are a lot better than Blair,Bonner,Bogans,Mason... to put the edge on Suns.

[raspsa]

The Spurs defense will be tested to the limit this series and how they fare defensively will determine the outcome:
- perimeter defense to challenge Suns 3-point shooteers
- hounding Nash
- Challenging Stoudemire in the paint

[toki9]

It's going to come down to Parker/Hill exploiting Nash and preventing him from getting others (aside from Amare) going...i think a surprisingly important factor will be Frye's ability to hit from the outside...

[Xylus]

Well,that's not true.You have to put one between Parker or Hill in the bench matchup too.Right now Parker and I can't bet against Parker.I would say even.

Parker> barbosa and Hill>Barbosa right now too.
I wouldn't say Dudley,Dragic,Admunson.... are a lot better than Blair,Bonner,Bogans,Mason... to put the edge on Suns.

Don't be an idiot.

The Suns seriously have one of the best benches in the league. Gentry puts five reserves on the floor at the same time and they play like our 2nd starting unit.

[DPG21920]

WTF, did anyone know about the Blair car wreck?

[MAZTEXAS]

http://drjamesgalyon.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/go-spurs-go.jpg

[Spursmania]

WTF, did anyone know about the Blair car wreck?

Yes. He twittered he was in a wreck but was ok. It was in one of the threads prior to the game.

[Muser]

Damn, when people pick Grant Hill as having an advantage over you then you fucking suck. And lol @ PG being even.

[TampaDude]

Yes. He twittered he was in a wreck but was ok. It was in one of the threads prior to the game.

Yeah, Blair said the car was questionable for Game 6. :lol

[ffadicted]

I doubt tim guards amare, Dice will get the burn on him for the exact reason that we don't want Timmy in foul trouble. He might in the clutch, but certainly not in the first 3 quarters imo.

[callo1]

The edge to the Suns bench will not happen in this series. Blair will have much more favorable matchup situations, which will give him far more production than against the Mavs. DB will eat glass.

The SF positions are a wash imho.

The Suns simply have no defender who can guard TD, which will lead to quick fouls inside, and the eventual attemp and need for Amare to try and guard Timmy, and we all know what will happen there,

Bonner, yes Bonner will have a much better series against the Suns. I expect Bonner to hit 3's at a 38% clip in the series, which is good enough to pull a Suns big away from the paint.

The backcourt isn't even close. Parker abuses Nash every time they matchup, and now that bruce is gone (still love bruuuce), the Suns can't hide Nash, which means he has to play defense.

The Suns are not a physical team at all. The Suns wings just stay at the 3pt line and wait for kickouts, they don't run off screens to get open, so the Spurs defenders will have fresher legs in this series, which will lead to a higher % for the Spurs on 3's.

George Hill's length will cause all kids of problems for Nash, as his usual circle dribbles and kickouts will lead to many steals and defections by George.

Same strategy as always, give Amare his, and force the other Suns to beat you.

I see the Spurs being very productive with an up temo lineup with RJ, Manu, TP, Hill, and Blair, then when Timmy goes in, Spurs go half court grind.

How physical the teams are allowed to play really impacts this series. If the refs call it close, that helps the Suns, if they let them play, the Spurs will have their way.

Dice will continue to be Dice and will do a decent job on Amare, and Bonner can cover Fry since Fry isn't really a low post threat.

Nash averages 5 To's per and the Spurs win in 5

[duncan228]

Spurs-Suns Preview Capsule (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-spurs-sunscapsule)
By Brian Mahoney

A look at the Western Conference semifinal series between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, which begins Monday (with regular-season and playoff records):

No. 3 PHOENIX SUNS (54-28, 4-2) vs. No. 7 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (50-32, 4-2).

Season series: Suns 2-1. Phoenix shredded San Antonio’s defense, shooting better than 50 percent in all three meetings. The Suns averaged 112.7 points on 51 percent shooting against the Spurs for the season and won both games at home. Even San Antonio’s victory came at Phoenix’s preferred pace, pulling out a 113-110 home victory on Feb. 28 despite 41 points and 12 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire. Steve Nash averaged 20.3 points and 12 assists.

Storyline: Off to a strong start in a rare role as postseason underdogs after upsetting Dallas in the first round, the Spurs now get a chance to deal more misery to Phoenix. San Antonio has ruined plenty of recent seasons for the Suns, eliminating them in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Key Matchup 1: Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan. With Duncan nearing the end of a career that will land him in the Hall of Fame, Stoudemire may have supplanted him as the premier power forward in the Western Conference. Even Duncan couldn’t handle him this season, as Stoudemire averaged 32.7 points and 11.3 rebounds in the series. Duncan did have a pair of double-doubles, including a 34-point, 14-rebound performance in the Suns’ 116-104 victory on Dec. 15.

Key Matchup II: Grant Hill vs. Richard Jefferson. Hill, whom the Spurs wanted to sign a few years ago, scored 17 points in both Phoenix wins but was held to just six in the lone San Antonio victory. Jefferson, so disappointing for much of the season that he was a reserve in the February matchup, has played better late in the season and that was the also the case against Phoenix. Held to four points in the first meeting, he scored 20 and 17 in the last two.

X-Factor: Jason Richardson. Comes into this series on a roll after averaging 23.5 points on 53 percent shooting in the first-round victory over Portland. He hurt the Spurs during the regular season, scoring 20 points in each of the last two meetings while making 15-of-26 shots.

Prediction: Spurs in 6.

[duncan228]

Hip keeps Nash out of practice until Spurs opener (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-suns-nash)
By Bob Baum

Suns point guard Steve Nash plans to be ready for Phoenix’s Western Conference semifinal opener against San Antonio despite a sore hip that is keeping him from practice.

Nash didn’t practice Saturday and will rest again Sunday ahead of Game 1 at home on Monday.

The two-time league MVP strained his right hip during a shootaround before Game 3 of the Suns first-round series against Portland. He says the injury bothered him that night, but he felt better in Games 4 and 5. However, he says the injury was “the worst it’s been” in Phoenix’s series clinching 99-90 victory in Portland on Thursday night.

Coach Alvin Gentry calls Nash’s problem “a little hip thing” and no big deal. Gentry says if it were a big deal, he wouldn’t be so calm.

[Spursmania]

Hip keeps Nash out of practice until Spurs opener (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-suns-nash)
By Bob Baum

Suns point guard Steve Nash plans to be ready for Phoenix’s Western Conference semifinal opener against San Antonio despite a sore hip that is keeping him from practice.

Nash didn’t practice Saturday and will rest again Sunday ahead of Game 1 at home on Monday.

The two-time league MVP strained his right hip during a shootaround before Game 3 of the Suns first-round series against Portland. He says the injury bothered him that night, but he felt better in Games 4 and 5. However, he says the injury was “the worst it’s been” in Phoenix’s series clinching 99-90 victory in Portland on Thursday night.

Coach Alvin Gentry calls Nash’s problem “a little hip thing” and no big deal. Gentry says if it were a big deal, he wouldn’t be so calm.

http://knowyourmeme.com/i/27514/original/314pmo7-768173.jpg?1258749132

[duncan228]

Robin Lopez (back) optimistic about return (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=1494&line=135913&spln=1)

Suns center Robin Lopez (bulging discs) practiced on Saturday for the first time in five weeks and feels he will return during the second round.

This refutes an earlier report that he is doubtful for the series vs. San Antonio, though the real test will come when he's re-evaluated on Monday. His presence would be a big boost for the Suns as they battle Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair and co.

Source: Paul Coro via Twitter (http://twitter.com/paulcoro)

[Spurs Brazil]

Hip keeps Nash out of practice until Spurs opener
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
23 minutes ago

Buzz up! 34 PrintPHOENIX (AP)—Phoenix playmaker Steve Nash(notes) sat out practice on Saturday and will do so again on Sunday to rest his sore right hip.

The two-time league MVP said the rest should make him ready for Monday night’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the San Antonio Spurs. The team had Friday off, so that would mean three days’ rest before he plays again.

