Round 2, Game 1: Spurs vs Suns Official Game Blog Thread

[timvp]

This may be Game 1 but it's a key game in the series. If the Spurs can jump on the Suns early and take this game, they could get into their heads. If the Spurs lose, the Suns will get even more confident.

Get back the homecourt advantage with a win.

Believe.

[Kori Ellis]

By Kori Ellis
SpursZONE.com

http://www.woai.com/content/sports/spurs/story.aspx?content_id=3dca7b57-6de8-4713-9adb-c0d718adfa57

The San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns tip off a must see second round series Sunday in Phoenix. The Spurs and Suns, who most league observers believe are the two favorites to win the NBA championship, last played each other in the playoffs in 2005.

In that matchup in the 2005 Western Conference finals, the Suns also had the homecourt advantage, but the Spurs were able to prevail in five games. While this Phoenix team is improved from two years ago, the Spurs have the ingredients needed to potentially slow the Suns down.

The Matchups

Point Guard

Tony Parker
Parker had some trouble in the first round versus the Denver Nuggets’ shot blockers but should feel more at home against the Suns. With a history of playing well against Phoenix, Parker will be one of the Spurs biggest weapons in this series. During the regular season, Parker averaged 28 points per game against the Suns.

Steve Nash
Nash is the two-time reigning MVP and is again one of the top five players in the league again this year. His ability to create for himself and others was on full display versus the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. In one contest against the Lakers, Nash recorded 23 assists – one short of the NBA record in the playoffs. In this series, Nash’s MVP ability will be on full display. Look for him to have a huge statistical showing.

Shooting Guard

Michael Finley
Finley is coming off of one of his best ever playoff games. In Game 5 against the Nuggets, Finley hit 8-of-9 three-pointers – setting career and franchise records in the process. Against the Suns, Finley will continue to get some open shots. Whether he’s able to knock them down will be a big part of whether the Spurs will be able to advance.

Raja Bell
One of the best defenders in the league, Bell has added an offensive punch to his game in recent years. He has a deadly three-point shot and has hit numerous clutch shots in his time with the Suns. But defense is what he’s best known for. He’ll see plenty of time trying to slow down the Spurs super sub, Manu Ginobili.

Small Forward

Bruce Bowen
Against the Nuggets, Bowen spent time on both Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. In this series, Bowen will find himself matched up on any number of players. The Spurs had some success with placing Bowen on Nash, which will no doubt be seen again in this series. If Bowen is able to slow down Nash at all, that could be a huge advantage for the Spurs.

James Jones
Jones has started the last ten games for the Suns, but it’s also possible that Leandro Barbosa, Kurt Thomas or Boris Diaw could start in his place. Jones is a deadly three-point shooter who is on the court to spread the opposition’s defense. He’s also an underrated defender and doesn’t turn the ball over.

Power Forward

Tim Duncan
In 2005, Duncan played well against the Suns. The bad news for Phoenix is that Duncan was injured at the time. Now near 100% healthy, Duncan looks to have an even better series than two years ago. Against Denver, Duncan had a hard time dealing with the physical defenders and shot blockers the Nuggets could throw at him. In this series, Duncan will have more of an opportunity to score.

Shawn Marion
Marion is a player who can do it all. He starts at power forward, but can play anywhere from shooting guard to center. He can hit threes on one end, plus block shots and rebound like a seven-footer. In 2005, Marion struggled against the Spurs with Bowen dedicated to taking him out of his game. He’ll be looking for revenge in this series.

Center

Francisco Elson
Elson struggled mightily in the first three games of the first round. In Games 4 and 5, Elson finally started to figure things out. Against the Suns, Elson is a good piece to have in this potentially run-and-gun series. Elson is extremely mobile and can guard multiple positions.

Amare Stoudemire
After missing virtually all of last season, Stoudemire is back and is dominating once again. The last time he played the Spurs, he averaged nearly 40 points per game in the five game series. This time Stoudemire will be looking to do more of the same. If he can score down low while being a monster on the glass, he could be the difference for the Suns.

Bench

San Antonio
Ginobili and the rest of the Spurs bench will be vital for San Antonio against the Suns. Ginobili had a great series in 2005 versus Phoenix and will try to duplicate that this year. Robert Horry and Brent Barry are two other players that the Suns will have to keep tabs on throughout the series.

