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It's already been demonstrated in this postseason that the Spurs can be beat and even beat at home by a team willing to play physical in the paint and methodical on the offensive end. If D'Antoni was willing to empty his bench, pack the paint, and play a halfcourt game perhaps the Suns do show up tonight and drop a Spurs team who already has one eye towards the next round.
Hopefully the Spurs aren't convinced that this is a done deal, unlike some here.
Aside from the Spurs assuming the series is over and not playing with the same intensity as they did in the first three games, the only way that PHX strategy can be effective is if the Spurs become passive. If they keep going strong to the rim, they'll get PHX in fould trouble pretty quickly. The Suns don't have enough fouls available to clog the lane if Manu, Tony and Tim stay aggressive.
Plus, Horry and Barry have been on from behind the arc. If that continues, if won't matter. It would basically take the Spurs completely forgetting what got them here for PHX to get this to work.
T Park......were you not one of those who lost confidence and jumped off the wagon during the Seattle series?Quote:
Originally Posted by T Park
Part of the reason our road record was not as good as hoped was at the end of the year Timmy was hurt and Manu was hobbled with a groin injury...or a thigh bruise...can't remember which it was......plus Rasho was hurt and all those injuries disrupted the chemistry.
The Suns have some fouls sitting on that bench and putting the Spurs on the line is probably a better proposition than trying to beat them in an open court game. The Suns got back into the game on Saturday night when they slowed it down, ran some plays, and also did their best to D up. Sure, it's an uphill climb for them but it's not entirely out of the question that they can play that way for a night and put themselves into a position to get the W.
Seattle pushed the Spurs to nearly 7 games doing that.
WAIT A MINUTE:
The Sunsīs problems, isnīt to guard TD or TP now, itīs if they can win with 92 points in offense
They have now, they offense problems too
The problem is SA deffense, not SA offense
May be, but the Suns donīt have points in the benchQuote:
Originally Posted by SPARKY
Nash, JJohnson, and Stoudemire are quite capable in the halfcourt. Again, it's if the Suns can commit themselves to playing like that for a game. Defensively, they can pack the paint, run some zone, and force the Spurs to make some shots.
Two years ago Spurs fans saw their team was one win away from the NBA Finals and were calling that series over. Relax? Fuck no.
They use the bench for bodies up front. If D'Antoni is desperate (and smart) enough perhaps he changes up his game plan.
Lies. The Sonics won one game. "Nearly seven games..." :rolleyes Give me a break.Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKY
Game 3 was a Spurs' loss, pure and simple. Two free throws or Tim making his shot at the end, would have probably meant a sweep.
No matter. Let's say you're right, the Suns play their best and the Spurs their worse, and the Suns win.
They have to do that 3 more times to win the series.
Care to make a bet on that happening?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadDog73
You want to bet on whether the Sonics won only one game? Did you watch that series? That series was one shot from heading back to SA for an elimination game.
It's too late to change strategies. Bosco and Outlaw have combined for a grand total of two minutes in the entire playoffs -- rust doesn't begin to describe them. We might see more Hunter but that's about it. I'd be very surprised otherwise.
I don't see how the Suns could win playing this way. They have had next to zero experience playing a tough D game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKY
Hell, yeah. As soon as Tim had that look in his eye, I knew the series was over. I knew we'd find a way to win.
Look, your a pessimist, I'm an optimist. You say we were one shot away from losing. I say we were one Tim Duncan shot in Game 3 away from a sweep.
To be clear, I know the Spurs lost 2 games vs Seattle. But Game 3 was more a Spurs loss, than a Seattle win, if you take my meaning. That's what I meant when I said that the Sonics only really won one game: Game 4.
They have guys who can play in the halfcourt on the offensive end. If they do what they can defensively to limit penetration and force the Spurs to work offensively then that would probably be enough for them. The Spurs can look like an offensive juggernaut in a run and gun game but if you slow it down they are susceptible to struggling. The 4th quarter of Game 3 is a good example of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by spurster
As I said when the series began, Jake Voskhul is the white flag. If he plays Phoenix has given up on everything they did to win 62 games.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKY
Just curious Sparky, are you picking the Suns to win tonight?
FACT: As bad as the Spurs played in the 4th quarter, we still won. Spurs won't give it away tonight. Have faith.
Then we should see more zone and 5 down from them, not Seattle defense.Quote:
The 4th quarter of Game 3 is a good example of that.
Seattle was able to do it because they actually play defense, and they have a bevy of four bigs who can bang, whack you in the head, and rebound. That's like 24 free fouls, since they don't rely on their post scoring. Suns rely on Amare as their primary scorer, and really only have Hunter to bring in as a big, so they're much less likely to use their big men fouls on penetrators.
With a seven man rotation, they really can't afford to play bang bang defense.
Let see.....Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKY
Spurs won 4 games
Seattle won 2
One shot still would not have made a difference.
Spurs advance....Sonics are fishing at the pond behind the Boenig plant.
It's time for Steve to step up!
http://img155.echo.cx/img155/4996/nashtomatrix3co.gif
Actually, I think he has. He's just not getting a lot of help. To ask your starters to play those kinds of minutes every single game is brutal. Especially at this level. The Suns need a bench.Quote:
Originally Posted by NASHville
Nash hasn't been the problem. He's had only one subpar game.Quote:
Originally Posted by NASHville