“It’s getting better,” Nash said on Saturday. “I’ve had two good days, so I’m really fortunate that we don’t play until Monday. It will give me a chance to recover a little bit. “

The 36-year-old point guard strained the hip during the shootaround before Game 3 of the Suns’ first-round series against Portland. He says the injury bothered him that night, but he felt better in Games 4 and 5. However, he says the injury “was pretty bad” in Phoenix’s series clinching 99-90 victory in Portland on Thursday night.

“It was the worst that it’s been, so a couple of days here are really good for me,” he said.

Coach Alvin Gentry called Nash’s problem “a little hip thing” and no big deal.

“If it was a big deal I wouldn’t be so calm,” Gentry said.

Nash struggled through much of Thursday’s game, starting with a career-worst six first-quarter turnovers. He finished with 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting with seven turnovers. But he had two big plays down the stretch, penetrating the lane and passing to Amare Stoudemire for a dunk, then sinking his only 3-point attempt of the night.

Gentry said he saw no reason to put Nash through a practice, deadpanning “I think he has a pretty good idea of what we’re trying to do.”

“We were going to go pretty hard today. I didn’t want him out there doing that,” Gentry said. “I gave him the day off. He came down, shot some, got some treatment and he’ll do the same tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, center Robin Lopez(notes) has increased his participation in practice as he works his way back from a back injury (bulging disk). Gentry said he is not going to put any pressure on the 7-footer to return.

“It’s going to be totally up to him,” Gentry said. “If he feels great and he’s ready to go that will be fine. If he’s not, we’re not putting him out there. I can tell you that right now.”

Lopez said he’s optimistic he could play at some point in the series, where his size would be an obvious help against Tim Duncan(notes).

“It’s up to the leg, it’s up to the nerve,” Lopez said.

He’s not ready to play yet, though.

“If I played today,” Lopez joked, “I think Duncan might get that quadruple double he was aiming for a few years’ back.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=An_s6SklZG6jozt80fVacXe8vLYF?slug=ap-suns-nash

[duncan228]

Suns, Spurs set to enter latest chapter of playoff rivalry (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/30/suns.spurs.preview/index.html)
By Fran Blinebury, for NBA.com

This is the NBA's 21st century version of the Hatfields and the McCoys, though as blood feuds go it has been very one-sided. In the Suns' last five playoff appearances dating back to 2003, the Spurs have been the team that has bounced them four times. In fact, the only time Phoenix has beaten San Antonio in the postseason during the Tim Duncan Era (2000), Duncan did not play due to injury.

The Spurs have broken the Suns' heart and their lips time and time again. There was Duncan's last-second 3-pointer just ahead of the horn. Then there was Robert Horry's hip-checking of Steve Nash into the scorer's table and the resultant suspension of Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for running onto the court, to name just a few bad memories in the desert.

Now the Suns are carrying the mantle of the No. 3 seed in the West and a convincing first-round win over Portland. But here come the Spurs, finishing strong over the last month of the season to slip into the playoffs in the No. 7 spot and then stunning No. 2 seed Dallas to set up another showdown with Phoenix.

Five quick questions (and answers)

1. Who guards Manu Ginobili? (Eventually, Grant Hill.)

2. How do the Suns handle Tim Duncan? (With a lot of the same double-teams they used on LaMarcus Aldridge.)

3. Will Robin Lopez play? (The Suns' center has stepped up rehab for a bulging disc in his back and could make an appearance.)

4. Who starts at the point for San Antonio? (George Hill. Don't change what's working.)

5. Is health an issue for either side? (Steve Nash has been slowed by a hip injury for 1 ½ weeks and needs to be in top form for a Suns win.)

When Phoenix has the ball

It's all about pace and tempo for the Suns. They want to keep things moving fast and take advantage of opportunities in the transition game to finish at the rim and get themselves plenty of wide open jumpers. Nash and Stoudemire will run the pick and roll as often as possible, trying to get the big man chances close to the basket. Stoudemire has made remarkable strides over the past two or three months of the season, getting better overall feel for the game and not trying to force shots that aren't there. He's become an adept passer in traffic and can find his teammates cutting to the hoop.

The Spurs will have to take care of business on the backboards, because the Suns are a very good offensive rebounding bunch and thrive on getting themselves second chances at the basket. Just as Portland did in the opening round, San Antonio will try to keep plenty of bodies on Nash, who is bothered by a strained hip. They'll play him physically and hope that takes its toll as the series progresses. Somebody has to cover up Jason Richardson's sniping from the wings.

When San Antonio has the ball

After four championships and taking ownership of the last decade, there are no secrets here. They want to establish Duncan in the low post and run things through him. Ginobili continued his late-season flourish with an outstanding series against Dallas and presents constant matchup problems inside, outside, above the rim, down on the floor, any place on the floor that he gets to with the basketball. Second-year point guard George Hill will likely continue to start at the point with Tony Parker coming off the bench. Hill has shown willingness and an ability to make big plays and have big games on offense.

There will come a time in the series when the Suns turn to the length and the veteran smarts of Grant Hill to match up with Manu Ginobili. The 37-year-old is the best option for stopping Ginobili from getting into the lane, just as he did against Andre Miller in the previous series. Jared Dudley, who has quick hands and a hard-nosed attitude, will come off the bench to get his share of time on Manu.

In the clutch

Though Alvin Gentry isn't afraid to use his much-improved bench even in crucial situations, there's no way he isn't putting the ball into Nash's hands and letting the maestro go to work in the clutch. Pick and roll to Stoudemire, backdoor lob to Richardson or step-back 3-pointer for himself, it's all at his fingertips.

When the game gets late and things get crazy, Gregg Popovich will be watching and waiting along with everyone else in the building to see what Mr. Unpredictable -- Ginobili -- will pull out of his sleeve. Truth is, most of the time not even Ginobili knows what he's going to do before he does it, which only makes him more difficult to stop.

Wild cards

In only the second trip to the playoffs of his career, Richardson has said he wants to be the Suns' wild card and if he can knock down the 3-pointer with the same success rate (51.2 percent) he had in the Portland series, he'll be a tough cover for the Spurs and could provide the difference.

There is nobody wilder whenever Ginobili steps onto the court. But in a series where the Suns are outstanding at going to the boards and getting themselves second chances, Spurs rookie DeJuan Blair could be invaluable with his nose for the ball while cleaning the glass at both ends of the court.

The Pick

After all the times having their hearts broken by San Antonio, the Suns finally have depth and just enough defense to squeak by in 7.

*********************

Series Matchup Page (http://www.nba.com/playoffs2010/westseries5/index.html)

http://www.nba.com/playoffs2010/westseries5/index.html

[da_suns_fan]

As always, thanks for posting the articles duncan228. I dont think the Suns need Lopez to win this series.

Im much more concerned about Nash.

[MmP]

Grant Hill on Manu?

[da_suns_fan]

Grant Hill on Manu?

Probably on Hill or Parker. Let Jefferson try to create for himself or others and watch the Spurs try to keep pace with the Suns.

[da_suns_fan]

Spurs-Suns Preview Capsule (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-spurs-sunscapsule)
By Brian Mahoney

A look at the Western Conference semifinal series between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, which begins Monday (with regular-season and playoff records):

No. 3 PHOENIX SUNS (54-28, 4-2) vs. No. 7 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (50-32, 4-2).

Season series: Suns 2-1. Phoenix shredded San Antonio’s defense, shooting better than 50 percent in all three meetings. The Suns averaged 112.7 points on 51 percent shooting against the Spurs for the season and won both games at home. Even San Antonio’s victory came at Phoenix’s preferred pace, pulling out a 113-110 home victory on Feb. 28 despite 41 points and 12 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire. Steve Nash averaged 20.3 points and 12 assists.

Storyline: Off to a strong start in a rare role as postseason underdogs after upsetting Dallas in the first round, the Spurs now get a chance to deal more misery to Phoenix. San Antonio has ruined plenty of recent seasons for the Suns, eliminating them in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Key Matchup 1: Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan. With Duncan nearing the end of a career that will land him in the Hall of Fame, Stoudemire may have supplanted him as the premier power forward in the Western Conference. Even Duncan couldn’t handle him this season, as Stoudemire averaged 32.7 points and 11.3 rebounds in the series. Duncan did have a pair of double-doubles, including a 34-point, 14-rebound performance in the Suns’ 116-104 victory on Dec. 15.

