The journey begins. Well, not really but I always wanted to start a post out that way. In the large scheme of things, this is just another game. It may mean something to the Suns fans and probably to most of the Suns players but the Suns really can't do anything right in the analysts' eyes. Here's what will happen based on the scenario:
Scenario 1: The Suns pound the Spurs into the ground and win by 10+ points
The analysts' take: The Spurs were tired from a back-to-back game, the Suns had two days rest and it doesn't matter because it's the regular season. The Suns will never be able to do it during the playoffs.
Scenario 2: The Suns win by less than 10 or less points
The analysts' take: The Spurs were tired from a back-to-back, game, the Suns had two days rest and they could only beat the Spurs by less than 10? First of all, it doesn't matter because it's the regular season and second, it doesn't bode well for the playoffs.
Scenario 3: The Suns lose by less than 10 points
The analysts' take: The Spurs were tired from a back-to-back game, the Suns had two days rest and they couldn't beat the Spurs AGAIN? The Suns don't have a chance in the playoffs.
Scenario 4: The Suns lose by 10+ points
The analysts' take: The Spurs were tired from a back-to-back game, the Suns had two days rest and they got beat really bad by the Spurs. They may as well forfeit the rest of the season. They obviously aren't going to even make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
Bottom line: If the Suns win, it doesn't matter because it's the regular season. If they lose, then all is doomed because they can't beat the Spurs in the regular season.
Even after all of that though, I still want the Suns to just pound the Spurs with a combination of offense and awesome defense. Here are my keys to the game:
- The Suns have to double on Duncan. You remember how KG handled the Suns when they didn't double him? Well, so do the Spurs.
- The Suns have to play their style of game. You can bet the Spurs will try to slow the game down, get into some half-court offensive schemes and run the 24 second shot clock all the way down. That's fine. Let them do it. But after a miss or a make, the Suns better be running down the court as fast as possible. By the 3rd quarter, Tim Duncan will be pleading for fouls and timeouts just to get his breath.
- Play good defense. It's not going to be enough to just hold Duncan to 20 points. The Spurs have too many options to think that will be anywhere good enough. The Suns need to play good perimiter defense as well. And please, please, please don't let the game get close enough were Robert Horry can make a game-tying or game-winning three and make that stupid face. I really don't want to be sick when I go to bed tonight.