Observations of opposing fans

[George Gervin's Afro]

I noticed something today on a suns board that I have seen other places throughout the season. This notion of gaining a phsycological advantage over ther Spurs with a win. I wish I could talk to these people and explain we have been through so many battles with the lakers and Pistons over the years we are awfully tough mentally. Does anyone buy this 'getting into their head' business? In my opinion we have 'phsycological advantage over the entire Western Conference.. any thoughts?




:fro

[101A]

I noticed something today on a suns board that I have seen other places throughout the season. This notion of gaining a phsycological advantage over ther Spurs with a win. I wish I could talk to these people and explain we have been through so many battles with the lakers and Pistons over the years we are awfully tough mentally. Does anyone buy this 'getting into their head' business? In my opinion we have 'phsycological advantage over the entire Western Conference.. any thoughts?




:fro

I agree.

No team is going to get into the Spur's heads. However, with a win tonite, the Spurs are all in the Sun's heads.

[boutons_]

I do.

Spurs beating the Mavs, 2-1 while the Mavs are having a fantastic season MUST place a small doubt and fear in the Mavs.

Likewise, the Pistons beathing the crap out of the Spurs twice this season MUST do the same to the Spurs.

Spurs beating the Suns tonight will help the Spurs in the playoffs. The Suns/fans will rationalize that with Amare and Thomas in the playoffs, it will be different.

With Tim being hobbled probably for all of this season+playoffs, Spurs need every advantage they can get. Losing to top teams in Mar/Apr doesn't help the Spurs toughness and confidence.

The Clips thoroughly beating the Spurs MUST help the Clips as the look towards Spurs/Clips first round series. Clips have been giving the Spurs difficulties these last 2 seasons, even while losing. Now they have finally beat the Spurs convincingly.

[101A]

...

The Clips thoroughly beating the Spurs MUST help the Clips as the look towards Spurs/Clips first round series. Clips have been giving the Spurs difficulties these last 2 seasons, even while losing. Now they have finally beat the Spurs convincingly.

After falling to the 8th seed, the Clippers will have lost all confidence.

I think they will stay at 5 or 6.

[ShoogarBear]

What they REALLY mean is giving their team a future psychological advantage in feeling that they CAN beat the Spurs. It's not about putting doubt in the Spurs' heads, it's getting doubt out of theirs.

[JamStone]

The psychological advantage is overrated for playoff experienced teams, and most especially overrated with respect to championship tested teams. A psychological advantage might work on a team that is young, inexperienced, and hasn't done anything in the playoffs. But, the teams that have won it all are for the most part too mentally tough to get psyched out.

That's why the Pistons have NO MENTAL ADVANTAGE over the Spurs. The Spurs know they can still win it all. Now will they? Maybe, maybe not. But, it won't because they will mentally fold. Same thing goes for the Pistons. If they lose, it's because they will be beat, not because they will lose it under the psychological pressure.

Now, a team like Dallas, who has never been able to beat the Spurs in the playoffs. They can probably fold under the pressure, especially Dirk since he's the one guy who has experienced losing to the Spurs. It's like what the Lakers had over the Blazers and Kings. It's like what Boston had over the Hawks and Pistons ... UNTIL the Pistons finally did beat the Celtics in 1988. Like the Bulls over the Cavs.

The psychological edge will always favor the team that has had the past success, UNTIL it is changed, and the other team wins.

Spurs are too good, too experienced to feel the pressures of a psychological disadvantage from any team, including the Pistons. If the Spurs lose, they will get beat, not psyched out.

[FromWayDowntown]

I can't believe that fans of the mid-range NBA teams could think that a win over the Spurs would create doubt in the Spurs minds. These guys have been through this too many times. 2003, they lost 3 of 4 to Phoenix in the regular season and still beat them (though with some struggles) in a playoff series -- if not for a ridiculous 3 pointer by Amare and Steph's game-winning prayer, the Spurs win that series handily. In 2004, they struggled all season with Memphis, but swept them during the playoffs. Last year, the Spurs were beaten badly in Denver and again in Game 1 of the First Round, but took the next 4. I don't see how anyone could view a regular season win against the Spurs as doubt-inducing.