Key Matchup II: Grant Hill vs. Richard Jefferson. Hill, whom the Spurs wanted to sign a few years ago, scored 17 points in both Phoenix wins but was held to just six in the lone San Antonio victory. Jefferson, so disappointing for much of the season that he was a reserve in the February matchup, has played better late in the season and that was the also the case against Phoenix. Held to four points in the first meeting, he scored 20 and 17 in the last two.

X-Factor: Jason Richardson. Comes into this series on a roll after averaging 23.5 points on 53 percent shooting in the first-round victory over Portland. He hurt the Spurs during the regular season, scoring 20 points in each of the last two meetings while making 15-of-26 shots.

Prediction: Spurs in 6.

:lol

The Suns won the season series, got off any shot they wanted, had the best player, the best point guard, the best small forward and their shooting guard is playing lights out right now.

Thus, we are predicting the Spurs.

[duncan228]

Suns vs. Spurs — Matchup breakdown (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/05/01/suns-vs-spurs-matchup-breakdown/)
Posted by Mike Schmitz
Valley of the Suns

For the better part of the last decade, the San Antonio Spurs have been a thorn in the side of the Phoenix Suns. Anytime the Spurs have needed a big bucket in crunch time they’ve delivered, and Phoenix has struggled to slow Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

The Spurs have some new weapons this season, but the Suns are also much improved defensively since the Mike D’Antoni era. As always, playoff basketball is a game of matchups, so here is the matchup breakdown amongst the Suns and Spurs starters:

Steve Nash vs. George Hill

Head-to-head

Nash: 20.3 PPG, 12.0 APG, 3.7 TO, 57.4 FG%, 50.0 3P%

Hill: 8.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 46.2 FG%, 33.3 3P%

This matchup certainly gives the Suns some serious trouble. Hill is San Antonio’s hottest player right now — 14.3 points in 35.0 minutes per game in the Dallas series — and Suns fans know all to well about Nash’s defensive deficiencies.

Hill does have a nice three-point shot, but he likes to attack the basket, which is something that Nash severely struggles to defend. So don’t expect Nash to defending Hill all game, especially when Tony Parker checks in.

But Hill will have his hands full with the two-time MVP as well, and with no Bruce Bowen to constantly grab him and knee him below the belt, expect Nash to continue to produce against the Spurs just like he did during the regular season.

Advantage: Nash


Jason Richardson vs. Manu Ginobili

Head-to-head

Richardson: 14.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 48.5 FG%, 50.0 3P%

Ginobili: 12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 34.3 FG%, 18.8% 3P%

Ginobili has struggled shooting the ball against the Suns this season, which is a huge reason why Phoenix took two of three from the Spurs. The crafty lefty has absolutely killed the Suns in years past, but Phoenix has the options to give Ginobili a few different looks this time around.

Richardson should start the game on Ginobili, but expect both Goran Dragic and Jared Dudley to check him when they’re in the game, and Alvin Gentry will probably give the Andre Miller stopper, Grant Hill, a few cracks at the Argentinean as well.

Ginobili has always been a thorn in the side of the Suns, but this year things could very well be different.

Advantage: Ginobili


Grant Hill vs. Richard Jefferson

Head-to-head

Hill: 13.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 51.5 FG%, 60.0 3P%

Jefferson: 13.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 53.6 FG%, 37.5 3P%

As I mentioned before, Grant Hill may be asked to stifle Ginobili or even Parker at times but I expect Gentry to start him out on Jefferson. Aside from Duncan, RJ has been arguably the most successful Spur against the Suns this season.

He is the ultimate slasher, and if the Spurs decide to get out and run he will be the beneficiary more often than not. But Hill is Phoenix’s best defender and Jefferson averaged a mediocre 9.2 points per game in the Dallas series.

As long as the Suns can keep Jefferson off of the offensive glass and keep track of him when he doesn’t have the ball, he shouldn’t be too big of a factor.

Advantage: Jefferson


Amare Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan

Head-to-head

Stoudemire: 32.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.67 SPG, 56.3 FG%

Duncan: 23.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.33 BPG, 61.7 FG%

This matchup will most likely determine the outcome of the series, and luckily for the Suns, STAT has always been locked in against Duncan and company. This season has been no exception, as he’s exploded for 32.7 points per game against San Antonio, including a 41-point, 12-rebound game in a losing effort (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/04/07/phoenix-suns-112-san-antonio-spurs-101-clutch-d-suffocates-spurs/).

Duncan is still one of the league’s premier defenders and shot-blockers, but Amare has also solidified himself as one of the NBA’s most explosive big man. The winner of this battle may be the winner of each game, but the Suns proved against Portland that they can come out on top even when Amare isn’t himself offensively.

STAT needs to get going early and stay out of foul trouble against Duncan, especially with Phoenix’s depleted front line.

Advantage: Stoudemire


Jarron Collins vs. Antonio McDyess

Head-to-head

Collins: 1 game, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 TO

McDyess: 5.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 47.9 FG%

This matchup is hardly worth talking about. Collins won’t play more than 15 minutes, but he can play some useful minutes against Duncan and McDyess. The former Sun is nothing special, but his veteran presence, rebounding ability and outside jumper definitely can’t hurt the Spurs.

Advantage: McDyess


Suns bench vs. Spurs bench

The Suns bench finally came on near the end of the Portland series, and Dudley and Channing Frye were the catalysts. Dudley should have a huge role in this series as he may guard Parker, Hill, Ginobili and Jefferson all in the same game.

Frye’s three-point prowess will also be huge for the Suns, as his ability to pull Duncan and company away from the hoop opens up lanes for Amare and the Phoenix guards. Dragic and Barbosa will also have a big role in trying to check the Ginobilis, Hills and Parkers.

The Spurs bench isn’t quite as impressive as Phoenix’s, but anytime you have Parker coming off of the pine you can’t complain. He has torched the Suns in years past and Phoenix needs to keep him in check, plain and simple.

Other than Parker and DeJuan Blair the Spurs bench doesn’t have too much to offer.

Advantage: Suns bench

[LakerHater]

Just click on the years!!



http://www.nba.com/suns/playoffs/playoffs2010_rivalry.html

[crc21209]

I just don't see how some people are saying that this is the best Phoenix team that they've ever had. Seriously? I mean some of the past Suns teams had some damn good players...for example: Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Joe Johnson, Shaq, Marion, etc. This may be the best shooting Phoenix team but even at that their 3 point shooters (Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye) did not come to life until Game 5 of their 1st round series. They were ice cold up until that game..

[duncan228]

Upstarts bring out the best in the NBA playoffs (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/01/AR2010050102509.html)
By Michael Wilbon
The Washington Post

...The Spurs, as they enter the second round, perhaps should be the favorite in the Western Conference. George Hill, the second-year guard who now starts ahead of Tony Parker, gives the Spurs a young and athletic presence the team desperately needed. And Parker can be devastating, as he was in Game 6 against Dallas, coming off the bench. Richard Jefferson took longer to find his niche with the Spurs than anybody wanted, but he finally fits.

And to think that the Spurs came so close to finishing eighth and would have drawn the Lakers in the first round. Now, the Spurs get the Suns in the second round, which might just be the most entertaining series in these playoffs. No two teams in the last eight years have played series as dramatic as the Suns and Spurs. Remember, Joe Johnson's broken cheek came in a series against the Spurs, as did Steve Nash's busted and bloody nose, as did Amare Stoudemire averaging 37 points per game against Tim Duncan, as did the suspension of Stoudemire and Boris Diaw in a move that likely took an NBA championship from the Suns and gave it to the Spurs in 2007. The two have played four series against each other, the Spurs have won all four times and will be favored to make it five.


