Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs: Game 6

by Dan on May 18, 2007 9:28 AM MDT in Suns News Comment 40 comments

It's another do or die game for the Suns. If they lose, the season is over. If they win, they come back home for game 7.

I give the Suns a good chance tonight. They fight hardest when their backs are against the wall. They'll have all of their players and the Spurs won't have their mascot (Cheap Shot Bob) for tonight's game. Not that he really does anything for the team anyway, but still.

The key to tonight's game? Just play like they did on Wednesday - only this time don't run out of steam. Since they have a full team, that shouldn't be a problem. I'm worried about the 6 guys that played the bulk of the minutes on Wednesday getting tired but I think with two additional players, that won't happen.

I don't know what else to say about this game except that. We know it's Win or Go Home. They know it's Win or Go Home. They have their eyes on the prize but Mr Stern and Mr Jackson just keep stepping in front of it so the Suns can see it. If the Suns are going to get the prize, they're going to have to shove those guys out of the way and take it. Certainly, no one is just going to give it to them.

If anything, it'll make for more drama on the championship video I'll order as soon as the Suns win it all. GO SUNS!

(There will be an open thread on the game tonight. We're 2-1 with those and should have been 3-0 so I'm going to continue the practice.)

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Deleted previous comment

First of all, it was a book. Second, it had so much swearing I couldn't even read it. Third, it made no sense. Fourth, this is a stinking Suns site. You want to rip on everyone under the sun about how supporting the Suns, go to the Spurs blog - I really don't want to hear it.

So, I'm sorry to those of you that didn't get to read it. I skimmed the thing and it still took me 5 minutes. It just didn't have a place here - especially with all the swearing. As I said before, if you can help it, don't swear. A lot of young people read the blog and they don't need to be reading that.

by Dan on May 18, 2007 11:08 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well..

I think anyone feeling deprived that they didn't get to see it can still find it here if so inclined. At least until Dan sees this and deletes that copy of it too. :) Dan: Any way to ban this guy? I have no problem with Spurs fans being here, even the trolls if they have nothing better to do with their time. But I agree that the kind of profanity-laced posts perpetrated by this guy do not belong here.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Well, curse words aside, I actually found this guy's rant rather amusing (what I read of it anyway). It just doesn't belong here. He should post it to Pounding the Rock.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 11:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

Interesting, but the thing that strikes out at me is this "As long as the zebras give us a fair shake, we're going to win this one going away, by 12 to 15 points."

So in essence, the only way for Spurs to lose is, if refs are on Suns side. And i thought Dallas fans were cocky!

by Whaat on May 18, 2007 11:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey!

Hey, the Spurs have won championships. We have at least a little reason to be cocky. Don't compare us to Mavs fans!

by 21Duncan on May 18, 2007 11:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry..

I say this sincerly, without any sarcasm. It was very rude of me to compare you to Mavericks fans. That said, the post was very disrespectful towards Suns and their fans in a way.

by Whaat on May 18, 2007 11:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know...

If we can all rally around mocking the Mavs and their fans, there is hope yet that the Spurs and Suns fans can be friends again...

by 21Duncan on May 18, 2007 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I really don't mind Spurs fans coming on here...it's just when they're swearing and don't have anything to add to the discussion except "F*** everyone" which is exactly what the guy said.

Thanks 21Duncan for keeping it civil. We enjoy having you here as long as you're adding to the discussion.

by Dan on May 18, 2007 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Game 6 Suns @ Spurs

Yes, I am a Suns fan. However, I have enjoyed watching and supporting many of the NBA teams throughout many years past and supported the Spurs at various times.

I am not going to call the Spurs names or talk about what has happened except to say that I do not agree with Pop's comment regarding the foul by Horry and have now lost a lot of respect for him -- not that he will really care.

The Suns have a great chance of taking the game tonight in SA and it will not have anything to do with the calls or lack of by the refs. It will have to do with the fact that the Suns will play their hearts out!

I don't believe it will be an easy win but it will be a win.

GO SUNS! BRING IT BACK TO PHOENIX FOR GAME 7 AND TAKE THE SERIES.

