How can Phoenix be crumbling so easy against the Spurs? I mean, the Sonics threatened a 7 game series with a close win, a blowout win and a close loss. I realize that Sonics present more matchup problems for the Spurs, but they still made it a series without Vlade or Lewis and with Ray partially gimpy. Makes me realize how multi-dimensional and deep the Sonics were this year. The Suns were a great team this year, but they were very one dimensional. The Sonics were pegged to be one dimensional but proved all season long that they were not. This series is a good education for the Suns players and their organization. It also makes me realize how great the Sonics team was this year.
I attribute it mostly to the Spurs' ability to adapt to the Suns' style of play and the Suns' inability to play defense.
Its because Nate McMillan > D Antonio. D Antoni did not deserve the Coach of the Year..Nate McMillan adjusted after losing games and made a come back even without 2 star players.
Id say its because of the way the Sonics bigmen play and the difference in defense between the Sonics and Suns.The Sonics bigmen started roughing up SA's guards when they penetrated.Ginobili has like 3 highlight dunks on the suns every game.
I wouldn't read too much into it - the Spurs just adapt to the Suns better than they adapt to us. It's no guarantee we'd beat the Suns in a seven game series.
The Spurs are playing like they did the last two games of our series. If they had played that way the whole time...we probably wouldn't have won anything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">The Spurs are playing like they did the last two games of our series. If they had played that way the whole time...we probably wouldn't have won anything.</div> you gotta be kidding me casual. We earned our wins against the same team. They played bad one game (game 4) but besides that they were the same ol spurs..we simply match up a lot better with them then the suns..Suns were done before the series started.
Part of It is about match-ups another part is the Sonics big's were so physical that they gave the Spurs alot of problems inside. Duncan never had It easy and rebounds weren't always easy to come by. Another factor is Joe Johnson. He missed the first two games of the series, both games of which were very close. You don't need to a genius to fiqure out he would of made a difference in those first two games. He can create his own shot, shoot the ball but basically give them another scorer on the floor.
Johnson is their best perimeter defender too, and with Marion struggling so much, they have missed his outside shooting as well. Make so mistake, you don't fluke 62 wins in a season.
I don't doubt the Sun's 62 win season. I also don't think that the Sonics would have had an "easy" 7 game series against the Spurs. I am just curious why they are struggling so much. Yesterday's game was the first I got to watch from start to finish. I think it boils down to their lack of depth in the post. After Amare what do they have? Hunter is serviceable but easily outplayed by the Spurs bench of experienced bigs. I think many of the above comments probably contribute...Nate made good adjustments on team defense which caused problems (at times) for both Parker and Ginobli which helped the damage done by the bigs to be effective. The question about Phoenix is whether D'Antoni is not making the adjustments or if his players are unable to make them work. I don't doubt Nash or Marion, but perhaps the youth of Richardson, Stoudamire, Johnson and the bench limit his ability to change things up. Jim Jackson has played everywhere, and always been effective (well, at least when he reported to play) but I am not sure whether he is going to help a lot on team defense. He always seems like a "me first" guy on the floor, which may be a result of years of being traded despite his hard work and dedication.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like the Suns have forced at least a Game Five.</div> yea they did...and now the momentum has shifted to phoenix...and if they'll wuin game 5...i dunno wat will happen....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j_a_d_e:</div><div class="quote_post">yea they did...and now the momentum has shifted to phoenix...and if they'll wuin game 5...i dunno wat will happen....</div> I don't know if a single win shifts the momentum. It was do or die and the Sun's played like it. They forced the Spurs to play harder and the Spurs were resting on their laurels a bit too much. I don't think Phoenix can win another game unless they significantly improve their defensive rebounding. They can't run their fast break without it and they don't have the skills to defend so many second and third chance opportunities by the Spurs. Ginobli is killing them. How the heck does he score like that???!!! He had a few acrobatic reach around layup/finger rolls that were just not real. He is like Mr. Fantastic stretching his arms out in that commercial with Magic.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Seattle.:</div><div class="quote_post">I attribute it mostly to the Spurs' ability to adapt to the Suns' style of play and the Suns' inability to play defense.</div> GET OUT OF MY HEAD MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