...And that would leave a final four of Cleveland vs. Orlando and the Spurs and Lakers, four teams that have all been to the NBA Finals since 2007, two multiple-time champs vs. two Bridesmaids, the four best teams in the league from where we sit now, teams that will separate themselves not based on seeding, but on talent, experience and ultimately performance. The NBA playoffs, through one round, have had just enough surprises to liven up the postseason and scare favorites like the defending champion Lakers into playing their best.

[galvatron3000]

Spurs in 5

[duncan228]

Suns recent playoff history haunted by San Antonio (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-spurs-sunshistory)
By Bob Baum

Demons lurk for the Phoenix Suns in their upcoming playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

They were also there in Game 1 of the 2007 Western Conference semifinals, when the Suns’ Steve Nash collided head-on with Tony Parker. A cut on Nash’s nose bled uncontrollably and he was forced to sit out 45 seconds of the critical final minute of a close loss in Phoenix.

A week later, in Game 4 in San Antonio, the Suns were wrapping up a victory with 18 seconds to go when Robert Horry slammed Nash into the scorer’s table with a hockey-style hip-check. Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw came off the bench to Nash’s defense.

The result, an automatic one-game suspension for Stoudemire and Diaw for “leaving the vicinity of the bench.” The short-handed Suns lost Game 5 in Phoenix, then the Spurs clinched the series with a win in San Antonio and went on to win the NBA title.

Of his three Suns teams that lost to the Spurs in the playoffs, Nash said that one “was equal to or better than they were, for sure.”

A year later, the Suns and Spurs met in the first round, and Game 1 hastened the end of the Mike D’Antoni era in Phoenix.

First, Michael Finley’s 3-pointer forced overtime. Then, as the final second ticked off in the first overtime and the Suns leading 104-101, Tim Duncan made his only 3-pointer of the season. The Spurs went on to win the game in double overtime and took the series 4-1. Soon, D’Antoni left for the New York Knicks.

“I don’t believe in curses, so I can’t say that I feel cursed,” Nash said, “but have we had a few bad breaks? Yeah.”

Four of the last five times the Suns have been in the playoffs—dating to 2003—San Antonio has been the team that eliminated them. They meet again on Monday in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry, D’Antoni’s assistant in losses to the Spurs in 2005, 2007 and 2008, insists this is a different team and that history has no bearing. Only Nash, Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa remain from that 2007 Phoenix team.

“We’ve got plenty of guys that haven’t even been around for any of those series,” Gentry said, “so why talk about them, why go back, why revisit them? I don’t see anything beneficial in any of that, really.”

Stoudemire is the only player still on the team who was part of all four of those playoff defeats. He was a rookie, and Stephon Marbury was the point guard on the 2003 Suns team that lost to the Spurs in six games in 2003.

“I’ve played against them so many times where I know exactly what they’re capable of,” Stoudemire said. “For our young guys, it’s very important to let them know what the Spurs are all about.”

The Suns’ Grant Hill was around for only the most recent series loss to the Spurs, and he recalls how devastating that 2008 Game 1 was.

“It was such a heartbreaker, such a tough loss,” Hill said. “Not just that we lost but how we lost. We were up big, Duncan hits a 3, Finley hits a 3. It took us maybe two or three games to recover, and by then the series was over.”

Regardless of what Gentry said, don’t think Nash isn’t happy to get another crack at Duncan, Parker, Manu Ginobili and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

“Even though it’s been lopsided it’s a pleasure to play against a franchise as strong as they have been and the battles we’ve had in the past,” Nash said. “So, to get another chance to play them is great. These are the things I think you’ll remember more than most things when your career is over.”

Most of these Suns, however, aren’t burdened with that frustrating history.

“That’s not even part of who we are, what we’re about,” Jason Richardson said. “That’s in the past. The fans are still going to remember that, of course. But this is something different with a new team. We’re a different team and we want to establish something new.”

[Trainwreck2100]

wow Wilbon with the revisionist history Johnsons broken cheek/orbital bone came against Dallas. Also why do they compare Duncan and Amare, when they won't be guarding each other

[da_suns_fan]

Upstarts bring out the best in the NBA playoffs
By Michael Wilbon
The Washington Post

And to think that the Spurs came so close to finishing eighth and would have drawn the Lakers in the first round. Now, the Spurs get the Suns in the second round, which might just be the most entertaining series in these playoffs. No two teams in the last eight years have played series as dramatic as the Suns and Spurs. Remember, Joe Johnson's broken cheek came in a series against the Spurs, as did Steve Nash's busted and bloody nose, as did Amare Stoudemire averaging 37 points per game against Tim Duncan, as did the suspension of Stoudemire and Boris Diaw in a move that likely took an NBA championship from the Suns and gave it to the Spurs in 2007. The two have played four series against each other, the Spurs have won all four times and will be favored to make it five.

Epic fail.

[callo1]

Wilbon is just another mass-produced BSPN cookie cutter moron who can't get his facts right even with somebody feeding him the information through his earpiece.

ESPN hires people and tries to make lemmings out of them. Elliott wouldn't follow and was released, same will happen to Bruce.

Avery is a yes man, so he will be just fine...he fits right in.

[TD 21]

Well,that's not true.You have to put one between Parker or Hill in the bench matchup too.Right now Parker and I can't bet against Parker.I would say even.

Parker> barbosa and Hill>Barbosa right now too.
I wouldn't say Dudley,Dragic,Admunson.... are a lot better than Blair,Bonner,Bogans,Mason... to put the edge on Suns.

I don't know if on paper you'd call the Suns deeper, but the games aren't played on paper and the reality is, based on this season, the Suns are deeper. Without Lopez they go nine deep with contributors. Let's face it, Pop basically full trusted only six guys in the Mavs series. The Suns are so comfortable with their bench that it's not uncommon to see all five in at once. Where they're deeper is on the wings. Whereas the Spurs don't have a single reliable wing player off the bench, the Suns have two (even though one is really a combo guard): Barbosa and Dudley.

That being said, would I be stunned if the Spurs got, if not more mileage, better production out of their bench in this series? No. They have the best bench player in the series by a wide margin and have, if not better, at least as good backup bigs. On top of that, the Suns lack a true sixth man. Barbosa is one in theory, but he's playing limited minutes now and isn't nearly as prominent a player as he's been in years past.

The Spurs should activate Hairston for this series. It shouldn't be out of the question that he see spot minutes as the ninth man ahead of Bogans or Mason at this point. At the very least, it should be considered, which means it's best if he's at least on the active roster so that option is available in game. Temple has done a fine job all things considered, but barring injury his services are no longer required for the remainder of this season.

[tuncaboylu]

Against Dallas Bogans and Blair were useless and Pop cut the rotation to 6. But I'm expecting a 9 players rotation in Suns series, Blair can defend Amare and Bogans can be used for defending J-Rich. Moreover Bonner will take time when Frye is on the court. That's why, i don't think that Pop will play a shortened rotation, he usually doesn't do it.

[taps]

Michael Wilbon's journalism is vomit-inducing.

[callo1]

Inactivate Mason so Hairston can be active. Hairston can matchup much better against Richardson, and provides better scoring and rebounding.

I doubt Pop will do it, but I would.

[EricB]

Hairston is hurt.....

[ffadicted]

LMAO @ all the excuses for the Suns, my favorite being how the NBA "took the championship from the suns and gave it to the spurs" in '07. Gimme a fucking break

[BillMc]

Just click on the years!!



http://www.nba.com/suns/playoffs/playoffs2010_rivalry.html

Thanks very interesting. Duncan is now 5-0 in the playoffs against the Suns (He did not play in 2000 ). He is also 5-0 vs Nash if you include his time in Dallas.

Neither Nash nor Ama're have ever defeated the Duncan lead Spurs in a playoff series. How can they not think of that?

[tp2021]

Suns, Spurs set to enter latest chapter of playoff rivalry (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/04/30/suns.spurs.preview/index.html)
By Fran Blinebury, for NBA.com

This is the NBA's 21st century version of the Hatfields and the McCoys, though as blood feuds go it has been very one-sided. In the Suns' last five playoff appearances dating back to 2003, the Spurs have been the team that has bounced them four times. In fact, the only time Phoenix has beaten San Antonio in the postseason during the Tim Duncan Era (2000), Duncan did not play due to injury.

