Up Against It
Dirk came through; Nash didn’tWe said it a couple days ago in our NBA Hit List player ranking: “These next two games is where we’ll see what kind of leader (Steve) Nash is. Right now you can’t tell if this is his team or Shaq’s.” So what happened in last night’s Suns/Spurs game? Nash had 7 points and 9 assists, while Tony Parker had 41 and 12 in a Spurs blowout. That’s FORTY-ONE points. After Game 2 Nash, like everyone else, said Phoenix needed to do something to keep Parker and Manu Ginobili out of the lane. This time they did what they could, hanging back on the pick-and-roll and giving up open jumpers, but Parker kept making them. Over and over and over again, until the Suns played him close and he darted into the paint for his usual high-percentage buckets … If any team has the talent and the system to come back from an 0-3 deficit, it’s the Suns. But they’re not exactly renowned for their resiliency and mental toughness, and now the home fans are even booing them. Having to win four in a row will take some truly beastly performances by Amare and Shaq, not to mention a Herculean feat of whining and ref-baiting by Mike D’Antoni. His head might explode before that happens … Did you see the “Wired” segment on D’Antoni that consisted of him screaming “Let’s go!” at his guys about 39 different times? Interestingly it happened on the same day some Arizona newspapers were bringing up the question of whether the coach’s job is on the line in this series. Would a new coach come in and change the system that’s bought Phoenix so many regular-season wins but (what seems inevitable now) year after year of running into a brick wall in the postseason? And how could that new coach find ways to hide Nash on defense while still utilizing his offensive brilliance? … No one’s gonna talk about it or put it on YouTube since there wasn’t any post-dunk posing, flexing or screaming, but did you see Tim Duncan (23 pts, 10 rebs) crown Amare off that pick-and-roll? Naturally, TD reacted as if he’d hit a first-quarter free throw and simply ran back of defense … Whatever you thought of Jacque Vaughn’s NBA prospects when he came out of Kansas (the kid was nice on the college level), we’re guessing it didn’t involve visions of Jacque being put into a playoff game specifically to foul a 7-foot-2, 340-pounder on purpose as soon as the behemoth crossed half court … Meanwhile in Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki was facing the same “man up” scenario as Nash, only he delivered when his team needed him most. Dropping 32 points, pulling down 19 boards and handing out 6 assists, Dirk led the way in a statement win over the Hornets … Avery Johnson finally rescued Jason Kidd from Chris Paul and gave the assignment to Jason Terry, who reached back into his University of Arizona closet and found that lockdown defender he used to be. All of a sudden CP (16 pts, 10 asts) wasn’t getting into the paint at will, and when he did make his way there, his shots weren’t falling. He finished 4-for-18. And you have to love Terry (22 pts, 6 asts, 2 stls) for getting up in Paul’s face after CP leveled Dirk on one play. Obviously one of the Hornets’ strategies for this series was to try and punk Dirk and watch his whole team collapse, but Jet wasn’t standing for it. And before you ask, “Where was he when David West mafia-slapped Dirk in the face?” ask yourself if you’d be quicker to run up on 6-9, 240-pound David West or normal-guy-sized Chris Paul … Speaking of West, he couldn’t get it going early and never recovered. If you’ve seen the Hornets’ best performances this year, it’s typically those nights where West puts up big numbers in the first quarter. Last night he was still getting those wide open looks from mid-range, but nothing was going down for him (6-for-20 FGA, 14 pts) … Ever since 2004 the tendency has been to attribute every Pistons win or loss in the playoffs only to them; either we say Detroit played up to their potential and won, or slacked off/got lazy and lost. Forget that. Last night the Sixers WON that game. Andre Miller busted up the Detroit backcourt for 21 points, The Dalembeast went for 22 points and 16 boards inside, and Philly served up a 20-piece nugget to a Pistons group that looked dead inside. The Sixers were fast-breaking, picking off passes, playing physical ball (Antonio McDyess got his nose broken) and swarming the glass. If only they weren’t tossing passes into the stands and dribbling the ball off their feet here and there, it would have been an all-out clinic … Andre Iguodala is putting himself in a strange position for when it becomes contract time this summer. On one hand, he’s The Man on a team that’s threatening to pull of a huge postseason upset and played like The Man when the Sixers needed to wrap up their playoff spot. But at the same time, the Sixers have won playoff games where Iguodala was somewhere between non-factor and detriment — in Game 3 he committed six turnovers and shot 2-for-9 from the field. This would be pretty scary for Philly fans if Billy King was still running the show, but we think Ed Stefanski can tell what’s real and judge Iguodala’s merits intelligently … Before Friday’s decisive Game 3 of the D-League championship, we got Q & A’s with the Idaho Stampede’s Luke Jackson and Josh McRoberts, who both talked about life in the minors as compared to life in the NBA. By the end of the night, those two were hoisting the trophy after the Stampede beat the Austin Toros. Mike Taylor scored 27 for Idaho and Cory Violette had 22 and 14 boards, while Andre Barrett scored 29 for the Toros in the loss. Jackson put up 8 points, 7 boards and 10 dimes for the Stampede and McRoberts had 10 points and 5 rebounds … And maybe because of what he’s seen McRoberts go through in his short NBA tenure, Tyler Hansbrough decided to stay at North Carolina for his senior year. Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, however, are gonna test the Draft waters … We’re out like Phoenix’s hope …
April 26th, 2008 at 3:28 am
What is this!? says:
The sun is about to set in Pheonix. Stick a fork in them…their done. People always count the Spurs out, and here they are again, handeling business when need be. Go Timmy!!
LOL @ Detroit if they let the Sixers win one more game. They seem to be sleepwalking right about now. I thought it would be a backwards sweep, but now that I look at it, the Sixers are one of those teams that actually match up pretty well with the Pistons. They are not a better team, duh, but they match up well. I don’t think they will win the serious..but they will give Detroit a little bit of a fight though. This will be good for Detroit, to have a little fight on the road to facing Boston.
Well, the Mavs finally woke up. I’m still not sure who’s going to win this series though….NEXT!
April 26th, 2008 at 3:39 am
Big Sia says:
TONY PARKER IS A G AND A HALF
GINOBILI IN 5
On the real though, the spurs are looking very good. If Bynum doesn’t come back / returns to be a non-factor, i think we’re looking at a Spurs Boston final.
Unless Illa Delph pulls some crazy shit
April 26th, 2008 at 4:16 am
s says:
Thats it – I’m done as a Suns fan. Every year, the same old shit.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:27 am
foscheezeeee says:
I think we are starting to see how valuable Marion was to the Suns system over the years. They are still a good team, but he did so much for them and they are paying the price now. In contrast, the Spurs are really good too, so I will give them their props.
I think the Mavs win this series, Terry did a great job on Paul by making him work harder for buckets. I know it’s not college ball and teams don’t guard full court in the league..but I think you gotta try to wear Paul down by picking up further away from the basket, he does EVERYTHING for that team so you gotta try to wear him down and body him when he comes in the paint.
On another note, Josh Howard gotta step up, he been brick laying for about the last two months and is key for the Mavs, when he is playing well they are very tough to beat.
I hate to say, because Billups is one of my fav PG’s, but I think he is declining right now in his career. Andre Miller is controlling this series right now and outplaying Billups on both ends. Sixers might acutally win this series
April 26th, 2008 at 4:29 am
rootsradical says:
yeah^^^ the spurs cheat to win. same old shit.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Ian says:
lol
bye bye suns
what is the excuse this year?
this was nashs last elite season he is not as bad as kidd but damn hes getting abused
next series to all the people who think paul is the best by far sorry parker will own the series also
youngfed
sorry man cant help myself
DEEEEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHA
April 26th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Ian says:
another thing
this is sweep number 7 for shaq
damn
April 26th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Damon says:
haha, josh howard gotta be the dumbest person in the nba.
how can you discuss your marijuana use in a radio show?
unbelievable
April 26th, 2008 at 4:41 am
What is this!? says:
Oh I forgot to say this…Andre Iguodala deserves a decent contract, but nothing over the top…because despite what he or some Philly fans might think, he’s not “the second coming of AI” and is not a franchise player. Andre Miller seems to be playing far better then he did in Denver (Denver seems to suck the energy out of people). But that team is still ended the season 2 games below .500 in the East. I mean lets keep it real.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:48 am
foscheezeeee says:
@ what is this
The difference is that the Sixers are a younger team and played much better during the 2nd half of the season, so their record can trick you. Denver has much more talent and (Martin,Iverson,Camby) all been to the finals before. and in truth I don’t know that Denver would beat Philly in a 7 game series right now
April 26th, 2008 at 5:09 am
What is this!? says:
@ foscheezeeee
The fact still remains that they ended the season under .500. They could be better next season, yes, or they could be like the Chicago Bulls this season. No one knows. And the fact still remains, Andre I. is not a franchise player. Gilbert Arenas was right about that. You take Andre Miller off this team with his play making abilities and they are screwed.
