The Reign of Terror Ends - Suns Smelt Spurs 96 - 79
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 12:14 AM MDT
in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage
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Tonight its official. Order has been restored. I don't mean that the Suns have finally shown that they are better then San Antonio. No, I mean that in the world of professional basketball team play reliant on different guys doing different things but all contributing on both ends of the floor has once again achieved dominance over the muck it up game that San Antonio has relied on for too long.
Tonight signaled the end. Be it the Jazz, Hornets or Lakers or our beloved Suns - the Spurs are done. They can no longer win with two or even three guys carrying all the scoring load. As great as their defense is, the game has passed them by. The best teams have too many ways to score to be held in the 80's and the Spurs have too few ways to score more then that.
Good night mittens.
Good night socks.
Good night cow that jumped over the moon.
Good night Spurs.
The Suns did it tonight with balance. Everyone stepped up big at one time or another. The Suns simply overwhelmed the Spurs and dominated the game from the 2nd quarter on. I would like to say it was a great win over a great team, but I just don't respect the Spurs enough anymore to do that. The Suns might not beat Utah or the Lakers or even the young Hornets in the playoff's but its hard to see how they lose to the Spurs.
I know, I know. Don't count them out. They are just laying low waiting to rise from the dead and eat our hearts.
Not this time. Not unless David Robinson and Sean Elliot have been resurrected from retirement. Not unless Steve Kerr, Vinnie Del Negro and Sean Marks are Manchurian Candidates Cylon sleeper agents who's programming is set to trigger a locker room massacre.
More on the actual game tomorrow.
Tonight, I go to sleep knowning that our lives are just a little bit brighter. That trees can grow and birds can sing and wars will end and oil will flow freely once more....That my children can grow up in world without Spurs basketball.
And by the way, I love it when you spend all day hating on the other team and a group of freakishly talented professional athletes that happen to wear your home town colors comes out and stands up for guys like me blogging in pajama's from their momma's basement. That's when you know there's justice in the world.
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They're like Lakers fans...
by hcblankscreen on Apr 10, 2008 12:34 AM MDT up reply actions
LOL!
by NativeArizonan on Apr 10, 2008 3:08 AM MDT up reply actions
We don't hate you
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions
sure
but I am Bayesian Updating as we speak.
The regular season may not mean as much as we think, but it may mean more than you think.
What?
Because I've seen gloating all over that board all season long whenever something negative happened to the Suns.
I blame the short memory span on watching too much MTV.
Manu seems to be playing poorly often against the Suns as of late -- including the last two big wins (one in PHX and one in SA).
Nice try...
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 11:15 AM MDT up reply actions
Negativity Implies Hate
However, ad hominem and low-brow attacks certainly give the reasonable observer the inference that hatred exists.
Winning championships does not breed hate, but slowly slipping off the map and into obscurity while falling into mediocrity can certainly engender feelings of loss, hatred and jealously.
Talk to me about all the rings during the off-season, at HOF celebrations and while reminiscing. It sure does not seem appropriate to be reminiscing right now, with this year's playoffs approaching.
Let me point out...
Q1 6:50
Somebody lay a body on Tony Parker already. Lay him out. Clean and non-injuring type shit, but heavy shit nonetheless. He's slicing us up.
by Chboddis on Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 09:50:04 PM EDT
[ Reply to This ]
Fuck that
Hurt him, piss on all these assholes I hate them.
by MichiganSunsFan on Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 09:52:03 PM EDT
[ Parent | Reply to This ]
Classy
Wow...
by CMoney on Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 09:53:12 PM EDT
[ Parent | Reply to This ]
Yeah
I apologize for that comment.
by MichiganSunsFan on Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 10:01:52 PM EDT
[ Parent | Reply to This ]
Fuck that
piss away.
by RealTangiblesGuy on Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 11:05:59 PM EDT
[ Parent | Reply to This ]
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:04 PM MDT up reply actions
You are correct
However, it is a red herring in the running portion of the conversation in that we were discussing Sp*rs' fans hatred for Suns' fans.
Additionally, you are illustrating my point that hatred can be inferred.
You may also be interested in my post requesting that we all curtail the use of obscenities.
Join me, CMoney, and together we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the blogosphere.
Hey CMoney..
So, if I were you, I would be concerned about what's going to happen if these teams do meet in the playoffs. (Keeping in mind what happened last year and what's happening this year) But then again...maybe you are worried.
There's no other explanation on why you are hanging around here.
I can see that...
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Come on C!
I get into other team blogs also but the difference is that I don't get upset and comment about what I see or read while I'm there. I'm mature enough to understand that since I'm "hearing the other side of the argument" these are the types of stuff that you will get to read.