The Spurs have broken the Suns' heart and their lips time and time again. There was Duncan's last-second 3-pointer just ahead of the horn. Then there was Robert Horry's hip-checking of Steve Nash into the scorer's table and the resultant suspension of Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for running onto the court, to name just a few bad memories in the desert.

Now the Suns are carrying the mantle of the No. 3 seed in the West and a convincing first-round win over Portland. But here come the Spurs, finishing strong over the last month of the season to slip into the playoffs in the No. 7 spot and then stunning No. 2 seed Dallas to set up another showdown with Phoenix.

Five quick questions (and answers)

1. Who guards Manu Ginobili? (Eventually, Grant Hill.)

2. How do the Suns handle Tim Duncan? (With a lot of the same double-teams they used on LaMarcus Aldridge.)

3. Will Robin Lopez play? (The Suns' center has stepped up rehab for a bulging disc in his back and could make an appearance.)

4. Who starts at the point for San Antonio? (George Hill. Don't change what's working.)

5. Is health an issue for either side? (Steve Nash has been slowed by a hip injury for 1 ½ weeks and needs to be in top form for a Suns win.)



Series Matchup Page (http://www.nba.com/playoffs2010/westseries5/index.html)

http://www.nba.com/playoffs2010/westseries5/index.html
If you click on the link, the graphic has Tony as the starting PG :lol

[duncan228]

Western Conference Previews (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/britt_robson/04/30/semifinal.suns.spurs/index.html)
Semifinals
#3 Suns (54-28) vs #7 Spurs (50-32)
Britt Robson
SI.com

The Suns and their fans should be craving this matchup. Beating the Spurs would start to rectify all sorts of perceived wrongs -- injuries, suspensions, bad juju -- that have bewitched this entertaining but lopsided postseason rivalry that includes two San Antonio triumphs (in 2005 and 2007) when the Spurs were the lower seed. Besting the uber-fundamental Gregg Popovich-Tim Duncan crew would also trump skeptics (such as yours truly (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/britt_robson/03/02/suns.notes/index.html)) who have questioned the defensive spine and rugged resolve Suns' coach Alvin Gentry has fostered in Phoenix.

Unlike the Celtics' whupping of Dwyane Wade and the Heat, there was enough grit and magnificence in San Antonio's toppling of the Mavs to validate the Spurs' status as a viable championship contender. Their Big Three remain selflessly resourceful and cold-blooded in crunch-time, and are now ably abetted by a pair of role players who really stepped up in the first round: George Hill and Antonio McDyess. Even Richard Jefferson has caught half a clue on how to function in Pops' system. The lower-seeded Spurs are the solid favorite. That should be just the way the quietly red-hot and underappreciated Suns like it.

Key Matchup

Manu Ginobili vs. Grant Hill. This series is loaded with compelling matchups, including the contrasting styles of Duncan and Amar'e Stoudemire in the low block and the perennial Steve Nash versus Tony Parker fireworks out at the point. It?s not even certain that Ginobili and Hill will be regularly guarding each other, although after the job Hill did on Portland's Andre Miller to turn around the Suns' first-round series, it's hard to imagine Gentry eschewing the chance to put his best perimeter defender on the catalyst of the Spurs' offense. Hill has two inches and 15 pounds on Ginobili, and is one of the precious few NBA players with the spidery physique and genius basketball IQ to cover the crafty Manu out on the perimeter while refusing to be suckered into fouls by his up-fakes and careening stop-and-go penetration. And as a 43.8-percent shooter from three-point range with quickness and handle enough to get to the cup, Hill is capable of giving Ginobili a dose of his own medicine at the other end of the court. Both players are absolutely vital to their teams' success, and both are fierce, high-character, perpetual motion competitors. What a treat it will be if they get the chance to test each other?s endurance in such a high-stakes setting.

X-Factor

Suns: The Bench. Even more than fundamental, the word that best characterizes the Popovich-Duncan quasi-dynasty is relentless. San Antonio's unremitting competence has broken Phoenix in previous playoffs series, but this year?s Suns are a deeper team than past editions. They can counter Pops' gambit of bringing Parker off the bench not only with the similar go-go energy of Leandro Barbosa, but the playmaking prowess of Goran Dragic, Phoenix's counterpart to George Hill. If San Antonio's physicality is starting to overwhelm Stoudemire and Channing Frye, Gentry can trade size for sinew and sub in Jared Dudley and Louis Amundson. This depth has provided crucial succor to geriatrics, like Nash and Grant Hill, and enabled Stoudemire to exert himself on defense (for a change). Phoenix wouldn?t be here without its bench.

Spurs: Richard Jefferson. Failing to account for the explosive offense of Jason Richardson -- and failing to exploit Richardson's mediocre defense -- doomed Portland in their first-round series with Phoenix. If Jefferson is ready to atone for his underwhelming regular season and continue the gradual improvement he has shown since mid-March, he is capable of reducing the value J-Rich gives the Suns. Honorable mention x-factor status goes to McDyess, whose mid-range jumpers were vital in beating the Mavs and could be equally timely in this series; and Tony Parker, whose selfless ability to flourish in a diminished role has allowed Pops to maximize George Hill's confidence and contribution.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is probably the most underrated team among the eight remaining playoff contenders. They boast the most potent offensive trio in Stoudemire, Nash and Richardson, as well as underappreciated depth and remarkable consistency -- they haven't lost two games in a row since late January. I had them finishing out of the playoffs in my season preview and wrote in early March that they lacked enough defense to succeed in the postseason. Even after losing center Robin Lopez to a back injury, they proved me wrong both times. Thus, it wouldn?t surprise me to see them beat the Spurs.

But San Antonio seems destined to be Phoenix's bete noire. The Spurs love to play up-tempo -- they finished 21-5 against the eight fastest-paced teams in the NBA, including 3-1 versus the Suns. Phoenix has proven it can score on San Antonio -- their 112.7 per game average was more than five points higher than any other Spurs' opponent this season -- but not that it can beat them. San Antonio is healthy, hungry and primed for one last championship campaign. It will continue at least into the conference finals.

Spurs in six.

[m33p0]

Leandro Barbossa, huh?

[exstatic]

Damn, is Nash having bad flashbacks to Horry? His hip is hurting already?

[SpurAddict561]

lmao@ Suns bench being better

Tony > the whole Suns bench

[SpurAddict561]

Just click on the years!!



http://www.nba.com/suns/playoffs/playoffs2010_rivalry.html


Awesome post!


I just don't see how some people are saying that this is the best Phoenix team that they've ever had. Seriously? I mean some of the past Suns teams had some damn good players...for example: Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Joe Johnson, Shaq, Marion, etc. This may be the best shooting Phoenix team but even at that their 3 point shooters (Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye) did not come to life until Game 5 of their 1st round series. They were ice cold up until that game..

NO SHIT man! I was arguing with a Suns fan on another site about the same thing

Suns had Joe Johnson, Nash, Diaw, Amare & Marion in 2005 and the best record in the NBA and we ROLLED THEM worse than any other series we faced them in.

How quickly fans forget.

[duncan228]

Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs: Keys to a Round 2 Playoff Victory (http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/5/2/1455024/phoenix-suns-vs-san-antonio-spurs)
by Seth Pollack
Bright Side of the Sun

Some quick notes from today's practice before we get into the keys to the series.

* Robin practiced again today and participated in full court drills. Gentry was ask if he would put Lopez on the active list for Game 1, "We'll have to see. We'll see."

* It very well could be that Alvin is just playing some mind games here and I would be shocked if Robin played in the first two games and yet, you never know.

* If he responds well and looks and feels good on Monday, why not suit him up. We know he hates sitting by the water cooler. Even if he only comes in for 5 or 10 minutes his first time out, that's one big step closer to getting him back on the court for 25 per game.

