duncan228
04-17-2008, 03:15 PM
http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_w1s3.html
Spurs and Suns Are Familiar Foes
The First Round of the Western Conference playoffs is full of intriguing matchups, with none more intriguing than the Spurs and Suns. It is the ninth time San Antonio and Phoenix have met in the postseason, and the fourth time in the last six years, with the Spurs winning each of the previous three meetings.
That San Antonio dominance was a key reason the Suns took a chance and acquired Shaquille O'Neal on Feb. 6. Shaq has had success against Tim Duncan in the past and Phoenix thought they could use his help, along with an altering of their get-it-and-go style, to get past the champs should they meet in the playoffs.
And now, they won't have to wait to really see if the trade was worth it. And they won't have to wait to get a chance to avenge last year's frustrating loss in the Conference Semifinals.
The beginning of the Big Cactus era in Phoenix was not very convincing, but things turned around, interestingly enough, with a big win over the Spurs in Phoenix on March 9. That began a seven-game winning streak, which helped change a lot of minds about the Suns' ability to win a championship and the sanity of GM Steve Kerr. The Suns also handed the Spurs a 17-point loss in San Antonio less than two weeks ago.
The Spurs, while they're the defending champs and should never be doubted, struggled a bit down the stretch, losing three of their last seven games. In addition to the aforementioned 17-point loss to the Suns, they also lost by more than 20 to the Jazz and Lakers. The struggles have mainly come on the offensive end; San Antonio is as consistent as any team could be defensively.
Both having veteran cores, neither of these teams may be this good next year. The proverbial windows could be closing in both Phoenix and San Antonio. With a sense of urgency and a fiercely competitive history, this is sure to be an intense series from start to finish.
If you were told that these two teams were going to meet in the Western Conference Finals, you wouldn't be all that surprised. But this is the craziness of the West in 2008, where two teams with legit shots to win the NBA title are meeting in the First Round.
Enjoy.
Spurs and Suns Are Familiar Foes
The First Round of the Western Conference playoffs is full of intriguing matchups, with none more intriguing than the Spurs and Suns. It is the ninth time San Antonio and Phoenix have met in the postseason, and the fourth time in the last six years, with the Spurs winning each of the previous three meetings.
That San Antonio dominance was a key reason the Suns took a chance and acquired Shaquille O'Neal on Feb. 6. Shaq has had success against Tim Duncan in the past and Phoenix thought they could use his help, along with an altering of their get-it-and-go style, to get past the champs should they meet in the playoffs.
And now, they won't have to wait to really see if the trade was worth it. And they won't have to wait to get a chance to avenge last year's frustrating loss in the Conference Semifinals.
The beginning of the Big Cactus era in Phoenix was not very convincing, but things turned around, interestingly enough, with a big win over the Spurs in Phoenix on March 9. That began a seven-game winning streak, which helped change a lot of minds about the Suns' ability to win a championship and the sanity of GM Steve Kerr. The Suns also handed the Spurs a 17-point loss in San Antonio less than two weeks ago.
The Spurs, while they're the defending champs and should never be doubted, struggled a bit down the stretch, losing three of their last seven games. In addition to the aforementioned 17-point loss to the Suns, they also lost by more than 20 to the Jazz and Lakers. The struggles have mainly come on the offensive end; San Antonio is as consistent as any team could be defensively.
Both having veteran cores, neither of these teams may be this good next year. The proverbial windows could be closing in both Phoenix and San Antonio. With a sense of urgency and a fiercely competitive history, this is sure to be an intense series from start to finish.
If you were told that these two teams were going to meet in the Western Conference Finals, you wouldn't be all that surprised. But this is the craziness of the West in 2008, where two teams with legit shots to win the NBA title are meeting in the First Round.
Enjoy.