Phoenix
Barbosa won the Sixth Man of the Year award this season and deservedly so. He’s a game changer who can win games while coming off the bench. He’s as explosive as any player in the league, so the Spurs will key in on him whenever he enters the game. Kurt Thomas brings physical defense to the table, while Boris Diaw can do a little bit of everything.

The Keys

For The Spurs
The Spurs main focus will be their defense. The Suns like to get out and run, shoot three-pointers and let Nash control the tempo of the game. The Spurs will attempt to slow the pace of the game as much as possible.

Phoenix is a team that can beat you from beyond the arc, so the Spurs have to be cognizant of shooters at all times. With four three-point threats on the court nearly all the time, double teaming may do more harm than good for the Spurs in this series.

Rebounding is one of the Suns’ few weaknesses. If the Spurs can control the rebounding advantage, that will slow the tempo and keep it at a more Spur-like pace.

Offensively, the Spurs need big series out of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. Duncan should have a decided advantage in the post, while Parker and Ginobili have to attack the basket. If those three are playing well, the Suns will be forced to leave three-point shooters open such as Finley, Horry and Barry.

For The Suns
Phoenix has to turn these games into high scoring affairs. If the contests are played at a slow pace, the Spurs will have the advantage. If the pace is frenzied and hurried, the Suns will have an unquestionable advantage.

Marion had a poor series last time these two teams squared off in the playoffs and the Suns can’t afford that this time. Getting Marion going has to be a priority for the Suns. When he’s hitting shots, he’s an even better defender and rebounder on the other end.

Nash and Stoudemire have to dominate. Both have to play at an MVP level to combat the Spurs’ sturdy defense. The Spurs have never been able to fully corral Nash or Stoudemire and that has to continue being the case for the Suns to succeed.

To tell whether the Suns are able to impose their will on the Spurs, just look at how well their role players are performing. If Barbosa, Bell, Jones and Diaw are scoring well, that means that Nash and the Suns have successfully forced the Spurs to send more defensive help than they want to.

The Prediction

This series could very well end up deciding the NBA championship when all is said and done. Although this promises to be a close matchup, a healthy Tim Duncan could be the difference. As long as he’s playing well, the Spurs should be able to take this series in six hard-fought games.

[velik_m]

Spurs will win this game.

[The_Game]

Suns will take game 1 by 9

[silk]

While theses two teams are really good , i dont really see it going in 7 , in fact it's one system against another and if system is better we could see a quick job maybe 4 or 5 games.

Nash is a really special player , especially this year , i understand why steve kerr picks the susns because of him , but i believe in spurs system and they will prevail , and prevail much quicker and easily as most thinks , not to say that suns are not good.

[Next Superstar]

I'm impressed by your knowledge Kori, that was a pretty good matchup breakdown. I believe kurt thomas will be a big factor in this series. I think he has the ability to guard duncan 1 on 1 and if he is succesful that means a lot less open 3's for finley, bowen and barry.

[NASHville]

I feel this will go seven and be one of the best series in recent memory.

[TheTruth]

If we get vintage Playoff Timmy this series goes 5 or 6.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

If we get vintage Playoff Timmy this series goes 5 or 6.
..and if we get BOTH vintage Playoff Timmy and vintage Playoff Manu at the same time? :wow

[td4mvp21]

If we get vintage Playoff Timmy this series goes 5 or 6.

Yeah, IF. That's the only thing that bothers me :lol.

[xamila rey]

everyone is saying that Elson should play well against Phoenix,
and i agree and i hope so,
but i think Oberto had a good game against them too,
can someone let me know about that?
i dont know where to check the stats...

[td4mvp21]

everyone is saying that Elson should play well against Phoenix,
and i agree and i hope so,
but i think Oberto had a good game against them too,
can someone let me know about that?
i dont know where to check the stats...

He had 22 and 10 against them on the Nov. 8th meeting.

[1Parker1]

Oberto can't guard Amare though, that's the main problem. I think Elson could do better on that end due to his length and ability to run.