ALSO WANT TO SAY THANKS TO THE FANS OF OTHER TEAMS WHOSE SEASON IS NOW OVER FOR SUPPORTING OUR SUNS.

by cvsunsfan on May 18, 2007 11:52 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

For those who think Jackson and Stern.......

....following the "letter of the law" then what happened in this case?

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1028/1452258.html

by saxmanager on May 18, 2007 12:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Read the story

Rick Fox waited in the tunnel for Christie. Thus, when they started fighting again, there was no way to know what was going on. Were fans coming in? Was there a problem in the locker room? It wasn't a simple court altercation, and since the players didn't leave the bench until it restarted in the tunnel, it was ruled that there was no way for them to know what was going on.

by 21Duncan on May 18, 2007 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's your interpretation

But Stu Jackson's interpretation was as follows:

"In this circumstance, our judgment was that the players who left the bench were attempting to break up the fight and did not escalate the altercation"

by andrewinnewyork on May 18, 2007 2:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

welcome to san antonio

Yo Suns!

There will be no bomb threats here. Spurs Fans don't throw things. We may chant at you or wave funny banners, but Best of Luck. You're gonna need it.

After the game, you might need to relax and get over things. Enjoy our River Walk, see the Alamo.
Make other plans for the rest of May ;)

by gospurs on May 18, 2007 1:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't want to go there...

Now look, I am not going to ever be elected the Phx Boosters Club but I have been to SA. And to the River Walk. And let me just say that if the River Walk is all there is - and pretty much it is all there is - then you are in trouble.

SA was pretty much Houston w/o the Gulf being nearby....not exactly a vacation spot if you know what I mean.

And btw, Spurs fans were throwing coins on the court during game 4 so I am not sure I would go there either...

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 1:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't want to go there ...

They have the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Too bad the Riverwalk wasn't around when Ozzy came through.

Ahh ... the Alamo. How many cities' point of civic pride is the site where many of its citizens were killed off in one of the biggest massacres ever?

Fight to the last man, Spurs.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 18, 2007 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alamo

Actually, the Alamo story is a very fitting analogy for the present situation. A badly undermanned and somewhat makeshift group of soldiers held off a much larger army for several days, fighting down to the last breath (if you believe the "legend" version of the story). They did lose the battle it's true. But the "team" they were fighting for (i.e., Texas) won the war in a later battle where "Remember the Alamo" was the rallying cry.

Perhaps tonight Amare and Boris will remember their teammates' Game 5 "Alamo", and lead the Suns to win the war.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 2:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

welcome to the united states

If it wasn't for the Alamo and San Jacinto Arizona would be in Mexico
Check your history
And you're welcome, again.

So, this is what Sun's fans are like.

Have a nice day.

by gospurs on May 18, 2007 2:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Antonio is Still the Same

"If it wasn't for the Alamo and San Jacinto Arizona would be in Mexico"

Actually, the Alamo battle occurred in 1836 during the Texan war of independence from Mexico. The war broke out because the Americans sent subversives into Texas/Mexico with the goal of obtaining the territory through an internal revolt (ala the Green Beret "advisors" in Vietnam). It was an under-handed way to acquire something they wanted while trying not to look like the agressor (ala Bruce Bowen).

Much later, the Mexican-American war broke out, and in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the majority of the Arizona territory was acquired. Arizona acquired its southern border via the Gadsden Purchase in 1854.

Thanks for nothing, San Antonio.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 18, 2007 3:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

21 million tourists per year

gee, sorry you didn't enjoy yourself.
but then, i think i can kinda understand.
btw this is a wink: ;)

but all kidding aside, can you really equate bomb threats and throwing (plastic) bottles at players and the press til they had to move the interview with coins on the court? i didn't see the coins, but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

by gospurs on May 18, 2007 2:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

21 million people can't be wrong...

well, then again...

Anyway, city bashing aside do you have specifics on the bomb threats bottle throwing incidents?

News to me.

Needless to say, those incidents are unfortunate reaction to a lousey series of event. Lousey unless of course you are Bruce Bowen's knee and you have a taste for male genitals...

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read it somewhere.