So do what I do, just sit back and laugh...
I got it, the first time.
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
It's all good
I don't apologize for wanting Tony Parker laid out though. I don't think anyone will disagree about the deterrent effect of hard fouls in the lane, though sometimes they have the opposite effect and "wake up" great players now and again.
So, keep it coming CMoney and we'll see if we meet again in a couple weeks.
by Mike Lisboa on Apr 10, 2008 12:37 PM MDT up reply actions
Glorious!!!
For the first time in, i guess, a decade the Suns really seem to be better than the Spurs. Whether or not our boys can step up and beat team like the Lakers or the Hornets remains to be seen, but night like tonight give us hope. The playoffs may not be here yet, but the Suns are laying the ground work and are prepared to take on just about anything now.
LONG LIVE THE SUNS!
awesome game, great to be there
shaq is really going to help us more than Marion ever could against many teams, the Spurs being one of them
Diaw and Barbosa showed up tonight, if we see more of that, only good can come
Nice to see the lead was built with Amare and Nash out, it was a barbosa 3 and some quick motivated baskets by shaq that quickly found the suns up by 10! Plus some great hustle by Diaw / Bell & Hill!!
A Suns fan in full Suns attire won one of those spurs t-shirts from the t-shirt gun and threw it back onto the court in classic 'spurs rejection - homerun ball toss back' style....it was fantastic!
Some negatives...
During parts of the game the suns offense seemd to just die (end of first tonight....dallas game 4th Q recently)
Amare is being so easily upset and handled by the spurs, he really was lucky to not get ejected with the way he reacts to stuff, right or wrong (and he's (Amare) often right) about the calls, you have to just keep playing. Shaq and Nash are classic examples of letting their hustle and heart do their talking, while Amare simply hasn't figured out how badly he's hurting the team with his lack of thought....in retrospect...I was upset about the poor rule and the suspension last year vs the spurs, but now I see that Amare is being manipulated by a smarter team and if Shaq and Nash
(really Shaq since it's clear Amare is too important to learn from Nash) can't wake Amare up,
we're going to be inconsistent.
One STAT should really tell the story,
Nash 5 rebounds
Amare 4 rebounds!!
5 Suns players either tied or beat Amare in rebounds tonight!! There's simply no excuse for someone with Amare's athletic ability to be having rebound results like this!!
*****
Still, a great win and with the remaining schedule for the Suns vs the remaining schedule for the Lakers, I think we could be looking at winning our pacific division again, it is very possible.
Lakers play both S.A. and N.O. still, our toughest games are done. Great season, tough loss to Dallas.
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
one additional thing
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
agree
About Amare, it's almost the same complaints. He want to be considered as the franchise player, but no way you can be the franchise player until you grab more rebound that your point guard (and Nash is not Kidd for grabbing rebound).
The team looks better now with Shaq rather than Shawn, but Amare has to stop whining and play, and bring this team a championship! thereafter, no one will ever discuss his MVP caliber!
Thanks, Jason!
I agree with you about Amare. He needs to get more rebounds, and he needs to control himself better. Still, he is getting better on the control. It is a work in progress. But I think he has decided in his head that he doesn't need to rebound anymore. If he rebounded, we would control the boards every night.
Rebounds
He boxed-out well, and his active hands helped grab some boards for which he did not get credit. I think he also knocked a loose rebound or two off of a Sp*r player.
This is a case where the stats weren't quite representative of the effort.
I was thinking the same thing
There's times a guy boxes out and his team mate gets the rebound (and credit for his work). There's tips and deflections. And sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce in your direction.
I look at rebounding averages. Amare is right there with KG at just under 9/game.
Oh, and Amare only had like 31 minutes last night AND overall the Suns won the battle of the glass which is most important. Team effort.
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 9:47 AM MDT up reply actions
That's a creative post
P.S. Chboddis, great job with the live blogging. And you [and ZonaFlash] showed class over at PtR. [Are y'all (BSotS people) sure that none of you is a closet 'dalegg'?]
by Key on Apr 10, 2008 3:18 AM MDT reply actions
key
Still, fun game to see shaq so involved. A few other comments, while being there in person, it's very clear both ginobili and parker attack the basket better and faster than anyone we have. Many times they'd get an easy layup due to their speed and strength at driving to the hoop. But, a few times our help defense actually kicked in and forced a bad shot off these drives, or got a block or turnover.
fun game, its so funny to me, we're number 6 and the lakers are/were number 3. The funny thing, with some luck we could take over the three position....to have the lakers fall to five or six....so...we'd be playing....drum roll...the lakers still haha...kills me.
