Playing physical and playing dirty are completely different. Playing physical has nothing to do with playing classy either. Bill Russell was a physical defender would you call him unclassy? Would you call Michael Jordan unclassy? All the championship teams play a physical brand of basketball, even the Spurs. You rarely see the Spurs give up uncontested layups or dunks. When they do, Greg Popovich immediately calls a timeout and gets into that player's face about it. When a player tries to drive to the hoop they wrap up their arms and make sure the player doesn't get an opportunity at converting a 3 point play. I will go there with Duncan, as for Shaq he also gets away with more than 6 fouls per game. Just because they are superstars neither should get perferential treatment. Not to mention the extra steps Shaq often takes before he shots the ball and the numerous 3 second violations. Beating up on Parker was a good strategy by the Lakers. Making him pick himself off the floor when ever he tried to penetrate took its toll on him and turned him into a jump shooter for the rest of the series. You have to defend the rim in the playoffs especially on your home floor. Amare Stoudemire only has 5 personal fouls in the first two games. He's not playing physical enough on defense. I don't approve of the cheap shots Gino took either at the end of the Denver and Seattle series. There is no place for head hunting in basketball, especially when they game is out of reach.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Playing physical and playing dirty are completely different. Playing physical has nothing to do with playing classy either. Bill Russell was a physical defender would you call him unclassy? Would you call Michael Jordan unclassy? All the championship teams play a physical brand of basketball, even the Spurs. You rarely see the Spurs give up uncontested layups or dunks. When they do, Greg Popovich immediately calls a timeout and gets into that player's face about it. When a player tries to drive to the hoop they wrap up their arms and make sure the player doesn't get an opportunity at converting a 3 point play. I will go there with Duncan, as for Shaq he also gets away with more than 6 fouls per game. Just because they are superstars neither should get perferential treatment. Not to mention the extra steps Shaq often takes before he shots the ball and the numerous 3 second violations. Beating up on Parker was a good strategy by the Lakers. Making him pick himself off the floor when ever he tried to penetrate took its toll on him and turned him into a jump shooter for the rest of the series. You have to defend the rim in the playoffs especially on your home floor. Amare Stoudemire only has 5 personal fouls in the first two games. He's not playing physical enough on defense. I don't approve of the cheap shots Gino took either at the end of the Denver and Seattle series. There is no place for head hunting in basketball, especially when they game is out of reach.</div> Alright, I agree with you on some points. Of course you can still play physical, even hard and still be classy, but slamming guys down (especially little guys like Parker even if you get mostly ball on them) and sicking four goons/dogs/thugs/pick your metaphor to foul the other team's stars and do nothing else is kinda shady. I really thought it was bad with the lakers last year because a lot of their slams on Parker were really cheap and came in transition (I remember one in particular that was during a change of possesion AFTER Parker had scored and the lakers had the ball). Then there was Malone's elbows in Duncan's back; don't even get me started on that old fool otherwise we'll be here all night. Sure Duncan gets away with a few things because he's a great player, but Shaq gets away with MUCH more (almost forgot about his curly shuffle) and that's been the case with him ever since his Orlando days. I guess you could cut through all this and say that guys like *Parker should just suck it up and not let it faze them and earn titles like El Contuzion (Ginobili) but the bottom line for me is that type of overly physical/thuggish play along with its potential to ruin careers truly cheapens the game more so than flopping or even star treatment. *He does need to suck it up and be more like Manu, but that's not my point.
Both the games were very close, the Suns still have a great shot at this series. I think it's retarded to say that they would be swept. They are a great team and they have stayed this close when Q has been struggling since the Memphis series, we didn't have JJ, and Marion wasn't doing a thing. That last one was because of Bowen's defense. Q is starting to get his shot back, and if he gets hot the game is over for the Spurs. JJ is also back with his defense and shooting. Do not count the Suns out yet.
The Suns managed to avoid a sweep, and won 111 - 106 in Game 4. The game was close towards the end, but the Suns managed to hold on to get the win. Tim Duncan went just 3 - 12 from the line, but had 15 points and 16 rebounds. Joe Johson had 26 points for the Suns in just his second game back from injury.
Nice game four by the Suns, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this game went longer then many expect it to. If they carry this victories momentum in to game five and win that then steal another game in San Antonio they'll be in the drives seat of the series. What an amazing play by Amare at the end of the game, that block was definitely clean and I think that made a statement for the Suns team that they aren't going down without a fight. The Suns also for once got some defensive stops; Marion and JJ also stepped up which helped the Suns a lot.
Great game buy the suns last night, I actually thought that they were going to be swept after the way San Antonio had been playing. Joe Johnson really suprised me with his offense really stepping up. Marion was finally able to break out of his "slump" in this series hopefuly it stays that way so they can get back in this series.
I'm hoping they can win this next game so the series gets really interesting. Hopefully the MVP will step it up and lead his team to victory.
the spurs got this win because the suns are not that good of a team to go against the spurs. the spurs is shuttin down nash. They can not win a game. ill b suprise if they ever lead by aleast 10.
The Suns have to win tonight or they go home. I think they should be able to ride the momentum from the last win and take Game 5 tonight. The Suns have the benefit of homecourt advantage and it looks like Marion and Q-Rich are finally coming around offensively. I'm just wondering when the 40+ minutes Nash & Co. have played starts taking effect.
I have a feeling this series is going to seven games. And if that does happen then the Suns just might steal this series after all. By the way does anyone notice how Nash carries the ball, that is pretty terrible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">I have a feeling this series is going to seven games. And if that does happen then the Suns just might steal this series after all. By the way does anyone notice how Nash carries the ball, that is pretty terrible.</div> Too bad, didn't happen . Spurs win the series 4-1. The Suns had an incredible season this year with Mr. MVP and Amare was just ridiculous in the playoffs. We hope the same or maybe better next year from this team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting All-Star:</div><div class="quote_post">Too bad, didn't happen . Spurs win the series 4-1. The Suns had an incredible season this year with Mr. MVP and Amare was just ridiculous in the playoffs. We hope the same or maybe better next year from this team.</div> Yes, Amare is a phenomal player. Even though I don't particularlly care for Bill Walton's announcing abilities but "throw it down big man". I feel if Joe Johnson was healthy from the start of the series, it may have turned out different. We'll probably see each other next year and if owners and Stern don't screw the pooch. JT