* If Robin can make it back in this series, the Spurs are going to have a really hard time. In his first match-up with Tim he got torched in single coverage but Robin is a smart guy and will get better with more reps. If nothing else, he gives some hard fouls and a different look. He can also patrol the paint and help on the glass. Then if by Games 6 or 7 he can start running the pick and roll and again and get some of those fancy lobs from Steve...watch out. There is no question in my mind that with a healthy Robin Lopez, the Suns will win this series and the signs seem to be moving in that direction.

* Gentry said he received a case of win from Gregg Popovich's vineyard in Oregon. He said the note basically said, lets go kick each others ass. Those guys are friends from when Gentry was on the Spurs staff. Alvin quipped that he was going to return the favor by sending Pop a bottle of Boons Farm.

* Nash didn't practice again today, but no one seems the least bit concerned about him playing well in Game 1.

Keys to the Series

Keep Reading... (http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/5/2/1455024/phoenix-suns-vs-san-antonio-spurs)

[duncan228]

Suns-Spurs : Phoenix Will Exorcise Postseason Demons (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-sunsspursphoenixwill)
SportingNews

Where the Suns have the edge

History may be looming over Phoenix as they take on their playoff nemesis, the team that eliminated them—in frustratingly bizarre fashion if you’re a Suns backer—in ’05, ’07 and ’08, but in reality, this is a different team. PG Steve Nash, PF Amare Stoudemire and G Leandro Barbosa are the only Suns remaining from the teams that couldn’t get past the Spurs. Still, the Suns will lean on the same Nash-Stoudemire combo that’s been their bread and butter for six seasons now, especially against San Antonio, which doesn’t have the defensive personnel to contain Stoudemire. Nash’s hip injury is a concern, but he was able to play through it in the Portland series. But the guy the Spurs will need to cool off is SG Jason Richardson, who was excellent in the first round, shooting 51.2 percent from the 3-point line.

Where the Spurs have the edge

San Antonio comes into the series on a roll, having finished the regular season on an 18-8 run against a tough stretch of opponents and finishing off the Mavericks in a six-game upset in the first round. The Spurs still have C/PF Tim Duncan, of course, and the offense runs through him. But the key has been SG Manu Ginobili, who resurrected what seemed to be a flickering career in the second half of the season. He averaged just 13.4 points on 40.3 percent shooting before the All-Star break, then averaged 21.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting in the second half. He broke his nose in the Dallas series, which will be a concern for the Spurs, but he still managed to put up 19.0 points per game and 5.0 assists, and how the Suns defend him (Richardson, SF Grant Hill, F Jared Dudley) will be a key.

Wildcard

Few things can hurt a team as much as letting a center knock down 3s—you do everything right on defense, and look up and there’s a 6-10 guy popping a 3 on you. Both the Spurs and the Suns have bigs who can do just that: C Channing Frye for the Suns and C/F Matt Bonner for the Spurs. In Phoenix wins, Frye shoots 46.6 percent from the 3-point line (37.9 percent in losses). In San Antonio wins, Bonner shoots 44.6 percent on 3s, and 30.4 percent in losses.

Xs and Os

Coach Alvin Gentry has great confidence in his second unit of PG Goran Dragic, Barbosa, F Jared Dudley, F Louis Amundson and Frye, and the Suns go 10 deep. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t have that luxury. He will play Parker off the bench, and will have tough choices after that. He could go with rookie PF DeJuan Blair. He could go with Bonner. Or he could try to match the small lineups that Phoenix plays in crunch time with his own small lineup, with F Richard Jefferson at power forward and Ginobili at small forward. Phoenix’s rotations have been pretty consistent all year, but Popovich’s rotations will be fluid.

SNumber

101.4. That’s the scoring average this season for the Spurs, whose reputation as a dominating defensive team isn’t quite accurate anymore. Their opponents’ shooting percentage was 45.2 percent this year, which was 20th in the league—their own shooting was 47.3 percent, sixth in the NBA. Phoenix also allowed 45.2 percent, but shot 49.2 percent (first in the league).

Outlook

Phoenix in 7: The Suns have many demons to exorcise in this series, and given their history against the Spurs, who knows what bizarre twist awaits Phoenix? If there are not broken bones or odd suspensions, the Suns are the better team and have homecourt advantage.

[majinkoola]

Suns had Joe Johnson, Nash, Diaw, Amare & Marion in 2005 and the best record in the NBA and we ROLLED THEM worse than any other series we faced them in.

How quickly fans forget.

I know, how quickly I forgot about Diaw being on that 2005 team. Especially when he was traded in the summer of 2005 for Joe Johnson.

Anyway, the 05 team was a complete gimmick. This year's team is way more similar to the 07 team. It had a bench, played an actual C at C and PF at PF, and rebounded decently

[m33p0]

after reading all these articles and analysis, i'm beginning to think we don't have a chance against 'em run 'n gun suns.

[Manudona]

Nash should call Horry to get that hip checked :rolleyes:

[Pero]

Suns had Joe Johnson, Nash, Diaw, Amare & Marion in 2005 and the best record in the NBA

Error, does not compute. :lol



and we ROLLED THEM worse than any other series we faced them in.


Uh yeah but the 2005 Spurs team was probably also the strongest of all Spurs teams against the Suns. 2005>>2010

[SPURSCHAMP]

lol duncan228 i read like 2/3rds of your posts and then stopped, there's so many lol

[da_suns_fan]

Awesome post!



NO SHIT man! I was arguing with a Suns fan on another site about the same thing

Suns had Joe Johnson, Nash, Diaw, Amare & Marion in 2005 and the best record in the NBA and we ROLLED THEM worse than any other series we faced them in.

How quickly fans forget.

The irony! :lol

1) Joe Johnson was out the first two games and came back with a face mask.

2) Joe Johnson was traded for Boris Diaw, bud.

[hsxvvd]

Nash >> Hill
Richardson < Ginobili
Hill = Jefferson
Stoudamire >> McDyess
Collins/Lopez <<< Duncan

Barbosa <<< Parker
Frye = Blair
Dudley > Bogans
Dragic > Mason
Amundson > Mahinmi

Gentry <<< Pop.

Phoenix 7
Spurs 10

+3 Spurs edge.

[SpurAddict561]

My bad, don't know why I added Boris..I saw his name in this thread and I pictured him on that team

I remember that team being scary as hell

[Cant_Be_Faded]

You guys are getting way too confident.

The more I mull it over, we are going to have a very tough time defending The Suns.

[TampaDude]

You guys are getting way too confident.

The more I mull it over, we are going to have a very tough time defending The Suns.

The Suns are going to have more trouble defending us. Spurs in 6.

[mytespurs]

Hip keeps Nash out of practice until Spurs opener
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
23 minutes ago

Buzz up! 34 PrintPHOENIX (AP)—Phoenix playmaker Steve Nash(notes) sat out practice on Saturday and will do so again on Sunday to rest his sore right hip.

The two-time league MVP said the rest should make him ready for Monday night’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the San Antonio Spurs. The team had Friday off, so that would mean three days’ rest before he plays again.

“It’s getting better,” Nash said on Saturday. “I’ve had two good days, so I’m really fortunate that we don’t play until Monday. It will give me a chance to recover a little bit. “

The 36-year-old point guard strained the hip during the shootaround before Game 3 of the Suns’ first-round series against Portland. He says the injury bothered him that night, but he felt better in Games 4 and 5. However, he says the injury “was pretty bad” in Phoenix’s series clinching 99-90 victory in Portland on Thursday night.

“It was the worst that it’s been, so a couple of days here are really good for me,” he said.

Coach Alvin Gentry called Nash’s problem “a little hip thing” and no big deal.

“If it was a big deal I wouldn’t be so calm,” Gentry said.

Nash struggled through much of Thursday’s game, starting with a career-worst six first-quarter turnovers. He finished with 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting with seven turnovers. But he had two big plays down the stretch, penetrating the lane and passing to Amare Stoudemire for a dunk, then sinking his only 3-point attempt of the night.

Gentry said he saw no reason to put Nash through a practice, deadpanning “I think he has a pretty good idea of what we’re trying to do.”