Iverson led almost that same group of players to a better record and the playoffs the season before he got traded, and all some fans did was complain. It would have been nice for them to have traded for a quality PG like Miller to pair with Iverson in the backcourt when they traded away Eric Snow. Maybe if they made the proper trades for the proper players, Iverson never would have left. That team would be far more dangerous because they would always have a for sure go-to guy.
Also, I think people are getting a little too ahead of themselves. Yes, I like what Philly is doing and hopefully they can continue it on into next season…but although things look tight now, Detroit is not going to lose this series. And no, the Sixers wouldn’t beat Denver in a 7 game series, you’re just being disrespectful now, LOL! Denver blew them out the first time and Philly barely won the second (and even then the refs screwed Denver on a goal tend call).
April 26th, 2008 at 5:16 am
What is this!? says:
Also, my original post wasn’t even about Denver vs Philly, so i’m not even sure where you even got that from. The only thing I said is that Andre Miller seems to be playing better in Philly then in Denver, which is true… I think it has a lot to do with the fact that in Philly the expectations aren’t as high so he has nothing to lose. Either way, i’m glad he is playing better there.
April 26th, 2008 at 5:25 am
foscheezeeee says:
Can’t disagree with you about that. I know that Andre I is not a franchise player. You could make the argument that out of all 16 teams in the playoffs, Philly is the only team w/o a franchise player. I don’t attribute all Denver’s problems to their players, I think GK is doing a terrible coaching job with that team. That team should be a top 3-4 team in the West given their talent level. Don’t sleep on Philly though, Detroit ain’t what they used to be, and like a lot of people said on this site- they only have 1 chip, and that was 4years ago. It hasn’t been all that tough to get through the Eastern conference the last few seasons
April 26th, 2008 at 5:29 am
foscheezeeee says:
Yeah, I misinterpreted what you said. Either way, I needed to get that off my chest about Enver….lol.
April 26th, 2008 at 5:48 am
What is this!? says:
foscheezeeeee
Don’t even get me started about Denvers Coach. LOL! Coach Karl has got to go. He is a good Coach, but just not the right Coach for the team anymore. Denver has a good record, but they haven’t reached their potential, like you said they have the ability to be a top 5 team in the league. But if they don’t make it out the 1st round again this year (which is very likely) Coach Karl needs to be the first one shown the door. Because thats too much talent to just be wasted. Their record shows that they have a great group of players that can get things done together, they just need that extra something to take them over the top. And that extra something is a new identity and Coach.
Anyhow, yeah the Pistons look like they are the ones doing the sleeping. LOL! I’m not sleeping on Philly, because they do match up well with the Pistons, but I just don’t think the Pistons will lose this series is all. I still feel like the Pistons are still a top team and are what they were in 2004, their record says so. And they have been a constant in the Eastern conferense finals since then. But you know what I really wonder? I wonder if Ben Wallace regrets not staying in Detroit now? Thats what I really wonder.
April 26th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Damon says:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/041908dnspohowardsider.3c2e27c.html
…..
April 26th, 2008 at 7:13 am
for real says:
the Suns only hope is if Larry Brown coaches them next year
April 26th, 2008 at 7:18 am
kobeef says:
@What is this and Forcheezee
Thad Young is not getting the minutes but he is doing as much for the sixers as Iggy in this series. Also, people who bash Billy King (Dime) really should calm down. He put this sixers team together and got fired too soon.
The sixers have a Ton of salary cap space, lots of young talent, good players at the hard to fill postions (Miller at PG and the Beast at C) and all of the players come to work. I can think of a few NBA teams that would swap rosters with the sixers in a heartbeat………
- The Suns would probably be the first on the list to roster swap with the Sixers. They are the polar opposite of the sixers on the court and on paper. The Suns salary cap is screwed for the next two seasons, their starting PG and C are old and looking very washed up (as they pull in a combined $35 million a year) and the rest of the team are role players.
