flipcritic
05-04-2007, 08:40 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/specials/playoffs/2007/suns.spurs/index.html
The Skinny
The Suns believe their small-ball style of play can win an NBA title. What better way to prove it than by beating the Spurs, a team built around a traditional model of a dominant big man (Tim Duncan) and a stifling defense? It figures to be quite a challenge for Steve Nash (right) & Co. The Spurs entered the postseason as the NBA's hottest team since the All-Star break, having won 23 of 26 before dropping their final three games when they rested their starters. They then dispatched the Nuggets in five games in the first round. San Antonio once again is led by Duncan, the two-time MVP and a force at both ends. He is surrounded by speedy point guard Tony Parker and two-way standout Manu Ginobili to give San Antonio one of the league's most balanced attacks. But while the Spurs can score with any team, they still hang their Stetsons on defense. San Antonio ranked first in the league in points allowed (90.1) and fourth in field goal defense (44.3).
The Suns, meanwhile, counter with an offensive attack among the best in NBA history. Led by Nash, the reigning two-time MVP, Phoenix led the league in scoring (110.2), field goal percentage (49.4), free throw percentage (80.8) and three-point shooting (39.9). With Amaré Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell and Boris Diaw, the Suns have way more firepower than the Spurs. The real issue will be whether they can defend and rebound enough to prevent San Antonio from controlling the tempo. Phoenix has been better in those areas this season, thanks in large part to the healthy return of Stoudemire, but it remains to be seen if it is enough to get past an elite club such as the Spurs.
The Suns, who are coming off a five-game series win over the Lakers in the first round, certainly know San Antonio well. They met two years ago in Western finals, with the Spurs winning in five games. San Antonio also eliminated Phoenix in the first round in '04. The Spurs have just always been able to defend and control the tempo against Phoenix, and they probably will do so again.
Key Matchup
Amaré Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan
Though they won't defend each other often, these two heavyweights figure to see a lot of each other. Stoudemire is an absolute beast for the Suns, a 6-10 live wire who can run the floor, score in the low post and drift outside and hit the jumper. His successful return from the knee surgery that kept him out almost all of last season has been one of the NBA's biggest stories this season. With him, the Suns just might have enough of a defensive presence inside to go all the way. Stoudemire also has had success against the Spurs, averaging 30 points and 20 rebounds against them two years ago in the playoffs. But Stoudemire will need to be at his best against Duncan, who remains the gold standard among NBA big men. Duncan bounced back from a subpar campaign of a year ago to post his usual stellar numbers (20 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) while anchoring San Antonio's defense. Against Phoenix this year, he averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds. Duncan's ability to use his length and size to keep Stoudemire in check on defense, while taking advantage of Phoenix's small frontcourt at the other end, looms as a major problem for the Suns.
X-Factor
Suns: Leandro Barbosa
The 6-3 guard won the NBA's Sixth Man Award after a regular season in which he averaged 18.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting (43.4 from downtown). He then went out and torched the Lakers with his penetration and deadeye shooting. The Suns will need another big series from the Brazilian Blur (right) to provide a counterpoint to Parker, whose quickness is a key component of the Spurs' attack.
Spurs: Robert Horry
The 6-10 forward, now in his 15th season, averaged career lows in scoring (3.9 points), rebounding (3.4) and shooting percentage (.359), but he is a savvy veteran who can still make an impact. Big Shot Rob was up to his old tricks against the Nuggets, hitting a huge three-pointer at the end of Game 4 to help the Spurs seize command of the series. Against the Suns' small lineup, he could play a key role off the bench.
The Pick
Spurs in six
The Skinny
The Suns believe their small-ball style of play can win an NBA title. What better way to prove it than by beating the Spurs, a team built around a traditional model of a dominant big man (Tim Duncan) and a stifling defense? It figures to be quite a challenge for Steve Nash (right) & Co. The Spurs entered the postseason as the NBA's hottest team since the All-Star break, having won 23 of 26 before dropping their final three games when they rested their starters. They then dispatched the Nuggets in five games in the first round. San Antonio once again is led by Duncan, the two-time MVP and a force at both ends. He is surrounded by speedy point guard Tony Parker and two-way standout Manu Ginobili to give San Antonio one of the league's most balanced attacks. But while the Spurs can score with any team, they still hang their Stetsons on defense. San Antonio ranked first in the league in points allowed (90.1) and fourth in field goal defense (44.3).
The Suns, meanwhile, counter with an offensive attack among the best in NBA history. Led by Nash, the reigning two-time MVP, Phoenix led the league in scoring (110.2), field goal percentage (49.4), free throw percentage (80.8) and three-point shooting (39.9). With Amaré Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell and Boris Diaw, the Suns have way more firepower than the Spurs. The real issue will be whether they can defend and rebound enough to prevent San Antonio from controlling the tempo. Phoenix has been better in those areas this season, thanks in large part to the healthy return of Stoudemire, but it remains to be seen if it is enough to get past an elite club such as the Spurs.
The Suns, who are coming off a five-game series win over the Lakers in the first round, certainly know San Antonio well. They met two years ago in Western finals, with the Spurs winning in five games. San Antonio also eliminated Phoenix in the first round in '04. The Spurs have just always been able to defend and control the tempo against Phoenix, and they probably will do so again.
Key Matchup
Amaré Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan
Though they won't defend each other often, these two heavyweights figure to see a lot of each other. Stoudemire is an absolute beast for the Suns, a 6-10 live wire who can run the floor, score in the low post and drift outside and hit the jumper. His successful return from the knee surgery that kept him out almost all of last season has been one of the NBA's biggest stories this season. With him, the Suns just might have enough of a defensive presence inside to go all the way. Stoudemire also has had success against the Spurs, averaging 30 points and 20 rebounds against them two years ago in the playoffs. But Stoudemire will need to be at his best against Duncan, who remains the gold standard among NBA big men. Duncan bounced back from a subpar campaign of a year ago to post his usual stellar numbers (20 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) while anchoring San Antonio's defense. Against Phoenix this year, he averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds. Duncan's ability to use his length and size to keep Stoudemire in check on defense, while taking advantage of Phoenix's small frontcourt at the other end, looms as a major problem for the Suns.
X-Factor
Suns: Leandro Barbosa
The 6-3 guard won the NBA's Sixth Man Award after a regular season in which he averaged 18.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting (43.4 from downtown). He then went out and torched the Lakers with his penetration and deadeye shooting. The Suns will need another big series from the Brazilian Blur (right) to provide a counterpoint to Parker, whose quickness is a key component of the Spurs' attack.
Spurs: Robert Horry
The 6-10 forward, now in his 15th season, averaged career lows in scoring (3.9 points), rebounding (3.4) and shooting percentage (.359), but he is a savvy veteran who can still make an impact. Big Shot Rob was up to his old tricks against the Nuggets, hitting a huge three-pointer at the end of Game 4 to help the Spurs seize command of the series. Against the Suns' small lineup, he could play a key role off the bench.
The Pick
Spurs in six