Western showdown looms
By Kiki Vandeweghe
ESPN,com
Editor's note: ESPN.com NBA analyst Kiki Vandeweghe answered some key questions after the Suns eliminated the Lakers, 119-110, in Wednesday's Game 5.
The Suns sent the Lakers off in five games. At first glance, how do you like the Suns going into a Spurs series?
It's a contrast in styles. A fantastic series. The Spurs want to slow it down, run their stuff, the best half-court game going. The Suns are the best fast-breaking team in recent history, an offense that nobody could put the brakes on.
When these two teams met in conference finals two years ago, Amare Stoudemire averaged 37 a game. Now he's a much better defender, rebounder -- a complete player.
The way I look at the Suns, they have three guys who get you a nightly double-double (Stoudemire, Shawn Marion with points and rebounds, Steve Nash with points and assists. That's amazing.
What's the state of Amare?
I think Amare has everything back. Early in the season he didn't have the confidence to play full tilt. Now he's one of few guys who has come back so well from microfracture surgery.
On the offensive end, he's developed the jump shot.
On the defensive end it seems he has a better understanding of defensive positioning and is real presence in the middle.
Now we have the prospect of him facing Tim Duncan. That's a really interesting matchup.
Does Amare's presence and the Lakers' ill health explain why this year's Lakers-Suns series wasn't close?
Yes. The big advantage the Lakers had last year was inside. Lamar Odom could post up inside, and the Lakers' big people could get offensive rebounds. They could wreak havoc inside.
But the Laker team was not as healthy as it was last year. It just didn't come together this year for the Lakers. A lot of injuries. In the last two months of season they beat one team with a winning record.
Marion ready to explode?
An extremely difficult matchup. He's physically a freak of nature, the way he elevates. One of the travesties of this year was that he was not on the All-Defensive team. He should have been because he's a great defender.
Who do you pick, Suns or Spurs?
Picking the Suns in this one. The Spurs are obviously a great basketball team, but they're dependent on older players to play very well, having at least one or two of them step up. The Suns' team is a young team that has young legs.
The last time these two met in the playoffs, the games did not feature this version of Amare, who is older and better. This year is the Suns' best chance to win a championship.
Are they helped at all by the prospect of an early Dallas exit?
It's only natural to look at best regular-season team in trouble and say this could be a little easier. But I don't think the Suns or Spurs think they can waltz into anything. They are not looking past the other, that's for sure.
--------------------
the funny thing is "Kiki" in the Philippines means "vagina"...right Filipino's?
I guess we're going to hear this every series.Picking the Suns in this one. The Spurs are obviously a great basketball team, but they're dependent on older players to play very well, having at least one or two of them step up. The Nuggets'/Suns'/Mavericks'/Rockets' team is a young team that has young legs.
and this one...
The last time these two met in the playoffs, the games did not feature this version of "Melo/Amare/Josh Howard", who is older and better. This year is the Suns' best chance to win a championship.
I thought we were also old 2 years ago. I also thought that they had proven that they could, in fact, run with the Suns and beat them at that game if they wanted to. Oh, well, with so many teams to watch, who can catch them all? Much easier to just make old generalizations that haven't been borne out in a couple of years.
Kiki blows. He's a Nuggets homer, and will pick against the Spurs until they hoist the trophy.
Legler picked the Suns today too. I think I'd be worried if those guys were picking the Spurs. Kiki traded three first round picks for Kenyon Martin and Legler picked the Timberwolves to win the championship one of the years they didn't even make the playoffs.
i thought we had a pretty good TRIO ourselves.....? and im not talking about the trio off the bench either.....hmmmm
Yeah I can definitely see us having trouble with a young team that scores a lot on fast breaks and has a power forward who is a more complete player than he's been in the past.
In french "kiki" is a childish term for penis.
the funny thing is "Kiki" in the Philippines means "vagina"...right Filipino's?
so Kiki is a combination of penis and vagina of a child....lol
what a stupid reason to pick the Suns. he got nothing
Hey, Kiki was a journey man ; he doesn't know
KiKI
KIKI
Me, too. I don't know how our Spurs will ever prevail.
I see all the Suns fans finally found their way to the board
Nobody is dumb for picking either team, but we all know who is really going to win...
Yep...right after they figured out how to turn on their computers. Yay.I see all the Suns fans finally found their way to the board
I disagree.......
Nobody knows...nobody would bet their life on either team...that is what makes this series so damn interesting.
I think SA has to get split in Phoenix in games 1 and 2 to have a chance, if not, I do not se them winning 4 of the next 5.
If Finley shoots somewhat like he did in Denver series and Manu gets his head out of his ass and plays like he did 2 yrs ago, then SA will win the series.
^nice start...
Brilliant!
Whoa. Talking crap already.New posters. I see now that we have to contend with trolls again...
I see the classy Suns fans have hit the forum.
I love all of the doubters. The victories taste much sweeter after it's all said and done.
Besides, I think the Spurs got a warm up with the Nuggets by having to use their transistion defense. I know the Suns run harder but the Spurs seem to make that extra effort when playing them.
Also, am I wrong in my estimation that TP does pretty well guarding Nash?
Welcome back KB24.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