I said this when the Suns made the Shaq trade, but it is going to be sad to watch Amare waste the prime years of his career with this middling bunch of players.
D’Antoni should not be to blame for this mess. Kerr should be axed the minute the series ends b/c he possibily pulled off the second worst trade in NBA history. Ironically, the worst trade in NBA history might be when Shaq’s sidekick Kobe was traded for Vlade Divac.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Smitty313 says:
Andre Miller didn’t look for his own shot that much in Denver. But he still played good in Denver.
Damn what happened to Detroit.
Damn what happened to Phoenix. They are getting smashed. They always lose to the Spurs in the playoffs but not like this. The games use to be close games. The Suns are better at the run adn gun offense, they can’t do that with Shaq on the team. Plus Pops is going to hack a Shaq defense every game.
Do you all think Denver will come out and play or will they talk shit to Kobe and get blasted again. I know J.R. Smith will continue to talk shit he’s to Dumb to know when to stop. Carmelo is going to go hard on offense rest on Defense. Kenyon is going to play hard. A.I. will play hard also but it wont be enough. A.I. will probably hate Melo as a basketball player when he’s donr with Denver.
Carmelo is starting to look like a draft bust to me. He doesn’t seem to be getting any better. It might be George Karls fault. But Lebron and D-Wade at least have improved their D since they been in the NBA. You never see Melo asking to gaurd Kobe. They say Melo is the best player on Team USA, but it’s all offense. Carmelo has to much talent around him to never have made it out of the first round. He better be glad he didn’t get drafted by Detroit, because if he played defense like that for Detroit he would ride the pine.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Prof. TX says:
The Suns traded their soul to Miami. Yeah, Marion had an ego and a big paycheck, but he was what made the team work as well as it did. I can’t see last year’s Suns being in this same position if they were playing against this Spurs team (ignoring that both teams would somehow have Thomas).
It’s strange to say it, but it looks like Shaq has the longest string of playoff losses right now. Who else in the league has this many postseason L’s in a row?
April 26th, 2008 at 8:03 am
GayforRudy says:
Unfortuanatley the Suns are fucked. I wouldn’t be shocked if they manage to pull their collective heads out of their asses and get one win and go out in 5. This get in the penalty and then foul Shaquille for the the rest of the quarter stuff is horse shit. The Suns are a fun team to watch but not when Shaq goes to the line SEVENTEEN times.
If you were Shaq, wouldn’t you have started shooting your free throws underhanded at some point in your career? Sure he’d look like a jerk off but who cares? The guy could say it was a “tribute” to Wilt at least.
April 26th, 2008 at 8:22 am
the_don_mega says:
now that’s a basketball clinic…
spurs just gave it to them suns…
i think this would’ve been a better series if marion was still in the mix…
say what u want bout him but he’s the only one that gave parker some fix in the past…
i aint a suns fan but its damn real hard to watch them get smacked by the spurs…
i guess the game 1 loss really took a toll on ‘em…
if dallas wins game 4, it’s gonna be a series…
detroit is a mess…
i dunno what’s wrong with ‘em…
flip’s gonna get axed soon…
April 26th, 2008 at 8:53 am
rangerjohn says:
“April 26th, 2008 at 4:29 am
rootsradical says:
yeah^^^ the spurs cheat to win. same old shit.”
so explain to me exactly how the spurs cheated?
did they pay off the refs? did they pay the suns to miss shots? did they change the score at the scorers table while nobody was looking?
April 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am
SAS Sizzle says:
EXCUSES…ARE…FUTILE
I have been saying this since the Suns blamed last year on Horry: They lose to the Spurs because THEY PLAY NO DEFENSE. Esp. Stoudemire. So you can chalk up this year to Hack-a-Shaq all you want, but you Suns fans hailed the guy and then you discover his liabilities and want to make more excuses. His free-throw shooting is as bad as his pick-and-roll defense.
Nice picture of Tony Parker today by the way, guy has the most dominant game of his career and we get to see Dork Neanderthal gracing the column. For the love of HASSELHOFF!