[picnroll]

Suns beat the Spurs up in the 2003 regular season and then the Spurs knocked them out 4 - 1 in the playoffs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

um no team can beat the spurs in a 7 games series, i dont see any of those scrub western powerhouse teams win 4 games against us.

[Obstructed_View]

I saw the Lakers eliminate what I thought was a vastly superior Spurs team on two separate occasions. It's a proven formula. It's also the only chance anyone else has.

[FromWayDowntown]

um no team can beat the spurs in a 7 games series, i dont see any of those scrub western powerhouse teams win 4 games against us.

I don't know that that's a fair statement, though I hope you're right. I think there are several teams that could beat the Spurs in a 7 game series, but I think some of those teams will need some help to get that done.

I do think, though, that a win like Tuesday's is a boost to the hopes of fans like Clippers fans. They have some reason to think that their team can compete with the Spurs, which is the first step toward believing that their team can actually defeat the Spurs in a playoff series. It's the same as the belief that Nuggets fans had last year -- get a big home win towards the end of the regular season (regardless of circumstances surrounding that game) and it builds some belief that your team might actually be as good or better than that opponent. As we've all seen, though, the difference between winning a game here and there and winning a playoff series is huge.

Ultimately, it's all talk. The playoffs resolve all of those questions.

[Peter]

There is one team that can beat the Spurs in a 7 game series. Will Nazr be able to make up the difference?

[George Gervin's Afro]

The psychological advantage is overrated for playoff experienced teams, and most especially overrated with respect to championship tested teams. A psychological advantage might work on a team that is young, inexperienced, and hasn't done anything in the playoffs. But, the teams that have won it all are for the most part too mentally tough to get psyched out.

That's why the Pistons have NO MENTAL ADVANTAGE over the Spurs. The Spurs know they can still win it all. Now will they? Maybe, maybe not. But, it won't because they will mentally fold. Same thing goes for the Pistons. If they lose, it's because they will be beat, not because they will lose it under the psychological pressure.

Now, a team like Dallas, who has never been able to beat the Spurs in the playoffs. They can probably fold under the pressure, especially Dirk since he's the one guy who has experienced losing to the Spurs. It's like what the Lakers had over the Blazers and Kings. It's like what Boston had over the Hawks and Pistons ... UNTIL the Pistons finally did beat the Celtics in 1988. Like the Bulls over the Cavs.

The psychological edge will always favor the team that has had the past success, UNTIL it is changed, and the other team wins.

Spurs are too good, too experienced to feel the pressures of a psychological disadvantage from any team, including the Pistons. If the Spurs lose, they will get beat, not psyched out.


I think the Pistons are stone cold when it comes to crunch time. No worries just making plays like they did last night against chicago. The Bulls had numerous opportunities to go ahead late in the game and the Pistons allowed them to beat themselves.. as far as who is mentally tougher between the spurs & pistons that's a toss up..

[BigVee]

JamStone and FromWayDowntown said it all. They are right on the money. If the Spurs or Pistons lose this year it will be because they get beat by a better team playing better at that time, not because of some psych issue, or regular season game. Not with these teams.

[FromWayDowntown]

If the Spurs or Pistons lose this year it will be because they get beat by a better team playing better at that time, not because of some psych issue, or regular season game. Not with these teams.

I think that's a fairly natural consequence for teams that play through to Game 7 of the Finals, too.

It's the sort of mental toughness that the Rockets had in 1995, coming off a season in which they had won Game 7 of the Finals. Once you've played that game, I can't imagine that there's much that fazes you mentally or any game or game situation that intimidates you.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Only chance of them beatin us is if sum extroadinary happens.;

[AZLouis]

What they REALLY mean is giving their team a future psychological advantage in feeling that they CAN beat the Spurs. It's not about putting doubt in the Spurs' heads, it's getting doubt out of theirs.

Last season when Pops sat Duncan/Ginobili for the Suns game for "health" reasons really affected the attitude of the fans. Many thought it was a dodging of sorts so the Suns wouldn't get a complete look at the Spurs. Myself included.

Suns won that game (thanks Chaz) butpeople were irate after that game. Especially posters on message boards.

With the amount of injuries the Suns have had to deal with this season and with Nash rolling his ankle during the last game, I'm of the idea that it would be wise to sit Nash.