I think the story was in AZCentral yesterday. I can't find it anymore though. But yes, it was mentioned that somebody called a bomb threat at 9pm or something like that.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 2:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bomb threats

I remember when I was in Salt Lake during the 1997 finals. Someone called in a bomb threat to the Bulls hotel at 3am to try and get them to lose sleep. Obviously it didn't work...

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 2:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tonight's Strategy

Something we should all be cheering for tonight: Flops by the Suns.

The Spurs take cheap shots, try to twist people's ankles and body check them, and hey, them's the ropes. Spurs fans complain that Raja and Steve flop a lot (you can see a list of top charge-takers here: http://www.82games.com/charges0607.htm).

I say, flop away! Raja and Steve know how to get in the lane, get reasonably close to planted, and get a foul on Duncan -- do it. There is no downside, and if he gets into foul trouble the Spurs will lose. I would love to hear the griping on Pounding the Rock after that.

by andrewinnewyork on May 18, 2007 2:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Abolish the foul limit

Here's an interesting article on SI.

Jack McCullum - an admited Suns fan - makes an interesting arguement for changing or abolishing the 6 foul limit.

I hadn't given it much thought but he raises some interesting points such as: the limit was established in 1947 when dunking wasn't even a physical possiblity let alone a regular part of the game.

The obvious problem is guys hacking each other and to combat that he suggests increasing the penalties for fouls such as getting possession after the foul show after a certain number of fouls per quarter.

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 2:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the foul limit

Abolishing foul limits would increase rough play and would allow for shoddy defense. The thing I like about the foul limit is it lets aggressive teams do their thing. It has happened both ways in this series. When Barbosa was going to the rim in Game 4 late in the game, Tim Duncan had to let him go because he didn't want to get his 6th foul. When Amare isn't playing smart defense, he gets in foul trouble and the other team takes advantage. I think it would be a mistake to remove the limit because it would allow for rougher play and take away from the strategy of the game.

by Dan on May 18, 2007 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was my first reaction too

But on further reflection - I am not so sure.

If the penalties for excessive fouls were high enough - additional FT, retained possession, etc. I think that could take care of the rough stuff.

What I don't like about the 6 foul limit is that it takes away from the game. When you are thinking about how to get that 5th foul on TD instead of focused on the game it just takes something away.

I don't know - I would have to think more on this. I did think it was an interesting idea though.

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

srp

i read this already also, I agree, the limit should be removed. But a new rule should be added for people trying to work the freethrow vs the 3 pt shot at the end of games. Simply said, any foul after a certain number of team fouls results in 1 freethrow and the ball out for that same team who shot the free throw.

The nba is too controlling, they're like an abused
person in a relationship who is judging everyone else based off their being abused experience, very narrow,

by jasonsuns1 on May 18, 2007 5:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Guys

Enough about bashing cities lets talk about the real reason why everyone is here. Tonight is one of the biggest games for the Suns. I am a Spurs Fan, and everyone in the world seems to hate the Spurs. The Spurs have won NBA championships and world champs in 99 in France, But they never have been here before. They are the most hated team in the league right now. If the Spurs lose this game tonight it will be very hard for them to get a win in Phoenix. Look for them to come out strong, but the Suns got Amare tonight and he always scares me. That guy is a freak of nature, dont even get me started on Nash, and the Matrix is quite an athlete. The key to this game for the Spurs is gonna be Ginobili no suprise, he needs to knock down his shots early to get in a groove. Im a huge Spurs fan but this doesnt look good, people may say that i have no faith in my team but I am a realist, the Suns are the and excuse my laungage but there is no other way to say this but they are the shit. By the way you think there will ever be a rule about flops?? Like steve kerr said the other night that their the 2 best floppers in the game are playing tonight (Raja & Ginobili), If there ever was flopping champinoship who do u think will win? SpursFan out!