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
What's the point
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 8:31 AM MDT up reply actions
whats the point in
of it, thanks for keeping your word@#$%
If an admin is going to straight out lie to me about stuff, I think I'm done. You owe me an apology srp
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
I am sorry
Besides, I only wrote about the demise of the Spurs and left a TON of room (and there still is a gapping hole in our coverage) to both recap the actual game and provide your on-the-scene report.
I am sorry you felt I overstepped, but its not as if there only has to be one recap of such a great game. I hope you will still post yours.
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 9:18 AM MDT up reply actions
Now that's class
Key, if you come over here after a loss - in my book you can come over here anytime and say anything you want.
I'm adopting you... as a closet SUNS fan.
Well actually
by Key on Apr 10, 2008 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions
Good one
by Key on Apr 10, 2008 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions
If one play
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions
Was it worth it?
The DJ-Luke/Truck teams couldn't do it. The Larry Nance/Walter Davis led teams couldn't get over the hump. We even tore our team up and remade them with KJ, Chambers, and Majerle. Then it happened. We finally beat the Magic/Divac team in 1991, only to find that the other teams had caught up. While we focused on beating countering LA's Showtime with a Showtime team of our own (Those fortunate enough to be fans of the pre-Barkley Suns were indeed treated to an awesome offensive team led by KJ, Majerle, Hornacek, and Chambers, with Eddie Johnson and point-a-minute Ced Ceballos off the bench). That team, too was forced to sell its soul (Hornacek) to get an outspoken fat boy to help us bang the final nail in the coffin of the hated enemy.
Concentrating on the Lakers took so much energy, that we lost track of what the Blazers were doing. I believe a similar thing is happening here. We have focused so much on vanquishing the Spurs demons that we have overlooked the Utah's and New Orleans's of the league. Have we finally accomplished our goal, only to find we have been fighting windmills?
good points....
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
Damn Hawk...
PanamaSun
Nothing in this Verse can stop us!
Sweating Bullets
Last night, I woke up screaming, "Duckworth!"
I think you're right.
Veiled Threat?
"It definitely wasn't a basketball play on his part, and I reacted" Stoudemire said. "And I definitely didn't appreciate it. I let him know about it."
Asked if he would be Bowen's friend on the MySpace Web site, Stoudemire responded negatively at first, then changed his mind.
"I probably would," he said. "But just to get his address. Then I might go visit him at his home."
LOL
by Nobs on Apr 10, 2008 10:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Amare is an jr MVP
He shouldn't be getting into scraps with over-the-hill bit role players.
Don't play Bowen's game, Amare, it's beneath you!
MVP is about being the better player
People should stop with this 'don't-bother-with-him' thing everytime Bowen does a dirty play. It's not because he's an asshole that people shouldn't react. Maybe he would have stopped it already.
by Nobs on Apr 10, 2008 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah
But if Amare overreacts in a game, it may cost us. Luckily it didn't this time, but next time, you don't know.
Yeah, you're right
by Nobs on Apr 10, 2008 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions
GREAT GAME
Let's keep focusing on one another, get tight and bring the heat every night all the way thru to the Finals.
-E.
Shocker of the game.
My assessment of the game was
[1] We had great bench play.
[2] They didn't [read: Manu didn't].
Going forward, however, this is not enough to congratulate ourselves on since we know [1] nor [2] are reliably going to stay the same.
We can hope [1] persists and we can hope that Manu shot his wad in the regular season - that he peakedd too early.
However, the thing that I am most happy about is that I believe the Spurs made a strategic error in playing Bowen on Nash the entire game.
This allowed Nash to adjusted and accommodate to Bowen's defense. And I think Nash handled the Bowen defense really well (few if any TOs).
So if Bowen can't effectively guard Nash, what can the Spurs do now?
Nash's D
Nash get's crap all the time for not being able to defend quick PG's like Parker or Ellis.
Where's the dis for Parker for not guarding Nash?
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 11:16 AM MDT up reply actions
Key and my Spurs friends
The Spurs are a great defensive team. But in the past they were also able to score the ball in different ways. Do you really think that 3 guys carrying the load is enough anymore?
Its too easy for average defensive teams to load up on those guys when the role players can't step up and help share the load.
And I don't just mean the Suns. Looks at Utah? They can kill you inside, shoot from outside, penetrate, rebound, run and execute in the half court as always.
How do the Spurs beat that? Last time I check those banners can't score buckets and the other contenders (other then the Horents) have solid experience now.
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 11:26 AM MDT up reply actions
3 guys can't do it all
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions
CMoney,
Do you think Manu may have peaked? I'm concerned that he might have just worked to hard having that massive regular season.
He may be slumping or he may have peaked.
How do you tell the difference and what do you see?
He's slumping
I also want to point out the ages of our big 3. Tony 25, Manu 30, Tim 31. Tim has never played the pounding style of bball like Shaq, so I expect his body to hold up longer. Our role players are what make us look so old...Horry, Finley, Bowen, Barry... Role players can be replaced.
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Manu's an old 30
However, it is true that the bigger problem seems to be the age of the supporting cast.
Timmeh is not slowing down, he was already moving slowly. I don't know if avoiding the "pounding style" of Shaq is the key here; it's simply that he's always been a smooth operator, and, as we all know, men tend to become more graceful and sophisticated with age.
I just don't see it
This season: 46% FG, 40% 3pt, 86% FT 19.6 avg pts per game
Career: 43% FG, 38% 3pt, 82% FT, 14.7 avg pts per game
And Manu is 6'6, 205 lbs of lean muscle. He has the frame to withstand a beating. Lord knows Nash takes a beating and he 6'3 175lbs.
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions
I assume Mano
Manu coming off the bench becomes the only option and teams - especially in the playoffs - can load up to stop him.
There's too much firepower in the West's best to keep up with "only" the big three.
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 2:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Ditto this
How about you guys - do it concern you that your rotation might not be long enough if/when Shaq and Amare get in foul trouble?
by Key on Apr 10, 2008 1:10 PM MDT up reply actions
Agree
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 2:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Rotation Problems?
Wasn't it a 13-6 Suns' advantage with Shaq and Amare on the bench?
Yeah, we used to be concerned, but then Mike D started taking our advice and giving The Principal some burn. Also, Kerr was brilliant in trying to fool everyone into thinking the Suns wanted Damon Stoudamire, Brent Barry, et al., when he was really gunning for Moodicek.
GINOBLI INJURED
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/04/mike_monroe_gro.html
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 4:59 PM MDT up reply actions
Ah, the sweet taste of victory!
And as far as Bowen, it was classic Spurs low-class tactics last night, as the game started to slip away there was Bruce, tripping and body-checking Nash, then the special sauce to Amare's ribs on the pick.
Here's hoping the Spurs can rally back to down the Lakers, and the Suns can win-out!
Full French
http://www.thedirty.com/?p=20355
So long as he keeps running over the Maginot Line.
I am just
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 12:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Case in point
by Seth Pollack on Apr 10, 2008 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Can you blame him!?!
by CMoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:14 PM MDT up reply actions
One more thing to add:
Thank you. Although it stung a bit at the time, I see now that is was better for both of us that you not join the Suns. OK, it was just better for the Suns, as I'm sure glad you're sitting on the bench in a suit not hitting 3s for the Spurs, as opposed to not hitting them for the Suns. But anyway, thanks again, and good luck with that rehab.
Sincerely,
Suns fan.
Does this make Nash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scmx1z94WAI
That's someone trying to be dirty but failing
More importantly, however, the real damage was done when he tried to pull back from the tip. When he did so, he locked up the left leg of his opponent, and that was the main problem with that play.
It's pretty clear that he stuck his leg out to trip his opponent and then pulled it back, thinking better of it. However, he did more damage than good by pulling his leg back.
It's a foul, probably a flagrant one. But the end result is the offensive player falling to the floor just like a "normal" foul on a driving player.
Moreover, it appears to be an isolated incidence (given that YouTube does not have video diaries of him doing the same thing) and the potential likelihood of serious injury is much lower than a flying side kick, a stomp on the achilles tendon or sticking your foot under a jump-shooter.
Is everyone clean all the time? No. Are some dirty players labeled "dirty" because they are repeat offenders? Yes.
Bowen is not dirty
Let's lay off the guy ok...he's just a poor old boy, trying to make his way, trying all he ever saw to avoid trouble with the law since the day he was born...
by Seth Pollack on Apr 11, 2008 10:57 AM MDT up reply actions
Clearly Wally deserved that one!
Wally faked and then ran right into Bowen's foot!
Come on, Bowen just bit on the fake and was already in the air when Wally decided to run into Bowen's foot!
There's a good one of Nash planting his foot into Jason Williams jaw somewhere!
Ok my turn
You Mean the Karl Malone Move?
However, you are arguing that every foul not called is a "dirty" play.
"Dirty" requires that it be unnecessary and something that has a high likelihood of causing injury. A prime example would be a flying sidekick, sticking your foot under a player or throwing a forearm shiver instead of running around a pick.
It's an argument you're going to lose every time with any un-interested (i.e., not a Sp*rs fan) observer.
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