“We were going to go pretty hard today. I didn’t want him out there doing that,” Gentry said. “I gave him the day off. He came down, shot some, got some treatment and he’ll do the same tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, center Robin Lopez(notes) has increased his participation in practice as he works his way back from a back injury (bulging disk). Gentry said he is not going to put any pressure on the 7-footer to return.

“It’s going to be totally up to him,” Gentry said. “If he feels great and he’s ready to go that will be fine. If he’s not, we’re not putting him out there. I can tell you that right now.”

Lopez said he’s optimistic he could play at some point in the series, where his size would be an obvious help against Tim Duncan(notes).

“It’s up to the leg, it’s up to the nerve,” Lopez said.

He’s not ready to play yet, though.

“If I played today,” Lopez joked, “I think Duncan might get that quadruple double he was aiming for a few years’ back.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=An_s6SklZG6jozt80fVacXe8vLYF?slug=ap-suns-nash

It seems just about every team remaining has some injury to a key player: Lakers: Bynum, Kobe, Odom Cavs: Lebron, Suns-Nash/Lopez; Spurs: manu.....geez, the only teams that appear completey healthy are Orlando and Boston.

[superbigtime]

The Spurs should activate Hairston for this series. It shouldn't be out of the question that he see spot minutes as the ninth man ahead of Bogans or Mason at this point. At the very least, it should be considered, which means it's best if he's at least on the active roster so that option is available in game. Temple has done a fine job all things considered, but barring injury his services are no longer required for the remainder of this season.

Yes I hope to see Hairston activated, but haven't heard word about his ankle. Presumably healed??? He plays hard, smart ball. If he has Pop's trust I think he could contribute significantly. I would rather see him than Bogans at any rate.

[TMTTRIO]

By the way it sounds like Manu's kids are on there way any time now. Hopefully it won't be during one of the games.

Manu Ginobili A los sumo en 2 o 3 semanas más llegan Dante y Nicola!! No lo puedo creer! Qué poquito que falta!! || In no more than 2 or 3 weeks Dante & Nicola will be here with us! Can't believe it! Almost there!

[TD 21]

Yes I hope to see Hairston activated, but haven't heard word about his ankle. Presumably healed??? He plays hard, smart ball. If he has Pop's trust I think he could contribute significantly. I would rather see him than Bogans at any rate.

I saw him shooting in the background of one of the practice videos the other day. He said after he sprained it that he was hoping to be active for game one. Maybe that was just typical player talk, because obviously he'd want to play in the playoffs, even if he wasn't at 100%. But the mere fact that he even said it indicated that his sprain wasn't severe.

Even if he was good to go, Pop more than likely would have stuck with Temple to start the series because of Hill's own lingering ankle sprain and then after that he probably just figured, "why make a change now when neither are going to play anyway?".

But with how poorly Bogans and Mason played in the Mavs series, Hairston should not only be active at this point, but serious considering should be given to playing him. It's not ideal, because he won't receive an ounce of respect from the refs, being that he has no name recognition and he has very limited experience, plus he figures to be out of rhythm.

However if Bogans and Mason continue to not look like, not just not NBA players, but not professional players period, then the Spurs will need an alternative backup wing option to play 8-10 just-don't-kill-us minutes in at least a couple of games in this series, which goes every other day until game seven.

[da_suns_fan]

Nash >> Hill
Richardson < Ginobili
Hill = Jefferson
Stoudamire >> McDyess
Collins/Lopez <<< Duncan

Barbosa <<< Parker
Frye = Blair
Dudley > Bogans
Dragic > Mason
Amundson > Mahinmi

Gentry <<< Pop.

Phoenix 7
Spurs 10

+3 Spurs edge.

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[superbigtime]

I saw him shooting in the background of one of the practice videos the other day. He said after he sprained it that he was hoping to be active for game one. Maybe that was just typical player talk, because obviously he'd want to play in the playoffs, even if he wasn't at 100%. But the mere fact that he even said it indicated that his sprain wasn't severe.

Even if he was good to go, Pop more than likely would have stuck with Temple to start the series because of Hill's own lingering ankle sprain and then after that he probably just figured, "why make a change now when neither are going to play anyway?".

But with how poorly Bogans and Mason played in the Mavs series, Hairston should not only be active at this point, but serious considering should be given to playing him. It's not ideal, because he won't receive an ounce of respect from the refs, being that he has no name recognition and he has very limited experience, plus he figures to be out of rhythm.

However if Bogans and Mason continue to not look like, not just not NBA players, but not professional players period, then the Spurs will need an alternative backup wing option to play 8-10 just-don't-kill-us minutes in at least a couple of games in this series, which goes every other day until game seven.

Thanks TD 21. I so agree. I hope Pop sees it this way and gives Hairston some PT because beyond Tony the bench gets iffy, even with Blair. I'm just hoping for decent play from Bonner. Mason is just garbage and I hope game 5 confirmed that fact in Pop's mind, but you just never know. Hairston would play smart ball, he can finish a break, and D up while playing confident not-so-error-prone ball. He was playing well before the ankle injury but coming back in the second round could be wishful thinking on my part.

The PHX bench has players that can play well and sometimes very well, like Frye, Dragic and even Amundsen. Spurs are going to need solid consistent play from all the starters including RJ because we just don't have that many reliable bench players.

[TD 21]

Thanks TD 21. I so agree. I hope Pop sees it this way and gives Hairston some PT because beyond Tony the bench gets iffy, even with Blair. I'm just hoping for decent play from Bonner. Mason is just garbage and I hope game 5 confirmed that fact in Pop's mind, but you just never know. Hairston would play smart ball, he can finish a break, and D up while playing confident not-so-error-prone ball. He was playing well before the ankle injury but coming back in the second round could be wishful thinking on my part.

The PHX bench has players that can play well and sometimes very well, like Frye, Dragic and even Amundsen. Spurs are going to need solid consistent play from all the starters including RJ because we just don't have that many reliable bench players.

He should at least have him active to have the option available in game. I expect Mason to get the first crack. Once he inevitably fails, Pop will turn to Bogans. Once he inevitably doesn't fare much better, he'll either forgo playing a backup wing altogether or turn to Hairston.

I expect Blair to have a better series than last, which would be huge. If the Spurs can at least count on a seventh player, that would help a great deal, because it's tough enough to get by on six, but that becomes even more pronounced when three of the six are old and the series goes every other day until game seven.

[superbigtime]

I have absolutely zero faith in Mason. None. Despite his successes last year. At least Bogans can play some D and doesn't chuck 3s with 15 seconds left on the shot clock. But his shooting percentage is a black hole too. I can't believe how utterly awful both of them played in game 5, even when the game was out of reach and there was nothing on the line.

If Blair doesn't get singled out by the refs and stays out of foul trouble, he can be that reliable bench player. He can out hustle any of the PHX players. And good things tend to happen when he is on the floor. I'm hoping for a great game 1.

[duncan228]

Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa could be key against San Antonio Spurs (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/05/02/20100502phoenix-suns-leandro-barbosa.html)
by Paola Boivin
The Arizona Republic

*********************

Opponent Analysis: The San Antonio Spurs (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/05/02/opponent-analysis-the-san-antonio-spurs/)
by Michael Schwartz
Valley of the Suns

[duncan228]

Phoenix Suns' Grant Hill talks San Antonio Spurs series, NBA playoffs, more (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/05/02/20100502phoenix-suns-grant-hill-spurs.html)
by Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic

[duncan228]

Suns/Spurs Series Preview (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/05/sunsspurs-series-preview/)
I don’t do quagmires.
by Dennis Tarwood
SLAM

“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. These are things we do not know we don’t know.”
—United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

Phoenix Suns fans know what they need to know about the San Antonio Spurs. An informal poll in Phoenix of media and fans revealed this matchup was the one most dreaded in the first round. (Note that the Lakers were practically out of reach during this ‘poll’ as the Suns were not really in contention for the eighth spot at that time.)