About Detroit, they get knocked out of last year’s playoffs by a team that gets SWEPT in the Finals by a real contender, I think they have been done since Horry’s Game 5 in ‘05. Youngfed, now would be the time they throw that proverbial “switch”, yeah? COMPLACENCY is a mother.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:04 am
SAS Sizzle says:
Oh and about Josh Howard, dumb dumb move, BUT…
We know half the cats in the L puff the ganja anyway, it just goes unspoken. I would actually be more surprised and shocked if he admitted to smoking cigarettes.
Alcohol and tobacco/nicotine are way worse drugs. But you know, since they are TAXED they are socially acceptable. Both of those have a way higher mortality rate than weed. How many dudes have you heard killed a family on the highway from smoking too much weed? How many cancer victims are attributed to smoking marijuana?
OK no more soapbox for me today.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
word says:
damn McDyess got his nose broke? didn’t realize it was that bad. and Philly stand up. Big win. Dalembeast was serious.
I didn’t know Lawson is going into the draft, he should’ve stayed with Hansborough and went for the title.
suns are fucked.
SAS sizzle yea I agree Howard is a idiot for saying that, why would he say that now?
April 26th, 2008 at 9:24 am
ballz says:
After yet another abysmal Suns performance, I am reduced to a shell of my former self. I feel like I’m at an AA meeting, so here’s where I start: My name is ballz, and I’m a recovering Suns addict. First off, my dude Nash stunk up the joint last night. He doesn’t look to shoot. That was ok when he was surrounded by Matrix, Joe Johnson, etc., but with this current lot of (gulp) OFFENSIVELY CHALLENGED Suns, he needed to step up, not step back.
@ #4, you’re on point wit Marion. It’s not only that they traded a top-ten defender, a top-5 finisher on the break and a good spot up shooter, it’s also who they replaced him with. At this point in his career, Shaq is just sad. He would be a decent back up center for 15 minutes a night right now, if that. At least when guys like Jordan and Kareem aged they could still beat you with their mind, their finesse, and their go-to move (i.e. the fadeaway and the sky hook). Shaq never developed a go-to move other than the dunk, and now that he can barely touch the rim, that’s no longer an option. He is the worst (big man) defender of the screen & roll in the history of the game (we could say that even when he had his athletic ability), and there’s no point in even mentioning the ft line. I been a fan of the Daddy since he was running with Chris Jackson and Stanley Roberts, but it’s over. Shaq officially HURTS his team when he’s on the floor.
The Suns counted on Grant Hill’s health to hold up…STUPID! They counted on the ambiguously gay duo (Diaw & Leo) to come through when it counts…STUPID! Bottom line: they sold their soul with the Shaq trade. We fell in love with the run & gun, three point shooting free-wheeling suns. This team walks up it up the floor and has one reliable shooter.
The saddest thing is what this team could’ve been. They were going to be the team that finally showed the world that it didn’t take ugly, grind it out ball to win it all. Think about what they could’ve been: They let Joe Johnson walk, they SOLD THE FUCKING DRAFT RIGHTS to Rondo & Deng, and let Kurt Thomas walk. Imagine if they’d had a Cubanesque spender and trotted out Nash, Johnson, Marion, Deng & Amare, with Rondo & Barbosa coming off the pine. Speed thrilling and killing at every spot.
Must go now. Must cry. I’m out like J-Ho’s rolling papers.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:28 am
SAS Sizzle says:
Oh yeah that was a crazy sequence in the Philly game, I was sure Dime would mention it. Within a span of about 3 minutes McDyess gets his ish busted (he didn’t get smashed in the face, but caught juuust right by an upward swipe) and then Thad Young gets body checked in the air by Maxiell and goes to the locker room with a bloody nose also; it was eerie. McDyess’ was much worse, he was bleeding on the court pretty gruesome.
It mos def gave the game a weird vibe and then Philly just stamped those guys out. Iggy is the focus of Detroit’s D in this series, right? Can’t blame him for not getting loose on Prince and the Detroit gameplan really, those guys still know how to play good team D for the most part. But they either looked sick of playing with each other, or maybe for that coach.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:33 am
fallinup says:
Can you hear that? What’s that sound? Oh no, it isn’t. It’s the Spurs opening game introductions being televised during the finals!!! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
“Ya’ll ready for this! Da-Da Da Duh Duh, Duh Duh Duh Duh, Da-Da Da Da Da Da Da.”