[td4mvp3]

it seems like these playoffs are favoring the run-and-run teams, or at the least, the teams with least-traditional setups relying on big men (shaq and miami, yao and the rockets, dirk -- sorta -- and the mavs, howard and the magic, bosh and raptors). it just seems like maybe this really is the year that small-ball wins out.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Good luck today guys!! Hopefully you can steal home court from them.

[TheTruth]

Oberto can't guard Amare though, that's the main problem. I think Elson could do better on that end due to his length and ability to run.
I'm more comfortable with Oberto and Elson going against Amare than I was with Rasho and Nazr.

[The_Game]

Nazr did something i doubt wether Elson or Oberto will do. CRASH THE GLASS. Naxr averaged over 3 offensive rebounds a game in 05. one of the spurs big man other than duncan will need to get offensive boards for spurs to have a better chance.

[sa_butta]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0504/nba_g_duncan_nash_412.jpg (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=weltman_jeff&page=Scouting-SunsSpurs)


Tortoise vs Hare according to ESPN.com

We all know what happened in that story.:clap

[GrandeDavid]

Win. Go Spurs.

[Catharsis]

Diaw could be the difference maker. Don't be surprised if he has a big game today.

[TDMVPDPOY]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0504/nba_g_duncan_nash_412.jpg (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=weltman_jeff&page=Scouting-SunsSpurs)


Tortoise vs Hare according to ESPN.com

We all know what happened in that story.:clap

energizer battery vs duracell

[Obstructed_View]

Diaw could be the difference maker. Don't be surprised if he has a big game today.
What are you talking about? Suns fans will be surprised if he has a big game!

[angel_luv]

Let's go boys! Let's go boys! Whoosh! :cheer :)

[GrandeDavid]

If Sarkozy wins the runoff for the French presidential election, then Diaw will cower and have a terrible series. Okay, that was meaningless to say.

I just want to see an overall team effort, lots of ball movement, and stay the hell outta foul trouble then set the dogs loose in the 4th.

[word]

He won with 53% of the vote.

[foodie2]

Damn, this waiting is getting to me.

[angel_luv]

Waiting is great for me... gives me time to finish up at work and go to the GTG.

[timvp]

Get this one.

Believe.

[duncanchick21]

Let's Go Guys! I know you can do it! I believe baby!!! GO SPURS GO!!! :clap :flag: :cheer

[TheTruth]

Time to man up.

GO SPURS GO!!!

[Typical London Boy]

This game is actually on Sky Sports here in the UK, so i'm pleased i'll be able to watch it live with a few beers. Tempted to come back out to SA if they reach the finals to soak up the atmosphere!

But like you say, one step at a time...

[Streakyshooter08]

:flag: :flag: :flag:

[Cherry]

:hungry: 20:ace :flag:

[J.T.]

Good defense beats good offense. Spurs win.

[td4mvp21]

:flag:

[Deb]

:ihit Almost time to kick some Sun's butt :ihit

[lefty]

Duncan is reported to have an ankle problem :bang :bang :bang :bang

[SpursFanFirst]

:cheer It's almost time!!! Wooo...GO SPURS! :cheer

[SpursFanFirst]

Duncan is reported to have an ankle problem :bang :bang :bang :bang

I sure hope you're messing with us

[lefty]

I sure hope you're messing with us
No :depressed

[SpursFanFirst]

No :depressed

Where's that link? I've been on sports sites all day today, and I haven't seen anything mentioned.

[angel_luv]

What are they saying about Timmy? When did he hurt himself?

[td4mvp21]

What are they saying about Timmy? When did he hurt himself?

He's lying I think, it would be all over nba.com and spurs.com if it were true and it's not on either...

[lefty]

He's lying I think, it would be all over nba.com and spurs.com if it were true and it's not on either...
:clap :clap

[SpursFanFirst]

He's lying I think, it would be all over nba.com and spurs.com if it were true and it's not on either...

I think he's messing with us too...trying to make the Suns fans feel better :lol
Seriously though, I'm currently on the Spurs site, ESPN, etc., and there's nothing.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Good luck today Spurs. I have the Spurs wining by 8 today.

[angel_luv]

Why would you do that, lefty? Wicked! :pctoss

Although, it is so hard to get mad at you when you're sporting the Sho avatar.