GO SPURS GO!

by SpursFan on May 18, 2007 3:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

I'm impressed! After some of the other Spurs fans' posts we've seen on here this morning, this respect-filled post is a breath of fresh air. As the resident pessimist here (along with Vash01), I can fully appreciate your position. I see a Spurs team that seems to always wait until the very last minute to make its move, and until Game 4, pretty much always pulled it off (and then did it again in Game 5). That's why I've been less than optimistic about the Suns' chances in this series from the get-go. The end of Game 4 was an encouraging turn of events, right up until "the foul". The end of Game 5 was downright depressing, and shorthanded or not, was a reminder of everything I hate about Suns-Spurs games (it's always "oh so close, yet so far away"). The logical half of me is expecting the same outcome tonight, to be honest. In fact, a double-digit Spurs win would not surprise me, as reality might finally sink in in the final minutes. But I like your scenario much MUCH better than mine, so I'll be cheering for that to happen instead. :)

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 3:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's a fake Spurs fan

I don't think that a skeptic here would go and worry over on pound the rock.

by andrewinnewyork on May 18, 2007 4:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's Vash01

...in disguise trying to jinx the Spurs? :)

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha

Oh and try wikipedia, i's reeeally easy: republic of texas and mexican-american revolution

Try and leave off those "subversive" "viet nam advisor" flash words too, they're just, well so lame.

Bruce Bowen- the Aggressor. I like that, Thanks

by gospurs on May 18, 2007 4:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

My fault

I started it sorry. I was in a fiesty mood so I baited the troll a bit...

by Phoenix Stan on May 18, 2007 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

missed this

cancel below, too good to be true

by jasonsuns1 on May 18, 2007 5:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

spursfan

nice post, on ginobili vs bell, I think they need to add that to the allstar skills competiton, right after. :-)

Yes, there's no question amare has more athleticism than any player on the spurs, but, unfortunately for us suns fans, tim duncan is very smart. Plus he is at one with the backboard, man does he make his shots! Good Luck to you as well.

by jasonsuns1 on May 18, 2007 5:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

No More City Bashing

I think the best idea was to join forces and bash Dallas. Although, I've been feeling sorry for Dirk lately; it is kind of sad. Luckily, the ire for Cuban is greater than the pity for Dirk.

But the Alamo analogy is cool for Suns' fans.

Bell's been out-flopping Ginobli for most of the series. Go Suns!

If Amare keeps cool on the defensive end and doesn't get those stupid touch fouls, San Antonio is going to be in for a world of hurt. Ginobli's performance is irrelevant if Amare does what we know he can do and he keeps it cool on D.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 18, 2007 3:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't feel sorry for Dirk

That guy will be back, I promise you. I don't think anybody will be feeling sorry for him a year from now when he's dropping 50 on us again. (Hopefully, though, we'll be strong enough to withstand that type of Kobe-esque barrage next time; last time we didn't have Amare or KT, or even much of Raja).

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 3:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

One roster move that is certain to happen

Is it just me, or does Pat Burke come off as really bitter about Mike D'Antoni's rotation in his latest diary? I'm a little surprised actually, that he would speak out in such a blunt way about it heading into an elimination game. Even if he has a point. Just seems like the wrong time to make a big deal out of it. A sample:

On if the Suns are the better team: "We'll see. The better team will come through. It's funny the word 'team' is the whole team, right? We're playing half of our team. (Spurs coach Gregg) Popovich is using all of his guys and it's working and his guys are better rested, so I don't know. We're going to find out."

That sounds like somebody who won't be around next season talking.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 3:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Why make the roster move at all?

I guess Burke sees the writing on the wall.

He did himself a disservice by chucking up 3s early in the season just because the crowd was cheering for it. In the last game of the season against the Clippers, he had an open three but (I swear) gave the crowd a look of disgust as he passed to a cutter on a drive.

Shame is that he had a nice, little mediocre season last year. Why do teams always sign the guy on the end of the bench to a two year contract just to cut him? Is Burke that much better than Shirley? Will Burke's replacement be that much better than him?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on May 18, 2007 4:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just annoyed

...about him saying it now of all days. For crying out loud, wait until the season is over then go blast Mike D'Antoni on every rooftop if you want. I still think he's a big part of the reason the Suns didn't maintain their early momentum in Game 5. As soon as he came in, things went haywire. Was some of that on D'Antoni for not playing him through the year so he'd be ready when called upon? No doubt. But now is not the time to go complaining to the media. This is about the last thing the team needs right now is their 12th man whining about lack of minutes.

by TexSUN on May 18, 2007 4:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs