Bruce Bowen vs. ...?

Marion.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Bell is averaging ~37 mpg in the playoffs. I don't think that will be a big factor. Manu can guard someone else in very small stretches but most of the time he's on the court, Bell will be on the court.

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Good point. Bell was brought on board to the Manu Stopper. He'll probably see a lot of time against Manu.

I think Manu should be fine as long as Manu is put into pick-and-roll action and doesn't try to take it one-on-one against Bell.

The last game we did a good job on Marion for three quarters with mainly Fin/Manu, he had 8 points through 3, but he scored 9 in the 4th when the Suns hit us with that comeback.

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Originally Posted by timvp

For the Spurs fans who remember the 2005 Suns, you should just forget about that Phoenix squad. This team is much, much better. Stoudemire is a smarter basketball player. Nash is playing better than ever, especially defensively. Marion might be the most dynamic player in the league. Bell is a hard ass who will do whatever it takes to win. Barbosa is playing at a very high level. Diaw is talented. Kurt Thomas can guard Duncan with success. James Jones is like a sane Stephen Jackson.

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I'm really glad you said that. For some reason, no one takes us Suns fans seriously when we say that this '07 team is a step above that '05 team.

One thing I noticed about Manu this series is he doesn't seem to have much confidence going behind his back. A lot of his turnovers are coming because he's putting the ball out in front of him on the dribble and the second man on those screen and rolls is able to lunge and tap it away.

If he just did a behind the back dribble instead of that one hand crossover move that doesn't work as much as it used to, he'd probably be able to have a clear path to the hoop, blowing past a lunging big man behind him.

I'd put Bruce on Nash and Finley on Marion

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

I'd put Bruce on Nash and Finley on Marion

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That's what I hope is successful, that Finley can hold down Marion. I think Pop will hold Bowen playing Nash though until critical junctures, the way he did with Billups, to muck up the Suns in crunch time.

the spurs coaching staff seems to vary their strat on the suns from game to game since the conference finals in 2005. who knows what they will come up with, but it will probably be effective as long as they hit their own shots.

Barbosa is the guy you gotta watch out for. marion doesn't scare me as much as Barbosa does...

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Originally Posted by inagra

I'd rather have Bowen on Nash and disturb so much that he can't run the offense.

Marion cannot, i repeat cannot create his own shot. Finley is enough for Marion.

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BINGO!!!!!! We have a winner!

You're kidding, right? A more defensive lineup?

I've read and heard a few things this year that Phx is a different team than the last two years because they've ramped up their defense. What???

Allowing 110 points to a poor Lakers team in an elimination game doesn't seem like very good defense, esp. when Kobe only scored 34 of them and you've got Kwame, Odom, Parker(Smush), Walton, and other lesser names on their squad scoring the other points.

So don't come with a "defensive" lineup, just come with what you've got and we'll still beat you in 6. There, I gave you one more win than 2 years ago.

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Originally Posted by Xylus

Our best offensive lineup is:

Nash
Barbosa
Bell
Marion
Stoudemire

I'd prefer a more defensive lineup to start the game:

Nash
Bell
Marion
Stoudemire
KThomas

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Tony' pwns Nash on offense and defense for the past year.
Bowen has pwned Marion for the last several years.
Timmah pwns Amare on offense.
Amare can score all he wants, the Spurs shut down the others.

Spurs in 5, like '05. Sun goin' fishin'.