[SpursFanFirst]

:clap :clap

:rolleyes

[boutons_]

Jon Barry does a good job, he's speaks well, much better than Brent or Rick.

[easjer]

WooooO! Go Spurs Go!


Stay calm, stay cool, play well.

[lefty]

Although, it is so hard to get mad at you when you're sporting the Sho avatar.
:toast

[themvp]

Go Spurs Go

[SpursFanFirst]

nice audio trouble, ABC...

[angel_luv]

30 minutes until I get off work. :elephant

[lefty]

WOW we can't hear Breen - Jackson

COOL !!! :clap

[easjer]

Awesome start to the Game, ABC's sound is fucked up.

Heh.

[Phil Hellmuth]

LOL this seems like a scratched 2k7 game.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

boutons - u there?

[boutons_]

Michele BoyToya has lost weight :lol

[easjer]

I love that we can clearly hear the music and the crowd but not the announcers.

They seem awfully energetic, though, don't they?

Go Spurs Go!

[lefty]

LOL this seems like a scratched 2k7 game.
:lol

[slayermin]

Let's do this.

[easjer]

Oh, here they are.

Too bad, I was enjoying the real game experience.

[NASHville]

Let's rock.

[lefty]

Awesome start to the Game, ABC's sound is fucked up.

Heh.

Hope it will make the NBA think twice before giving another contract to ABC

[Spurs Brazil]

Bruce on Nash

[Spurs Brazil]

Marion on TP

[nkdlunch]

Amare talking shit to the whole spurs bench? fucking dumb retard

[TampaDude]

Here we go...

[SpursFanFirst]

Amare talking shit to the whole spurs bench? fucking dumb retard

What? I missed that

[easjer]

I like that they are driving. Finishing, however, would also be nice.

[conversekid]

horrible camera angle to start the game.

[GrandeDavid]

Go Spurs! I'm in!

[easjer]

That's just ABC. They have a shitty production.

[Spurs Brazil]

PF on Amare

[conversekid]

duncan... please stop putting the ball on your hip..

[easjer]

Let's get these free throws going Timmy! I expect you'll be taking lots of them.

[GrandeDavid]

I feel that we'll win today.

[conversekid]

duncan missing his first FT

[Amuseddaysleeper]

horrible camera angle to start the game.


i know ugh

thankfully they changed it


what's a good Suns board?

I'm just curious to see their thoughts on the game

[GrandeDavid]

Tim missing f-ing free throws. Great. Concentrate you fools.

[easjer]

I'm liking Bowen on Nash.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

There's a tornado warning in Texas?

[SpursFanFirst]

Timmy making friends with the refs

[conversekid]

and the ticky tacky perimeter touch fouls begin

[GrandeDavid]

We go into the 4th with max. 3 fouls on Duncan we win. He has 2 more fouls to give. Better save them for the 2nd.

[GrandeDavid]

Foul prone Francisco. :rolleyes

[easjer]

i know ugh

thankfully they changed it


what's a good Suns board?

I'm just curious to see their thoughts on the game
A couple of threads down sunsbum linked to a live chat through a suns site, invited us to come over.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Good - force Amare to shoot fadeaways!

[Spurs Brazil]

TP scores

[angel_luv]

Score check por favor/ prosim.

[conversekid]

parker establishing himself early.... gonna make the d work... phoenix goinog with nash on bowen... smart

[SpursFanFirst]

i know ugh

thankfully they changed it


what's a good Suns board?

I'm just curious to see their thoughts on the game

I think the link from the other day was www.phxsuns.net

[TampaDude]

Looks like the ABC scorer is having issues...lol...

[Spurs Brazil]

Finley 3333333333333333

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Score check por favor/ prosim.


10-6 to SA

7:58 left in 1st

[easjer]

Is the guy running the scoreboard drunk or just a really big Suns fan? :lol

He keeps giving them double points and slow on Spurs points.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Excellent help D on Amare, and now Fin's found the range.

Nash looks dangerous though...

[SpursFanFirst]

12-6, Spurs

[conversekid]

this tempo completely favors the spurs

[conversekid]

good hustle by duncan to get the board and the foul

[dougp]

Duncan fouled - Manu is coming in.

[Spurs Brazil]

2PF on J.Jones


Manuuuuuuuuuuuu in

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

C'mon Timmy, hit your gimmes...

