It's setting up PERFECT for the Phoenix Suns...

DrunkenLullaby · 04-30-07, 01:41 PM

Phx still can't play playoff defense. For all Nash does on offense, he's just as big a defensive liability. This is one major reason why Dallas became a defensive force upon his departure.

SA over Phx in 6.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 02:21 PM

People said in recent years that Dallas doesn't play enough defense to make the Finals. Then, last year they beat the mighty Spurs in Game 7 on San Antonio's home floor!

There is a natural circle of change in sports. The Bulls finally beat the Pistons in the early 90's. The Lakers dynasty of 3-4 yrs ago was finally taken down. The Mavs got over on the Spurs last season, and now it's Phoenix's turn to finally turn the corner.

They will play just enough defense to get it done. If they need to play slow down, they can.

jjgold · 04-30-07, 03:21 PM

Phoenix D will kill them, they could never beat Detroit in a 7 game series and would struggle against the Bulls too. Both of those teams play fierce D.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 03:23 PM

JJ, I expect a FULL APOLOGY from you when the Suns win the title.

LOL.

rjt721 · 04-30-07, 03:26 PM

What's pefect about getting destroyed by SA in the next round?

The key to beating PHX is making Nash work on defense, and Tony Parker will absolutely abuse him in this matchup.

jjgold · 04-30-07, 03:32 PM

Nash cannot play D

Post him up and your bury them, Billups schools Nash all the time

Breaker · 04-30-07, 03:35 PM

If your reasoning for the Spurs to beat Phoenix depends mainly on expecting Nash to let the team down I wish you good luck.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Breaker

If your reasoning for the Spurs to beat Phoenix depends mainly on expecting Nash to let the team down I wish you good luck.

Bingo.

Breaker · 04-30-07, 03:46 PM

May I also remind you that Amare averaged 37 ppg last time they met in the playoffs, and that this time he's got a chip on his shoulder?

WileOut · 04-30-07, 03:49 PM

I'm unloading on SA to win the west.

rjt721 · 04-30-07, 03:51 PM

My reasoning for SA beating PHX is the Spurs are a much better team. Duncan is fully healthy, unlike when they met two years ago, and he will get the best of Stoudemire. Ginobili does all the things Marion does, only Ginobili can actually shoot. Barbosa will get his points, but he will have to work like never before against Bowen. The key to the series will be Tony Parker. He will get into the lane at will against Nash and either score himself, or set up Duncan for an easy two. Nash is great, but he's not the same player when he has to work for 40 min. on the defensive end.

The Spurs defense is the best in the league and can defend the pick and roll, PHX's primary weapon, like no other team.

Spurs in 6.

rjt721 · 04-30-07, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by WileOut

I'm unloading on SA to win the west.

I'm with you bro. Already took them at 6-1 to win it all and will make a huge wager on them beating PHX in the next round.

I hope all you guys keep betting the Suns to beat SA in this series to make the odds even better for me.

rjt721 · 04-30-07, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Breaker

May I also remind you that Amare averaged 37 ppg last time they met in the playoffs, and that this time he's got a chip on his shoulder?

May I remind you that Duncan was far from 100% healthy two years ago, which won't be the case this time around.

Maybe I also need to remind you that, despite Stoudemire averaging 37, SA dominated that series in 5 games.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 04:03 PM

Yes, SA dominated Phx in 2005, but Phx 2007 is a much, much stronger team than they were in 2005. More scorers, tougher Amare in the paint.

Lest you forget that the Spurs had game 7 at home last season vs. a Mavs team that was more finesse than power, just like Phx.

Dallas took care of business IN SAN ANTONIO last season, and Phx can take care of it with the HC advantage.

All respect to the Spurs and Popp's 3 rings with Duncan, 2 rings with Manu and Tony.

However...

There is a changing of the guard that is occurring in the NBA right now. It is time for the Suns of Phoenix to rise up and take the title they have been shooting for for years.