The venom in Phoenix creates the loudest crowds at US Airways Arena at any point during the season, louder than Kobe hate. (And that’s some mighty fine hate.) Of course, one is loathe to refer to this as a rivalry as we know the Suns haven’t bested the Spurs in the playoffs since 2000, when Tim Duncan (known heretofore as The Merlin Wall (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/04/game-notes-spurs-at-suns/)) couldn’t play.

The San Antonio Spurs think they know what they need to know about themselves. Even late in the regular season, they felt confident that they had a sense of rhythm back. Gregg Popovich told the assembled media (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/04/game-notes-spurs-at-suns/) in Phoenix a month ago that he only feared the Lakers in the Playoffs (and who knows whose leg he was pulling there).

We know we get to lean on the pace canard again in this series; the Suns will win if they run and the Spurs will drag their feet and rebound the basketball and so on.

We all know the Suns struggled a bit against a Portland Trail Blazers squad lacking depth, talent, and (in the case of Rudy Fernandez) a sense of purpose. We know the Spurs put down the 55-win Dallas Mavericks, a gifted roster, like it was an act of mercy: humanely, cleanly, and without regret.

We clearly know how this series will go down.

We don’t know a damned thing.

For example, we know the Suns blew the doors off the Blazers in three of the six games, making the series less of a struggle than previously intimated. We also know the Mavericks, nominal #2 Western Conference seed, could not have been less impressive in their series against the Spurs. Who tested whom, exactly?

We know big guards tear up Steve Nash. We know fast guards whip by Steve Nash. We know Steve Nash can’t guard…. uhm, guards, apparently. We also watched Tony Parker and Co. give Jason Kidd a 7.0/1.5 AST/TO ratio in six games. We also know Jason Kidd would love a comparison to Steve Nash these days. So what do we really know about the point guard matchup?

We know the Suns took the season series 2-1, but we also know only the last game’s rosters remotely resemble the ones that will participate in this series.

We know Duncan, Antonio McDyess, and DeJuan Blair will chew up the Suns’ interior and spit out the seeds. Except the Suns would prefer to leave those six barely-functional knees in the breeze during in-game wind sprints. How many ACLs do you need to see the back of Amar’e Stoudemire’s jersey repeatedly?

Also, the Suns stood with the tallest trees in the league when Robin Lopez patrolled the lane as a starter mid-season. Alvin Gentry, who has sighed and shrugged and looked at the ceiling wistfully when Lopez’s timetable for return from a back injury came up recently, now has started flirting with the notion that Robin Lopez may not only play in this series but could be on the active roster Monday night. What do we know about the presence and abilities of a weakened Robin Lopez?

Do we know George Hill at all?

And we sure as hell don’t know what we don’t know. Who knew a Nash bash would help decide the 2007 edition?

So what do we actually know about this series?

We know Manu Ginobili can count on ordering room service in Phoenix.

We know that bungee cords will be attached to all Suns players not currently in the game to prevent them from ever leaving the bench area.

We know referee selections for the series will be watched closely. (Is there any chance Joey Crawford doesn’t work this series?)

We know what we said in the first round (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/04/sunsblazers-series-preview/): the Suns’ second unit is better than yours.

We know the Suns haven’t bested the Spurs since the 2000 NBA Playoffs. We also know the Alamo hasn’t had a victory in a good long while. These both hold the same historical relevance.

We know it’s a requirement of sportswriters everywhere to predict series despite knowing all we know, all we don’t know, and all we don’t know we don’t know about this matchup and finding most of the entries in the latter two categories.

So we’ll take the Phoenix Suns in seven games, though we wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed in any other outcome. Take it from us; we did pick the Suns in six (http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/04/sunsblazers-series-preview/) in the last series. (And you know what that’s worth.)

“If I know the answer, I’ll tell you the answer. And if I don’t, I’ll just respond cleverly.” - Rumsfeld

[duncan228]

NBA playoffs second-round matchups (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/36816175/ns/sports/)
NBC Sports

Phoenix Suns (3) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SUNS: Jason Richardson
With almost an outside-in approach to the game, opening his penetration by converting a series of 3-pointers, Richardson was Wade-like during various stages of the first-round elimination of the Blazers, highlighted by his 42-point effort in Game 3. When Richardson is on, the Suns become as balanced as almost any team in the postseason, with the force of Amare Stoudemire, the passing of Steve Nash and the scoring of Richardson. It will get tougher against the defense of the Spurs, but if San Antonio succeeds in slowing the pace, Richardson's ability to score in the halfcourt could become crucial.

SPURS: George Hill
There figures to be plenty of small ball in this series, and Hill has turned the dynamic upside down for the Spurs, allowing Tony Parker to enter fresh and taking some of the scoring burden away from Manu Ginobili. Now you could have Tony Parker entering against Goran Dragic, instead of being off to the races at the outset against Steve Nash. Hill had his best moments in the Spurs' victories against the Mavericks, after his scoreless game in the opener created concerns. Controlling pace will be critical, as will his ability to score in the halfcourt. For the Suns, it mostly remains Nash or bust. With the Spurs, there now is the ability to ride the hottest hand at the point and often play three-guard offense.

INTANGIBLES

SUNS: While LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby had their moments for Portland in the first round, there wasn't a true post game to contend with against the Blazers. That allowed Amare Stoudemire to conserve ample energy for offense and allowed the Suns to play small. This time, there will be a post game to deal with, including, possibly, the beef of DeJuan Blair. There also will be something a bit more fleet of foot to contend with at the point. And that means having to offer plenty of help for Steve Nash against either George Hill or Tony Parker. The Blazers entered the first round ailing; the Spurs enter on the rise. In some ways, the postseason only now is beginning for the Suns.

SPURS: The Suns know they will load up with stats from Amare Stoudemire. But less certain is what to make of Tim Duncan. He hardly was overwhelming in the first round and if the Suns can push the pace, it could require plenty of energy in closing out on the Suns' lengthy 3-point shooters, such as Channing Frye. After a sizzling start against Dallas, when he scored 25 or more in each of the first three games, the final three games of that series featured four points in Game 4, 11 points and six rebounds in Game 5, and then 1-of-7 foul shooting in Thursday's Game 6 series clincher. The Spurs can say all they want about controlling pace, but the halfcourt game only works when Duncan is efficient, even as the Spurs evolve to a guard-driven offense.

OUTLOOK

Tempo clearly will be the key to this one.

In the opening round, the Spurs slowed the Mavericks, while the Suns pushed the Blazers.

This could wind up as the best series of the entire postseason, what with the history between the two teams and the contrasts.

It seems almost every round in the West features a been-there, done-that matchup, with the exception of the entry of the Thunder.

When the Suns have looked good this postseason, they have looked very good. The Spurs, by contrast, have been methodical, even grinding out their Game 6 victory after first pushing to and then blowing a big lead.

History says the Spurs get through because their style is playoff style, but the Suns almost seem to be on a crusade to prove they're ready for the next step, having stepped it up a bit on the defensive end this season.

Don't be surprised if the bit players step up in this one. In fact, the Grant Hill-Richard Jefferson matchup for the aged could supply a significant swing vote.

More likely is the series will be decided between Amare Stoudemire, who has been scoring but not necessarily rebounding, and Tim Duncan, who has been rebounding but not necessarily scoring.

Homecourt didn't determine Mavericks-Spurs and it likely will only play a small role in this one.

PREDICTION

As soon as the Spurs take one of the first two in Phoenix, the doubts will enter the equation. Gregg Popovich has set up the West bracket exactly the way he wanted, saving the Lakers for last. Spurs in six.

[duncan228]

DAVID FLORES: Spurs-Suns series showcases an intense playoff rivalry (http://www.kens5.com/sports/basketball/DAVID-FLORES-Spurs-Suns-series-features-an-exciting-playoff-rivalry-92651564.html)
by David Flores / Kens5.com

*********************

JOE REINAGEL: Spurs fever is once again spreading like wildfire (http://www.kens5.com/sports/JOE-REINAGEL-Spurs-fever-is-once-again-spreading-like-wildfire--92703959.html)
by Joe Reinagel / Kens5.com