NBA Play-off Preview: Spurs (3) vs Suns (6)
April 18, 2008
The Big Aristotle vs. The Big Flannel (patent-pending-phrase), coming to a TV set near you. So why am I a little bored with this series already? I suppose it is because we have seen this series three times in the last five years, and each time the results were the same. Stephon Marbury, or Amare Stoudamire, or some other Sun has a huge series…and San Antonio wins anyway. Are there good reasons to expect the underdog Suns to put forth a firm challenge to the defending NBA champions?
Actually, I do believe this series will go seven games. Yes, the Suns have added a “little-known” aging center by the name of Shaquille O’Neal to their roster, and that may help a little bit. But Shaq had a higher scoring average in Miami than in Phoenix, believe it or not. Yes, the Suns added Grant Hill in the off-season…but again, this is 2008, not 2000. And I do not believe a Grant Hill-led team has ever advanced to the second-round of the play-offs. There’s still another acquisition by Phoenix that intrigues me…
I am speaking of the Euro-Gunner, Gordon Giricek. He’s a guard scoring 8.8 ppg, with a nearly 50% average from the field and a 94% foul-shot shooting percentage. Those are eye-popping numbers, especially for the little-known Giricek; is the presence of Nash really that inspirational?
This Suns-Spurs series will not be decided by the starters; I think that the two teams will mostly fight each other to a draw on that front. But it will be decided by which team can get a jolt of energy and scoring off its bench. I know that Gordon has a poor reputation around the league, and that this season may be his last few minutes in an NBA uniform. But I think he knows it too. And if he can score and flop to match Manu, the Suns can run an 8-man rotation and stay fresh.
Otherwise, some other story angles you may want to keep your eye on, in bullet-proof form. I am doing my best to give you original analysis, so I’ll try to stay away from the obvious stories:
- Phoenix self-control. Do you remember outgrowing the neighborhood bully…and not noticing it until months afterward? Phoenix actually has the upper hand in this series despite being a (6) seed, as San Antonio will be sorely tested by the Shaq/Amare combo. But will Phoenix be too weighed down by past memories? Bowen and Duncan are masters of psychological warfare.
- San Antonio fatigue. I know the San Antonio Robots are a model of professionalism and do not feel fatigue, let alone human emotion. Coach Pop has done an excellent job of limiting their minutes, as well. But what happens if Phoenix jumps out to a quick 2-1 or 3-1 series lead, and continues to push the ball? I have never respected the comeback abilities of the Spurs; like an NFL team that runs the ball a lot, they are in trouble when trailing in a game.
- Kurt Thomas was added to the Spurs late in the season for nothing. The Suns were angry about that, especially GM Steve Kerr. How will that affect the play of Thomas–will he be fired up, or try too hard?
- D’Antoni’s bench management, which has killed the Suns for years now. It’s better to have 35 good minutes than 40 mediocre ones from your starters.
Prediction: Spurs in 7. I like what the Suns have done in adding Grant Hill, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gordon Giricek to the squad, but they will miss the all-around excellence of Shawn Marion in this series. And remember, it usually takes a team a few seasons to learn how to use Shaq.
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6 Responses to “NBA Play-off Preview: Spurs (3) vs Suns (6)”
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That is a hideous shirt.
Wow.
BM-
Whassup?! That’s laid back island steezo!
BM, sorry, I should have labeled it as “NSFE” (Not Safe for Eyes), ha.
Wow. I see a shirt like that, I think of Italian restuarants and pushing meatballs across the table with my nose.
Damn, you guys are harsh :=)
The truth is the truth. Somebody should have told Timmy that shirt was unacceptable.
Anyway, I pray that the Spurs win, but I worry that this might be the Suns year.