2005 Spurs v. Phx is *nearly* meaningless THIS season.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by rjt721

My reasoning for SA beating PHX is the Spurs are a much better team. Duncan is fully healthy, unlike when they met two years ago, and he will get the best of Stoudemire. Ginobili does all the things Marion does, only Ginobili can actually shoot. Barbosa will get his points, but he will have to work like never before against Bowen. The key to the series will be Tony Parker. He will get into the lane at will against Nash and either score himself, or set up Duncan for an easy two. Nash is great, but he's not the same player when he has to work for 40 min. on the defensive end.

The Spurs defense is the best in the league and can defend the pick and roll, PHX's primary weapon, like no other team.

Spurs in 6.

You make some very nice pts. Extremely good pts actually.

One thing you don't talk about though is the difference in HUNGER between the two teams. Human nature is to not desire something you've already achieved.

How many rings have the Pistons won since forming their great team? Just 1.

How many rings for Miami? Just 1.

San Antone has 2 rings with the current group, I give them credit for that. But no way, no how is Tony Parker as hungry as Steve Nash. No Spur is as hungry as any of the Suns are.

When you get two teams of incredibly high level matching up, the HUNGER FACTOR makes the difference.

2004 Detroit wins, they were hungrier than the Lakers.
2005 San Antone wins, they were hungrier than the Pistons
2006 Miami wins, they were hungrier than East Conf rival Detroit

2006 West Conf Semis - Dallas was hungrier than San Antone.

etc, etc, etc.

The HUNGER FACTOR makes the difference when we start getting deep in the playoffs.

rjt721 · 04-30-07, 04:41 PM

You make some good points as well gridiron. I disagree with your point on Dallas though. I don't see how Dallas beating SA on the road in Game 7 has anything to do with this series. Dallas is a much better defensive team than PHX and the Mavs simply match-up better with the Spurs than PHX does. Regardless, PHX/SA will be a great series. Let's just agree to disagree.

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 04:48 PM

RJ, my point is that I believe the Spurs are on the DECLINE.

The Mavs were on the INCLINE last season. I believe the Suns are on the incline this season.

You obviously know a ton about NBA basketball, and I will give you props if the Spurs, who I really feel are on the decline, can overcome a hungry, hot Phoenix team who has the HC advantage.

The only way I will make an excuse is if there is a major injury to Nash or Stoudamire. Anyone else on Phx gets hurt and I believe they can still pull through.

SA-Phx will be the West Conf Finals imo, even though it is in the semis. It will be an exciting, fun-filled series with tons of drama.

But in the end, I see the Suns using their HC advantage to pull through in Game 7 of a classic series. That, in my mind, will catapult them through to the NBA Finals where they will finally get their ring.

The good thing is, all of you Spurs backers know where to find me. I'll be right here in the forums waiting for my praise -- or waiting to give praise to all of you!

Don't be a stranger buddy -- I'll be looking for you in about 2 weeks :-)

austintx05 · 04-30-07, 05:45 PM

cleveland in the finals would be a joke and a disaster...

gridironguy · 04-30-07, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by austintx05

cleveland in the finals would be a joke and a disaster...

That's what people said about Miami last season. All they did was win the Eastern Conf and then dismantle the Mavs in the Finals.

Don't forget that Cleveland took Detroit to 7 games before succumbing at Detroit in the final game of the Eastern Conf semis.

Said Detroit team went 64-18 in the reg season last year and was the #1 seed in the East Conf.

Lebron is growing up year after year, and now, in his 4th league, I believe he and his team are ready to rock and roll all to the Eastern conf finals.

After Detroit and Chicago battle for 7 games, the winner will be ripe for the taking vs. Cleveland.

austintx05 · 04-30-07, 07:39 PM

well what you need to realize is that Dallas is last years Pistons. Best record in the league, the overall favorite and now struggling. Detroit was supposed to win it all, the hype of the record, the way they beat teams and lo and behold Cavs wear them out in 7 and Miami steamrolls them. Dallas is in this same situation, cakewalk reg season and now playoffs are hurting them. Well Detroit has not had an easy season, which prepares them for the playoffs. There is no expectation for them to win it all like last year. Cavs have a LeBron and a bunch of rejects...its basically the Lakers of the East. I think in time, Cavs could get Bron some help to strengthen the team, but the only thing I see is Stern wanting a better product and he feels Kobe's run is over and now its time for the Magic/Jordan aka Wade/James product. I see Detroit/Cleveland in a hard fought series of 6-7 games, I just see Detroit prevailing in the end.

