Jimcs50
12-28-2004, 12:14 PM
Sports Update
Spurs are test for Suns
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
The record says the Phoenix Suns, at 24-3, are the NBA's best team.
But for the most part, the Suns — regardless of whether they're merely being athletically correct — aren't talking like it.
They know the team they visit tonight, the San Antonio Spurs, is generally considered the favorite to win the NBA.
The Spurs (22-6) have won the title in two of the past six years, and they've added so many parts in recent years to a team that still revolves around superstar Tim Duncan that they're probably the league's deepest team.
They also continue to strangle teams on defense, meaning the Suns— who feature the league's highest-octane offense of the past decade — and their exotic numbers are up against their stiffest test so far.
"This will be the best team we have played and the best team we'll play all season," said guard Steve Nash. "This is a good time to see what we've got, on the road, against a championship-caliber team."
"Sure, it's a tough matchup," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. "That's because they're the best team in the league."
Even so, the Suns' racehorse strategy won't change.
"We're going to run and shoot and live with the results," he said.
The Spurs figure to try to slow down the Suns' running game by overplaying Nash, the Suns coach said, "But we'll have five guys sprinting."
The key: "We have to make shots," he said.
Amare Stoudemire will start out guarding Duncan, D'Antoni indicated.
Said Stoudemire, "You have to keep a body on him and contest his shot."
Stoudemire said he learned from Duncan by guarding him during Olympic practices this summer and by asking the Spurs' big man questions about the game.
"He taught me a lot of about using angles," on the court, Stoudemire said.
More generally, what D'Antoni calls a "classic" early-season matchup features some big-time numbers. Consider that:
- These are the league's most powerful teams from a point-differential standpoint. The Suns outscore opponents by 11.4 points per game, while the Spurs do so by 10.8 points per game.
- The Suns average 109.3 points. That's not only the highest in the league, but the most of any NBA team in 10 seasons.
- The Suns are shooting 48 percent, also No. 1.
- The Spurs give up .412 shooting by opponents, which puts them in a virtual tie with Houston for the status of the NBA's top defensive team.
- The Spurs also give up a league-fewest 85.2 points.
What could determine these two teams’ futures is at the other end. At least right now, the Spurs' offense seems better than the Suns' defense.
The Suns started out the season No. 1 in shooting-percentage defense, as opponents were shooting less than 40 percent against them.
Since then, they've slid all the way to No. 13; their .435 mark is a little better than the league average of .441.
For their part, the Spurs have an efficient offense; their .460 marksmanship is No. 6 in the league.
Spurs are test for Suns
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
The record says the Phoenix Suns, at 24-3, are the NBA's best team.
But for the most part, the Suns — regardless of whether they're merely being athletically correct — aren't talking like it.
They know the team they visit tonight, the San Antonio Spurs, is generally considered the favorite to win the NBA.
The Spurs (22-6) have won the title in two of the past six years, and they've added so many parts in recent years to a team that still revolves around superstar Tim Duncan that they're probably the league's deepest team.
They also continue to strangle teams on defense, meaning the Suns— who feature the league's highest-octane offense of the past decade — and their exotic numbers are up against their stiffest test so far.
"This will be the best team we have played and the best team we'll play all season," said guard Steve Nash. "This is a good time to see what we've got, on the road, against a championship-caliber team."
"Sure, it's a tough matchup," said Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. "That's because they're the best team in the league."
Even so, the Suns' racehorse strategy won't change.
"We're going to run and shoot and live with the results," he said.
The Spurs figure to try to slow down the Suns' running game by overplaying Nash, the Suns coach said, "But we'll have five guys sprinting."
The key: "We have to make shots," he said.
Amare Stoudemire will start out guarding Duncan, D'Antoni indicated.
Said Stoudemire, "You have to keep a body on him and contest his shot."
Stoudemire said he learned from Duncan by guarding him during Olympic practices this summer and by asking the Spurs' big man questions about the game.
"He taught me a lot of about using angles," on the court, Stoudemire said.
More generally, what D'Antoni calls a "classic" early-season matchup features some big-time numbers. Consider that:
- These are the league's most powerful teams from a point-differential standpoint. The Suns outscore opponents by 11.4 points per game, while the Spurs do so by 10.8 points per game.
- The Suns average 109.3 points. That's not only the highest in the league, but the most of any NBA team in 10 seasons.
- The Suns are shooting 48 percent, also No. 1.
- The Spurs give up .412 shooting by opponents, which puts them in a virtual tie with Houston for the status of the NBA's top defensive team.
- The Spurs also give up a league-fewest 85.2 points.
What could determine these two teams’ futures is at the other end. At least right now, the Spurs' offense seems better than the Suns' defense.
The Suns started out the season No. 1 in shooting-percentage defense, as opponents were shooting less than 40 percent against them.
Since then, they've slid all the way to No. 13; their .435 mark is a little better than the league average of .441.
For their part, the Spurs have an efficient offense; their .460 marksmanship is No. 6 in the league.