[easjer]

Diaw in, Ginobili in. (2 fouls on Jones). Bowen out.

Defense looking good so far.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

BTW, it's 5:30am here... :( :lol

Manu time. Hope he has a good series, we need him.

[TampaDude]

this tempo completely favors the spurs

That's the idea... :tu

[easjer]

Scuse me, Finley out for Manu.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Bruce! :wtf

[easjer]

Ugh, hit a mini slump and allowed them within 1.

I've got to remember it's going to happen a lot this series. No lead is ever insurmountable or safe when playing the Suns.

Ok, 20+ is probably ok.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Bruce! :wtf

yeah wtf was that


we really need to hit our free throws big time


nice to see tp's outside jumper is comin through early

[Amarelooms]

AMARE LOOMS? Hmmmm

[Admidave50]

wtf, bowen shooting while the big 3 is on the floor..

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Can't let Amare get to his spots like that.

Nash looks dangerous, but so does Parker.

Tim has to hit more than 50% of his FTs. He's going to be fouled A LOT in this series.

[Kobulingam]

Amare hitting TOUGH shots. Nothing we can do about it. Just make sure he doesn't get easy dunks.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Comon suns you are weathering the storm now! :clap :clap

[NASHville]

Steve is on.

[Admidave50]

BTW, it's 5:30am here... :( :lol

Manu time. Hope he has a good series, we need him.

3:47 am here

[Tek_XX]

Both teams feeling each other out.

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Just out of curiosity, is this game being shown on any local channels w/ Sean or any of the local guys calling the game, I really can't stand Mark Jackson.

[easjer]

Well, they are doing pretty well with offensive rebounding, but that can always be improved (either by offensive efficiency or more rebounds). Defense is ok, but I'm a little unsure about how long Elson stays out there. He looks a little confused. I do like that they are forcing Amare to take jumpshots and getting in Nash's way a lot.

So far so good on Marion, it seems.

[Tek_XX]

This game will be decided in the 4th. Just sit back and relax.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

What's it like in SA today? How hot?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i'm digging this tempo

[dknights411]

Just out of curiosity, is this game being shown on any local channels w/ Sean or any of the local guys calling the game, I really can't stand Mark Jackson.

Turn on WOAI then.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

bwahahaha tony

"they always leave me open and i asked boris "why do you always leave me open?"

wtf

[easjer]

Nice shot Manu!

Hopefully that will help him get in rhythm.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

so is ginobili the most hated player in the NBA?

[davi78239]

What's it like in SA today? How hot?


Miserable, cloudy hot and humid and the sun ain't even out!

[dknights411]

It's way too early to expect a dominating stretch from either team.

[Spurs Brazil]

Barbosa in

PF on Manu

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Turn on WOAI then.

Yeah, I do that from time to time.

[hitmanyr2k]

Is Mark Jackson stupid? Ginobili was pushed. Any dumbass can see that.

[easjer]

Bah, lazy pass leads to steal/turnover.

[easjer]

Um, need to finish at the basket, getting ther eis only half of it.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

please take bowen off the floor!!!

[TampaDude]

Stoudemire has shut down Duncan so far.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Terrible entry to Tom, then, Tim had him but missed the layup.

C'mon Spurs, efficiency wins us this series.

[NASHville]

Keep shootin' it.

[ATXSPUR]

Three!!!!

[SpursFanFirst]

Gino with the 3!

[easjer]

These announcers are heavy-handed and not very good. And I can't get WOAI here.

Manu made it, but ugh. I think I'd rather he didn't take those.

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu 33333333333333333

[NASHville]

Amare is on.

[Xylus]

Stoudemire playing very well, I'm loving it. Keep it up, STAT!

[Admidave50]

Please, Amare is not playing defense! TD just missing easy layups

[DudleyDawson]

Where has Duncan's touch gone? It gets worse with each passing year.

[NASHville]

Taking Bowen off the floor would be a big mistake.

[easjer]

Sigh. He's got to start making those FTs. I like the rebounding effort.

[TampaDude]

Duncan better make his FTs, cuz that's all he's getting so far...

[NASHville]

He'll get his three's.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Tim's gotts mske the goddamn FTs!!! Bend your freaking knees, Tim!