DrunkenLullaby · 05-01-07, 12:18 AM

Keep in mind that somebody's gonna have to go Jeff Gillooly on Robert Horry in order to beat the Spurs.

Unreal this guy is. Just unreal.

DrunkenLullaby · 05-07-07, 12:22 AM

Originally posted by DrunkenLullaby

For all Nash does on offense, he's just as big a defensive liability.

It's one of the bigger travesties in sports history that this guy has won multiple MVPs. If they only kept a "plus/minus" stat similar to hockey, the world would see....but until then, they will believe that what he does on one end of the court is enough.

jjgold · 05-07-07, 06:27 AM

Same old Suns, can't bring it home. A very good team but they do not get the ball inside enough.

crackerjack · 05-07-07, 08:38 AM

Suns = Disappointment. I grew up in Arizona and have always loved the Suns and they never fail to disappointment. Same with the NFL's Cardinals I guess, but they always suck. At least the Suns give you some hope and then rip it away...

SBR_John · 05-07-07, 09:54 AM

Suns played a good game. But some folk dont want to give the devil his due.

The Spurs beat them and they didnt even play their best. The Spurs bench was a complete no-show. SA did a good job of resting the starters and keeping it close until the starters could get back out there with 4 min left.

The Suns will make changes defensively and be better the rest of the way.

The real problem for the Suns is if they go into a little scoring slump they are going to get run out of the gym because they cant stop SA.

jjgold · 05-07-07, 11:44 AM

Suns cant play D, Nash is a huge liabality

gridironguy · 05-07-07, 01:35 PM

I'm feeling much more confident about my Cleveland prediction than I am about the Suns right now. I can see the Cavs taking out the Chicago/Detroit winner more than I can see the Suns taking out the Spurs.

It's only been one game, but it's same old, same old for Phoenix.

Razz · 05-07-07, 01:45 PM

The Suns will win Game 2. I originally predicted a Spurs sweep, but after watching the officiating in Game 1, there is no way Phoenix will lose Game 2.

Dark Horse · 05-07-07, 02:24 PM

Was listening to Phoenix radio. A lot of anger towards the refs.

gridironguy · 05-07-07, 11:46 PM

Dark, I have a lot of anger towards their defense, or lack thereof..

DrunkenLullaby · 05-08-07, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by gridironguy

Dark, I have a lot of anger towards their defense, or lack thereof..

That's like getting angry at a fish for not riding a bicycle. This team has never had any interest in trying to play defense, so they can't when they have to....and Nash couldn't guard Stephen Hawking in a locked closet.

gridironguy · 05-08-07, 01:31 AM

Fish cannot ride bicycles, but if the Colts can shore up their defense then so can the Suns, don't you think?

Defense is about desire more than it is X's and O's. If they cared more about defense, they would win in the playoffs. But, from where they stand, they made the West Semis 2 yrs ago with no defense, and made the West Finals last year with no defense. So, they figure this is the year that they get to the NBA Finals with no defense.

I figured the same thing when I filled out my playoff bracket in a pool and I apparently I was wrong. I don't feel very confident that they can do the right things on defense to win this series now.

rjt721 · 05-08-07, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by DrunkenLullaby

It's one of the bigger travesties in sports history that this guy has won multiple MVPs. If they only kept a "plus/minus" stat similar to hockey, the world would see....but until then, they will believe that what he does on one end of the court is enough.

I made a huge bet on SA winning this series, so I'm hardly a PHX backer, but you're way too harsh on Nash. Everyone knows defense isn't a strength of his, but he's still a great player. The Suns would be in the lottery without him. There's no shame in losing to the Spurs, who are clearly the class of the league.

DrunkenLullaby · 05-08-07, 01:53 AM

He runs an offense better than anyone in the league, but I just think it's a joke to give an MVP to somebody who's among the worst at their position on defense.

Can you picture Ben Wallace or Camby ever being considered for MVP? To me, it's no more ridiculous than having this guy win.