Not only for the health purposes. But for logistical reasons as well. The series is tied 1-1 this season. This game really doesn't mean anything to the Suns as the 2nd seed is pretty much assured for them and it's the "easiest" road to the WCF to face the winner of the Spurs/Mavs 2nd round matchup. Assuming all goes to plan.

However this game means the world to the Spurs. Every game the Spurs play decides whether or not a 1 or a 4 seed is in order. And now they are competing for HCA over the Pistons if both teams get that far, which could surely result in the team with the HCA winning the whole deal.

[101A]

However this game means the world to the Spurs.

No, really, it doesn't. At all.

[Supergirl]

For teams to beat the Spurs, it can make a huge difference to their confidence (Pistons, Clippers, Hawks) and for teams to lose (Mavs) I think it will take a hit on their confidence. But I don't think either affects the Spurs much - except maybe the Pistons. Even the Spurs have to be a little shaky about their chances against a healthy, fired up Pistons with HCA in the Finals, should that come to pass. But healthy is a big ?, since they're already wearing down, and HCA is not a done deal yet.

Still, the Spurs have the poise and experience and talent to win against anyone in a 7 game series.

[SirChaz]

Last season when Pops sat Duncan/Ginobili for the Suns game for "health" reasons really affected the attitude of the fans. Many thought it was a dodging of sorts so the Suns wouldn't get a complete look at the Spurs. Myself included.

Then the Spurs beat'em without TD. Without Ginobili. LOL. People were irate after that game. Especially posters on message boards.


Huh?

The Suns won that game.



I agree with most of the posters on this thread. Beating the Spurs in March is not going to affect them in the playoffs. Advantages/disadvantages affect less experienced teams like the Clippers, not veteran teams like the Spurs and Pistons.

[AZLouis]

No, really, it doesn't. At all.

For positioning and HCA it does. Which could be the difference maker if they face the Pistons or the Mavs.

[ShoogarBear]

Huh?

The Suns won that game.
Yeah. :lol

But it was a pretty close game most of the way. When the Spurs were still in it in the fourth quarter, you could feel the Suns and their fans thinking "damn". So I can see why the lasting impression is that the Suns lost.

[big3bigD]

Speaking as a Mavs fan, I don't think that any team in the West, or even Detroit can really get into the Spurs heads. They have been through extened playoff runs for as long as anyone can remember, not to mention the three rings in seven years. They have also beaten each of these teams in the playoffs in recent years (although the Suns and Mavs are now completely different teams).

The Suns, Pistons and Mavs are all extremely confident teams that are capeable of beating anyone, but it's unreasonable to expect to be able to psych out the three time world champions with a regular season victory. If any of the above mentioned teams manage a late season victory against the Spurs, it might help some of their players energy and confidence going into the post season, but that's about it. Obviously, the Spurs are the favorites until they are beaten in the playoffs. They are a very well run squad with Pop and Duncan being solid anchors for the team.

Hell, we Mavs fans know better than anyone that regular season success is meaningless without a ring at the end of the postseason.

[SirChaz]

Yeah. :lol

But it was a pretty close game most of the way. When the Spurs were still in it in the fourth quarter, you could feel the Suns and their fans thinking "damn". So I can see why the lasting impression is that the Suns lost.


Yea, the Suns slept-walked through the first half and struggled to put the Spurs away. It wasn't my impression that the Suns lost. I remember very clearly that they won that game. I do remember Spurs fans thinking it was significant somehow that they were in the game.

IIRC Devin Brown had a big game along with Parker.

[WayDowntownBang]

Pistons are mentally tough but they are starting to slip a little from the fast start. I don't think any team other than Detroit has the capabilities to rattle the team.

How so? 11 losses as we're into March wouldn't really be considered a slip. We've lost 2 games in a row zero times this year, and we went 2-2 during a recent 'slide'. If you're considering a slide as in losing more than 3 games in a month, we're pretty much on target.

I do agree though, I don't see a team in the East other than Detroit able to disrupt San Antonio. The Mavs are putting up pretty numbers, but until they are able to prove themselves against the Spurs in the playoffs, I just can't visualize anyone BUT the Spurs coming out of the West.

[BigVee]

How so? 11 losses as we're into March wouldn't really be considered a slip. We've lost 2 games in a row zero times this year, and we went 2-2 during a recent 'slide'. If you're considering a slide as in losing more than 3 games in a month, we're pretty much on target.

