I'm hoping it's the Spurs in 7 tough games. We can take either, but I think we are psyched out by the Suns.
just gotta love how Spurs fans think. We are talking about *this* year, dude. Don't try to give me no history lesson, and don't waste your reply by trying to argue with me. You aren't changing my mind, so move on. You'll be typing at thin air and boring everyone. btw: I guess Duncan never had a questionable MVP, or two. MVPs mean nothing. If they did, Jordan would have at least 6 and Shaq would have more than one.
I'm going for PHX. I need someone to finally prove that defense doesn't always win championships. I promise it will happen eventually
...when there ARE no defenses anymore, it will happen. You are in luck, btw. It ain't that far off. In the meantime, the Spurs, Pistons, Rockets and Bulls can divide up the rings.
I hope Spurs win because the Rockets will have a better chance of making it to the Finals (and beating the Cavs) if the Suns are eliminated.
This isn't a repeat of 2 years ago. Not in stars or role players. Amare is different (not as explosive, but a better range and probably smarter on both ends), Duncan is lesser (still great but not as dominant), Manu is lesser (not as athletic/explosive), Parker is better (more consistent, smarter as a PG), Nash is the same (maybe even better/more assertive in his own game). Where Phx is better is their role players are better and they are deeper around their key 3. Instead of JJohnson (who has an excellent all around player, but who got injured), Q (gunner who really wasn't that good), Jimmy J (OK but we know his limits) and Hunter (major offensive/floor intelegence liability) they have Bell (great spot up shooter and super wing defender), Barbosa (great spot up shooter and open floor finisher), Diaw (good all around player), Thomas (smart/quality all around vet on both ends) and Jones (nothing special, but doesn't hurt them much either). This Phx team is deeper, smarter and has a lot better individual defenders to put out there. Now I would argue SA's role players are not as good. Horry can't play as long and do as much as he used to. Nazr was also tougher on defense and rebouding than any other big they have now besides Duncan. Bowen and Barry are just older too, Barry has really been dropped. So overall Phx is a better playoff team than they were and SA I think is a little worse. Is it enough to change the 4-1 outcome for the Spurs to a Phx win? I think so, yes. I won't say this with a ton a confidence, but I think Phx extra athleticism, depth and individual defenders (Bell to put on Manu, Marion/Diaw/Thomas/Amare to share on Duncan) will be enough. Also, we saw SA chew up Denver because they made the 4th and 5th option try to beat them and they failed miserably (Blake, Smith, Kleiza, Najera). With Bell, Barbosa, Jones, Thomas and Diaw taking those shots--much dicer proposition to the Spurs. So I'll say the Suns in 7. But I'll tell you who could change things, Finley and Horry. If those gives continue to drain 3s and hold up OK defensively man to man--that is a very tough team to beat. But I am sticking with the Suns winning this series and winning it all.
Spurs in 6 is my bet. Spurs, much like the Warriors, will win either game 1 or 2 in Phoenix and protect homecourt from there on out.
Both teams are excellent road teams loaded with lots of veterans. IMO the road means more to players/teams with less playoff experience--Jazz, Rockets, Warriors, etc. A single home loss will not doom either team. I don't think a Pistons home loss dooms them either. The Pistons, Suns and Spurs are all capable of beating anyone on the road on a good day.
Spurs in 6. The Spurs are proven champions, and they play like it in playoff time. They never panic, never waver, and always stick to their game plan whether they're 20 up or 20 down. And they always manage to eventually grind their opponents back into the type of game the Spurs want to play. Small ball has had it's most successful year this year, but I won't be convinced it is capable of winning a championship until they actually do it.
man the spurs didn't even have duncan, park, or ginobili on the court the last 3 minutes of the 1st quarter and didn't really lose much on the scoreboard (and if vaughn wasn't so crappy might've gained). they have so much discipline and talent. but bowen is getting lit up by nash. granted, it's the same story where he's always single covered b/c of the suns offense and you can't help out, but still i thought bowen would do better.
Man, Nash's cut is bleeding like Niagra Falls. It's a shame, he may not make it back in because of it.
Will they PLEASE stop showing Steve Nash's nose... Freaking Disgusting. Blood Everywhere, looks like he got shot in the nose.
DAMN what happend to his nose? i just turned on the tv and theres nash looking like he got hit with a hammer...
man, what did parker's head do to nash's nose? has anything ever kept bleeding like this? battier's head would've stopped bleeding faster.