[easjer]

So we've got Vaughn and Horry out there right now?

Gulp.

[Kobulingam]

i'm digging this tempo

Why? On pace for around 100.

[Admidave50]

Fuck it, TD will have to hit 2 straight FTs at one point!

[davi78239]

What's the score anyway right now? Don't have access to a tv

[Xylus]

Nash needs to go to the bench so Barbosa can do his thing.

[Amarelooms]

Is Amare LOOMING yet?

[TampaDude]

This game will be decided in the 4th. Just sit back and relax.

Spurs games generally are...GO SPURS!!!

[Tek_XX]

I would hate for Tim to get a "pussy" label.

[easjer]

Bowen is out. He hasn't helped much on offense and hasn't been set up yet for a three. Like his efforts on Nash so far, but dude does have to rest. Now is good, because he's had 2 timeouts to sit and if Finley/Vaughn let things get too out of hand, he'll be back pretty quickly.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It'll be interesting to see which of our second teams works best against the Suns.

[SpursFanFirst]

19-18, Spurs

[TampaDude]

What's the score anyway right now? Don't have access to a tv

19-18 Spurs

[davi78239]

Thanks

[Kobulingam]

Fuck FTs. TD has to make point blank layups.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Duncan 0-4. Hit ur layups, dude!

[Admidave50]

0/4 FGs and 3/6 FTs for Timmy, that hurts..

[angel_luv]

So far- per your posts, I am not terribly upset about missing this quarter.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

vaughn you moron pass that shit to manu

god damn

[easjer]

Vaughn. Dude. Nice steal. Pass it out.

That was telegraphed a mile away.

[Kobulingam]

So far- per your posts, I am not terribly upset about missing this quarter.

TD stinking up the joint.

[Tippecanoe]

bad pass

[easjer]

God damn it Vaughn.

NO LAZY ASS PASSES.

Groan. 2 on Gino.

[ATXSPUR]

pop....talk to the boys

[SpursFanFirst]

Gino with 2 fouls...Hmmm

[NASHville]

Thats two on Manu

[resistanze]

Pace still favours the Spurs

[Tippecanoe]

manu 2 fouls

[TampaDude]

Stoudy is OWNING Duncan right now...they gotta fix that!

[Admidave50]

Fucking Jacques Vaughn!!!!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So many ticky-tacks on manu these playoffs...

Man, why can't we make an entry pass???? Fark.

[ATXSPUR]

and take fucking vaughn out of the game....his second screw up in like 20 seconds

[Spurs Brazil]

2PF on Manu

[resistanze]

Finley!

[NASHville]

I remember many calling for Finley's head earlier in the year.

[easjer]

Timmy's stats are deceptive I think. 2 of those were tosses up to get the foul call. The other two weren't terrific.

He needs to make more FTs, though.

[NASpurs]

Parker, Manu and Tim on the bench... can't be good.

[conversekid]

horrible play by vaughn

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF with this lineup

Big 3 on the bench

[hitmanyr2k]

Smart offense by the Suns going to the mismatch with Ginobili and Diaw. At least they know how to punish a smaller player on the box.

[Admidave50]

This current line up is scaary

[conversekid]

nice shot by horry

[Tippecanoe]

robert horry
nice shot

unfortunately, even better shot for bell

[NASHville]

Damn that Horry.

[easjer]

Finley sucked earlier this season.

[conversekid]

finishing the quarter with our bench... dumb.... last 2 minutes of each quarter are crucial.

[hitmanyr2k]

Finley sucked earlier this season.

Good thing the regular season doesn't mean shit.

[easjer]

:rolleyes at that foul.

[conversekid]

that's one thing the lakers used to do so well... turn it up for the last 2 minutes... man, the refs are blowing whistles every 2 seconds.

[Tippecanoe]

watch your temper jacques

[Spurs Brazil]

3PF on Vaughn

[resistanze]

Damn, what a crappy call

[SpursFanFirst]

Vaughn with 3 fouls...ugh

[conversekid]

vaughn is playing crappy

[easjer]

Good thing the regular season doesn't mean shit.

Indeed.

Otherwise we'd have traded all our players at some point.

[TampaDude]

Dammit, Vaughn!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Man, lotsa poor calls out there. Suns getting them all.

Good closeout D on the 3 shooters.

[ATXSPUR]

vaughn sucks

[Admidave50]

Vaughn played a really bad 1st qtr!!

[Amuseddaysleeper]

vsughn sucks, i actually wouldnt mind seeing udrih come in next time

horrible horrible way to end the quarter

what kidn of lineup for SA was that anyway? wow

[conversekid]

nice start.. minus the bonehead fouls and turn overs...

[Kobulingam]

Pace still favours the Spurs

Neutral.

[resistanze]

Positive start IMO, for game 1 on the road.

[TampaDude]

Spurs held them to less thatn 30...not too bad so far...but we gave them 4 points on cheap-ass, totally unnecessary fouls.

[SpursFanFirst]

End of first, 27-26, Spurs

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Vaughn pissed me off when he decided to get all fancy with a stupid fake out pass to Manu :pctoss

The dude doesn't know???

Manu is like Money on fastbreaks, he would have dunked that shit. IDIOT Thinks he can finish at the rim, by himself!

[Admidave50]

Manu and Vaughn just fucked up the rotation with their fouls..

[Kobulingam]

Man, lotsa poor calls out there. Suns getting them all.

Good closeout D on the 3 shooters.

Raja manhandling Finley and refs not calling anything.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Give Vaughn a break. He's not that bad. He made two errors out there, but I bet he won't do so for the rest of the game. He was pretty consistent against the Nugs

[easjer]

Vaughn wasn't completely awful, but he does need to do better in future. Brent's defense isn't terrific.

But hey, not a bad quarter. They don't appear to be sleepwalking through it and are being aggressive. Definitely some stuff that needs work, but not a massacre for all the Suns were supposed to be really ready and full of energy.

[TampaDude]

nice start.. minus the bonehead fouls and turn overs...

WERD...

[Tek_XX]

Doesn't really matter who's the backup if this is how Vaughn is going to play.

[Quiet Strength]

Wow vaughn played awful.. beno should get some minutes just to see how he plays out there.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Manu and Vaughn just fucked up the rotation with their fouls..
Manu's second foul was a bullshit call

his first foul stoudamire and nash sandwiched him and Nash fell down.

They were ticky-tack fouls if I ever saw them.

Vaughn's fouls were just stupid!

[Tippecanoe]

we should try playing barry at the point. he used to be a PG in seattle

[Amarelooms]

Hope you guys are not expecting Vaughn to play well.....

[Tek_XX]

Where's Barry?

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Suns playing the Spurs game and they are right there. Keep it up boys keep it up!! :elephant

[velik_m]

Go Spurs!

[baseline bum]

This is a Phoenix tempo game. The Spurs gotta slow this game down.

[PB&J]

Raja manhandling Finley and refs not calling anything.

I thought i was the only one that saw that.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Hope you guys are not expecting Vaughn to play well.....


go back to fishing please

[Deb]

Refs giving the Suns a lot of help - just have to play through it

Anyone notice that the scorer gave Nash 4 points for a shot a couple of times?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

V shuda passed to Manu on the break though... :lol

Ah well, we had a pretty poor first Q on O but we're up by one. I'll take it.

[Kobulingam]

This is a Phoenix tempo game. The Spurs gotta slow this game down.

Neutral.

[Xylus]

The pace of the game is starting to get faster.

[easjer]

I like whatever is happening to keep Marion quiet. That's a really good idea.

[Admidave50]

They'll need to put Barry in with Manu's foul troubles.

Hope that Tony can keep being aggressive and that Tim can finally scores his layups!

[baseline bum]

Once again, the shitty look at the crowd camera.

[easjer]

I agree the pace could be slowed down.

[TampaDude]

C'mon, Spurs...DEEEEEFENSE!!!

[ATXSPUR]

we are getting destroyed!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xylus]

Nice Bell.

[easjer]

I'm pleased some of the jumpshots are falling.

Can we defend a little better?

[Tippecanoe]

what a block!

that might have saved 2 points

[easjer]

Nice block!

[Spurs Brazil]

TP keeping us in the game

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Tony's been absolutely CLUTCH!

Get to the rim, Manu!

[TampaDude]

Jeebus...