The NBA Life with Matt Bonner

[Sam]

http://www.wkxl1450.com/dynamickxl/

On now

[Kori Ellis]

Thanks Sam.

[Sam]

Matt talked about the sense of urgency they had about not going back to the hostile environment of Phoenix. He said they felt like it was a "must win for us." Matt talked about how they guarded Steve Nash. They wanted to wear him down and let Amare go do whatever. He talked about Nash making plays whether he was scoring or setting things up. Matt talked to Nash after the game and said "Steve, you're still one of my favorite players."

[Sam]

Reporter stated that the Spurs can still win without Tim Duncan but Suns can't win without Nash. Matt said that Nash is their guy and they have a lot of great finishers but no one to get the ball in their hands. He said that Spurs have two great players in Gino and Tony to take care of things. Matt said that he and Barry went out of a beer but no celebrating. They have practice later today.

[Sam]

They have less than 36 hours to get ready for a team that has a different style of play. Matt mentioned that Michael Finley and Bruce Bowen can't be counted out in this series and how much they helped.

The reporters asked about suspensions. Bonner agreed with them and the rules because of the Artest situation. You have to put in guys' minds that you cannot leave the bench area even if you are going out there for peacekeeping mission. Hard fouls are part of the game. You learn to deal with it. He suspects that Stern and rules commitee will re-evaluate it.

[Kori Ellis]

I am glad that Matt is talking about this part - saying that the Spurs assistants created a human barrier and didn't let any Spurs go on the court during the altercation and that some of the blame needs to be on the Suns coaches for not doing the same.

[Sam]

Matt said it's hard to stay on the bench when you see your teammates in trouble or wanting to help them. He said the Spurs came up and stood up but the coaches were immediately telling them no stay on the bench. Matt said that he feels that it happened near the middle of the court and the Suns lost their minds and left the bench. He said the Spurs wanted to do the same thing because it's a natural reaction but the coaching staff formed a "human barricade" to keep them in their area.

[Sam]

Matt believes the rule is concrete and you know it. You know if you leave the bench area then you get suspended.

He talked about how great the Spurs are and how he has seen how it's a 48 minute game with this veteran team. You keep grinding and don't give up. You go on a run and then keep working hard to keep even and you win. He talked about staying physical and making sure you know it's not over until the buzzer sounds.

[Sam]

Matt said that when they watch on film about little things like Amare going back door from the corner and it may only happen twice in a game but that's 4 pts. Little things add up and Pop wants them paying attention to how if they can stop 4 pts here and 4 pts there then they will win.

[Sam]

Matt talked about Timmy being healthy and moving well. Tim is focused and hearts stopped when Jones undercut him. Reporter wanted to know they were let down by the Mavs losing. Matt said that the Spurs split with them and how much they respect the Jazz. How the Jazz are the best executing team in the league. He said it's going to be very physical.

Back to Tim, Matt said that Tim is a private person and he's very low keyed. He doesn't need the attention. He does a lot that people don't know about it but he's very active in the community. Tim does it for the right reasons not to get the limelight.

[Sam]

Matt said Jazz are very physical and play half court. It's a change of pace. They will look at film on them today and will be breaking it down. He talked about Boozer giving them problems. Believes Jazz is similiar to Spurs. Reporter asked what scouting report was? Matt said to contain Williams and not let him do whatever. Stop Boozer on the block. Watch Okur with the threes. Outrebound and hit the boards hard. Win one at their place after winning two at home so that they can get the advantage.

Preview of Pistons/Cavs? Matt said we'll see. Both teams seem confident and Pistons have the experience. Cavs have been looking forward to this all year.

[Kori Ellis]

That was a good interview. Thanks for linking to it.

[Sam]

That was a good interview. Thanks for linking to it.
He does it every Saturday at noon. Sometimes I forget to post it though. He did it in Toronto and was hillarious talking about the losing. Earlier this year he was pretty funny talking about some of the stuff that Barry and Duncan do at practice. Especially talking about how Timmy hates cold weather and came to practice late because of the ice on the roads.

[SpursFanFirst]

Thanks for typing all of this out, Sam. I wasn't able to listen.