Uncomfortably Numb

             First,  I would like to apologize to my fellow Phoenix fans. I haven't up to date or participating as much as I should. There's a lot of stuff in life going on, and have a lot of feelings pertaining to this team, but no time to express them. Please don't see me as a Johnny-Come-Lately, and know I truly do care.

              I'm with TexSun on this one, after this loss, I really felt nothing. Maybe its because I've been denying hope so when the pain comes, its not that bad. After having time to collect my thoughts here's my piece...

                 I don't know what it is, but this team doesn't have the same fire and tenacity as the other past squads. The fun from 2005 was wilting away with championship pressures, and the desperate drive that made the 2006 team dangerous was just not there. To me its was a combination of the overhype this town had on getting a title. Now don't get me wrong, I want to see a banner too, but I understand that as the years go by, the frustration builds. Unfortunately I think that frustration leaks to the locker room which stifles the ability to play loose, confident, and with flare. Add that with this team being screwed more times than Jenna Jamison, you have a squad mentally and emotionally fatiuged, with a fan base that has learned to adore them and now spite them.

                 If there's anything that killed us in this series, it was turnovers, free throws, and execution. No matter who you are, a high-school ball club or NBA squad, you're not going to get jack-shit done if you give up the ball, can't knock down uncontested shots, and run your plays properly. In these past four years, I've come to the realization that winning is not dependent on style, but how well you can perfect that style. Last year San Antonio pounded us in the paint with Duncan and Oberto.  Make personnel changes and we have a good defense, and reaction paint offense for that. Now go to this year, the Spurs still attack the paint, but now with slashes, quick drives, and an up-tempo with Ginobli and Parker. Look at the numbers for Duncan in this series as compared to last year, not much of an impact now. Those who were meek last year, but made the difference this year were the two mentioned bastards. To me the Spurs are not a slow-paced, defensive team, or a running juggernaut,  They're both. Thats what makes this f**king team so superior. They know how to execute, wether it be grinding a team away or running you off the floor, they know when, where, and how to get it done. This is a team of many weapons and options, and Coach Pop knows how to use them.

              Speaking of coaching, now we get to Coach D. Sack or not to sack? To me when you're team can't execute it really doesn't matter. As much as I like Coach, I could really careless if he stays or goes. It won't change the fact that this team's opportunity has been shut tightly. If there's anything to ream him on, its the lack of bench use. Aside from that though, he's been fairly successful with an 8-man rotation. The problem, his 8 men couldn't do shit! You can be the most genius play designer (which I think he is), the greatest manager (which I think he needs to work on), and the most mindful strategist ( eh sort of), but that won't change the fact that your team on the court needs to perform. Even if he does go, other problems still persist.

            The lack of accountability, and drive. When the game is on the line teams have players who can get it the closer. We have the support players, but no one with the nerve to show up. WHERE THE HELL WAS NASH (granted he made a sweet three towards the end) WHERE THE HELL WAS SHAQ IN ALL HIS POWERFUL GLORY!? WHERE WAS AMARE AND HIS GRACEFUL STRENGTH!!!

Nowwhere.

Instead the game when to those who shouldn't have the ball or was blotched by those who were suppose to have it (can we say Amare CATCH THE DAMN PASS Stoudamire)

                This team had neither the presence of mind, the drive, or the passion to win. They were beat by a balanced team who really wanted to win more than us.

I don't know where this team is going and really could care less till summer. I like this team, am too spent emotionally and mentally. Thanks for the memories over the years and damn them all who killed the dream. To my fellow fans I hope you all have a great summer, because Phoenix certainly isn't.