I do agree though, I don't see a team in the East other than Detroit able to disrupt San Antonio. The Mavs are putting up pretty numbers, but until they are able to prove themselves against the Spurs in the playoffs, I just can't visualize anyone BUT the Spurs coming out of the West.

How so? Check your margin of victory differential from the beginning of the season until now. Spurs has climbed steadily....Pistons has gone the other way.

[Leetonidas]

http://www.azcentral.com/phorum/read.php?36,457681

:lol

[nkdlunch]

stopped reading at this game will set the tone for the whole playoffs...

kids :rolleyes

[MaNuMaNiAc]

fucking hilarious! what a bunch of morons!

[Josh810]

Last year after they beat us I could have careless if all the spurs died in a plane crash!!!

Take the NBA a little seriously, do we?

[midgetonadonkey]

They sounded like a bunch of 13 year olds. The Slurs. That's just fucking lame.

[Jimcs50]

I
am calling it now. Dallas will knock off the spurs in the second round due to duncan's waining health. but i think Dallas can only pull it off if they end up having home court advantage. they can be really tough to beat at home. 16 home wins in a row before we rolled into town. that's pretty impressive.

This is obviously a fan that does not want his Suns to play the Spurs.

:lol

[Leetonidas]

I predict we will beat the Spurs on our home court.
Posted by: Robert Wang (Robert2918) (IP Logged)
Date: March 6, 2006 06:27AM


We might have beaten the Spurs twice this season if Barbo ain't get harmed by Gino last time on their court.

Some of people are still thinking that the Suns are inferior to the Spurs as last season.
They are wrong.
As I have been watching most of the games including both of teams, then I'm sure that they ain't better than last season and we are a better team in depth than last season.

Duncan's condition is going down whether he probably got injured or not.

Parker is still sharp but his 3-point accuracy is going down fast, the same as Brent Barry.

Looking at us, we are the best team of 3-point shooting, FG shooting, FT shooting
, scoring and as5ists.

We averages hitting 9.7 3-point shots per game.

What are we afraid of? They should be afraid of us.

Now THAT is good reading.

[cheguevara]

lotta hate for the Spurs over there. Love it :D means there are already defeated mentally, at least the fans are

[boutons_]

The point about Tim's health aka PF is very valid. The rest is BS.

If Tim's PF limits him as much as we have seen this season, esp his paint defense/shot blocking/rotating, then repeating with Tim in that condition will be very difficult.

[JamStone]

How so? 11 losses as we're into March wouldn't really be considered a slip. We've lost 2 games in a row zero times this year, and we went 2-2 during a recent 'slide'. If you're considering a slide as in losing more than 3 games in a month, we're pretty much on target.


Actually, the Pistons lost at Indiana then at Atlanta the very next game. The Pistons lost 2 games in a row ONE TIME this season.

[cheguevara]

We can beat the Suns w/out Duncan. Amare won't be back till next season book it.

[Leetonidas]

The point about Tim's health aka PF is very valid. The rest is BS.

If Tim's PF limits him as much as we have seen this season, esp his paint defense/shot blocking/rotating, then repeating with Tim in that condition will be very difficult.

That guy I quoted doesn't seem to understand that the Spurs play good D. He thinks Phoenix is going to hit 10 threes or something.

I don't get the thing about Parker's 3PT shooting. He rarely takes any threes. And Barry...well, Barry has been better lately, and Fin is doing the three point shooting.

[ObiwanGinobili]

if i ever see MANU on the street im gonna b1tch slap like the B1tch he is

:lmao
now that is the biggest load of crap I've ever read.
I've got some mjor hate for Kobe.. but if I saw him on he street?? I'm still 50% likely to ask for his autograph.

[nkdlunch]

That guy I quoted doesn't seem to understand that the Spurs play good D. He thinks Phoenix is going to hit 10 threes or something.

I don't get the thing about Parker's 3PT shooting. He rarely takes any threes. And Barry...well, Barry has been better lately, and Fin is doing the three point shooting.


good luck trying to understand a 10 year old's bball logic

[SenorSpur]

They're a bunch of adsolecent blowhards.

They seem to forget that while they are a prolific scoring team, they can't stop anybody on defense and they struggle greatly in the half-court.

[Xylus]

Yeah...I don't think is a particularly accurate representation of the Suns' most intelligent fans. :rolleyes I'd sooner visit the ESPN boards for my basketball analysis, than azcentral.com.

[Solid D]

Beat the Sons. Spurs are their Daddy.

[pache100]

:lmao
now that is the biggest load of crap I've ever read.
I've got some mjor hate for Kobe.. but if I saw him on he street?? I'm still 50% likely to ask for his autograph.

Me, too! I wouldn't particularly want it in my house, but I'm sure I could sell it for big bucks on eBay!

[rayray2k8]

http://www.azcentral.com/phorum/read.php?36,457681

:lol
You just had to start a fire, didnt you? :rolleyes
If you're not gonna have that mentality, then why bother being a fan?
Dont you guys see it? THEY'RE in the postion WE were a few years back!
Remember?? Oh you dont huh?
It was just like the lakers and the spurs from back then.
How long did it take until we finally beat L.A? It took awhile!
For YEARS we were beat down by the lakers and the laker fans rubbed
it in our faces and looked down at us!! Then what happened? BAM! They were dethroned by our spurs. Dont you see it?
Now WE'RE the lakers and they are the spurs... IF not them, then someone else.. Dallas seems to be in the right postion as well...
You guys act like we're never gonna lose.. But it will happen.. someday.
So enjoy everything while it last, because it will be gone before you know it.
You can ask the laker fans if you want.




Oh and one last thing...

there aint no fucking chance in hell the suns are gonna beat us cuz they know they'll get stomped on if they face us in the playoffs. so they better pray dallas beats us :devil :lol

[Peter]

Hmmm....is sunsreport.com taken?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Suns are pretty good. I'm amazed they've managed to win as many as they have without Amare. They're only 5 games behind San Antonio.

[Jimcs50]

I agree.

No team is going to get into the Spur's heads. However, with a win tonite, the Spurs are all in the Sun's heads.



Not true.

In 02-03 season, Phoenix won 3 of 4 against SA in reg season(Spurs only win was in OT), then they won game 1, making it 4 of 5.
What happened? Spurs won 4 of next 5 to win the series.

The Reg season does not mean anything, other than procuring HCA.

[101A]

For positioning and HCA it does. Which could be the difference maker if they face the Pistons or the Mavs.

It is only 1 game. It doesn't matter. Spurs would still control their own destiny.

[WayDowntownBang]

How so? Check your margin of victory differential from the beginning of the season until now. Spurs has climbed steadily....Pistons has gone the other way.

I guess if we're going to dive that deep into stats that a 'slide' is now considered because of margin of victory, I can't argue that. I think that's a bit of stretching the numbers to really prove a point though.

And Jamstone, you're right. I've made a point of erasing my memory of any loss EVER, let alone this year, to Indiana. It's like trying to get rid of brain cancer.

[Solid D]

The Spurs record in Phoenix historically has been pretty awful. These are the top 2 teams (PHX 1 and SA 2) in the NBA.com Power Rankings as of 3/8/06. 11 game winning streak on the line. I hope the Spurs don't fall in love with the 3 tonight. Spurs need to augment their offense....not rely on the 3-point shot, please.

Will the Spurs go "small" throughout the game or just at the end?

[Obstructed_View]

I wish I could say "it looks like the Phoenix fans are even younger than the Mavs fans" except that given the way the fans behave there they are probably all adults.

[island_dude]

And you guys thought the Mavs fans were bad.

At least we have respect for the spurs, and don't say they suck.
Well, at least some of us. :lol

[N4th4n]

That is about the worst representation of suns fan you can get. There is much larger population of level headed and mature suns fans over at phxsuns , so please dont assume we are all like the AZ central kids. Personaly the Spurs are probably my third favorite team in the NBA I respect what they do and i love Duncan and TP. I hope for a good game tonight although without nash , amare , KT , james jones , grant , and a sick marion and TT it could get ugly!

Only thing i dont like about the spurs is Manu , that little flopping fucker hurt my boy Barbosa.

[boutons_]

"The Spurs record in Phoenix historically has been pretty awful."

I think the Manu 48-pt W last Jan @PHX, and the 3 WCF Ws @PHX have pretty much written new chapter in that history.

[Solid D]

True, but remember...it's a big book and there are more chapters.

[ShoogarBear]

That is about the worst representation of suns fan you can get. There is much larger population of level headed and mature suns fans over at phxsuns , so please dont assume we are all like the AZ central kids. Personaly the Spurs are probably my third favorite team in the NBA I respect what they do and i love Duncan and TP. I hope for a good game tonight although without nash , amare , KT , james jones , grant , and a sick marion and TT it could get ugly!So far so good.



Only thing i dont like about the spurs is Manu , that little flopping fucker hurt my boy Barbosa.Uh, oh, now you done it . . . :lol

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Only thing i dont like about the spurs is Manu , that little flopping fucker hurt my boy Barbosa.
That "little flopping fucker" owns your sorry ass http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif

[Vingianx]

Well...what can you expect from a team that barely started to learn how to win a year ago....of course the fans won't know how to act.....

[Suns Fan]

I am the Best Suns fan around and I only post at Spurstalk :smokin

[Vingianx]

I am the Best Suns fan around and I only post at Spurstalk :smokin
Good to know that for a Suns fan your only interest is the Spurs :D

[Suns Fan]

Good to know that for a Suns fan your only interest is the Spurs :D

I lived in San Antonio from 1979-1988 :drunk

[Hooters Girl]

I lived in San Antonio from 1979-1988 :drunk


Let me know when your back in town :princess

[SoCalSpursFan]

I went to ASU for 3 years and know a lot of Suns fans but none as moronic as these guys...are they serious?

"This game sets the tone for the playoffs".... :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes

[Vingianx]

I noticed something today on a suns board that I have seen other places throughout the season. This notion of gaining a phsycological advantage over ther Spurs with a win. I wish I could talk to these people and explain we have been through so many battles with the lakers and Pistons over the years we are awfully tough mentally. Does anyone buy this 'getting into their head' business? In my opinion we have 'phsycological advantage over the entire Western Conference.. any thoughts?




:fro
I don't think the Suns could handle anything like the spurs have...tell me, do you think they could handle derek fisher putting one in with .4 seconds left? the Mavs and the Suns will never be mentally tough to take in those kind of shots...

[boutons_]

"do you think they could handle derek fisher putting one in with .4 seconds left?"

WTF? The consensus is that that Spurs couldn't handle it, either, and blew the series.

[Vingianx]

that only made the spurs better, didn't they just recently win another championship the year after that fatal meltdown?

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

I saw the Lakers eliminate what I thought was a vastly superior Spurs team on two separate occasions. It's a proven formula. It's also the only chance anyone else has.

This is a definately a very different Spurs team than it was back then. Our loss in the .4 series was partly because of the Fisher shot, but more was on our shooters that year. None of our shots fell that series, but then again we did'nt have the perimeter shooting and proven playoff veterans we do now, not to mention Manu is a completely different player than he was in those series. This Spurs team is not going to be intimidated or mentally lose the championship this year, same thing as the Pistons fan said, if we lose this year it is because we were outplayed and nothing more.

[Obstructed_View]

This is a definately a very different Spurs team than it was back then. Our loss in the .4 series was partly because of the Fisher shot, but more was on our shooters that year. None of our shots fell that series, but then again we did'nt have the perimeter shooting and proven playoff veterans we do now, not to mention Manu is a completely different player than he was in those series. This Spurs team is not going to be intimidated or mentally lose the championship this year, same thing as the Pistons fan said, if we lose this year it is because we were outplayed and nothing more.
While I agree with you on many points, on the rest we will have to agree to disagree. While I thought the Spurs choked both times (wide open shots not falling is choking IMHO), I do agree that this is a different team with different personnel, and shouldn't do that. Hedo is long gone but I'm reluctant to lay the whole thing at his feet. The Spurs have still gone flat on occasion, which is worrisome. The '03 team was terrible about getting out to big leads and then losing interest. The '05 team, after plowing through Phoenix and then beating Detroit so easily, just took a few games off and really had to work to win the series because they couldn't regain their momentum. Great players and great teams win with dominance of will. Last year's Pistons team was very up and down. This year's team probably won't fail to take advantage of such a lapse.