Are the Spurs clicking or what?
April 26th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Big Mike says:
It’s amazing how the announcers/media say things like the Suns could cover or hide Nash when Marion was there. Why not say he needs to step up his D and stop being one dimensional. Everyone gloats(suck his Jock) when he is throwing lobs and making simple passes but refuse to say anything when he is getting lit up. They blast Carmelo about his D all the time. I guess Nash is the great white/canadian hype. Suns franchise is Done.
Sound Off!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
foscheezeeee says:
Big Mike, very good point. Nash is a terrible defender, but it hardly ever gets used as a knock against him. I think he is tough though, and since he is more unselfish than Melo, he gets a pass.
I would hate to see the Spurs in the finals, but that would be good to see KG vs TD. And I think Rondo can hang with TP (at least slow him down a little). But everyone wanna see Lakers-Celts deep down (except for me: Mavs-Celts). But that ain’t gonna happen
April 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
ash says:
32pts and 19boards?? but but dirk is soft. are you sure u got that stat line correct? 19 boards?
April 26th, 2008 at 10:23 am
GEE..Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouf! says:
Houston up! (Houston at least 1 won thus far)
LOL fallinup! I am with you on the nooooooooo to that intro.
The Suns have no answer and honestly I don’t think any team can have one when you back up and give jumpers and they drop them and you play close and they get runners on you.
Outside of prolonging the game and fouling everyone (hard) to shake them up and send them to the line, I don’t see what they could have done.
Right now their best bet is to hope for a bad night.
The was getting served before Manu even got on the scene!
Dallasssss! Yeaaa good to see Jet getting up in CP’s grill. I think it was Rampage Jackson’s coach that said the reason he beat Chuck Liddell twice is because Chuck had never been fought before.
You got to fight a bully or someone serving you up even on the court. You got to let them know you can score, you can play D and if you thought this was gone be easy think again.
Dallas did that and it was good to see.
Who would have ever thought the Suns would be 0-3 while Houston has at least gotten 1 on one of the hardest courts ever.
I know somewhere Young fed has to be hurting. I feel for dude really. It’s one thing to take an L when you team is like mine (Houston). Main players hurt, best Star now what he used to be and roll players having trouble. When your team has all the parts though and really don’t have no particular reasons to fall. Man it’s tough to take losses then homey.
Shiii I remember when Boston beat Houston when they had the twin towers (Sampson and Dream), I was just hurting. It’s hard to take L’s when you squad is suppose to win.
Right now I am thinking Nash plays the most horrid D I have ever seen from a starting all-star guard. I mean it’s really bad. Effort shmeffort dude seemingly just can’t do it on D. It’s like on O he is so good at seeing the floor and all but on D it’s like his brain cells take off, till it’s time to go back on O.
Stephen A. said this (suns / spurs) will be a sweep. He very well might be right.
The refs really took Shaq out of his free-throws with that first lane violation. I agree with the announcer if you not going to call that all year, why now in the playoffs.
I hate that Hack a Shaq stuff. Granted he should make his shots, but to me that just aint right when he don’t even got the ball.
I really was looking forward to Suns/Spurs but now …not so much.
2’s coming!
April 26th, 2008 at 11:01 am
QQ says:
I picked the Suns to win the series because I hate the Spurs. Why do I hate them? Because they are so freaking good. And again they showed me why I HATE them: They destroyed the Suns like they were nothing. Literally. They just destroyed the Suns. Oh boy, were they good.
As for the Suns, where do they go from here? Shaq sucks, they never win in the playoffs (well, not the way they’re supposed to… What now?
April 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
nick says:
suns really miss marion right now. plus the injured grant hill doesn’t help considering he is a solid defender who can guard either manu or parker but with him injured its just even worse for the suns.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:43 am
BxBaller says:
The Suns are done. HAHAHAHA. I can’t wait to see that whiny face of D’Antoni trying to explain why they got knocked off in the first round. I thought that the reason they got Shaq was to contest with Duncan in the playoffs. Guess what Suns fans? IT’S NOT WORKING. Every year they regress in the playoffs. In 06 they lost in the conference finals, 07 they lost in the semifinals, this year they are more than likely gonna lose in the first round. I expect this team to be gutted next summer, and start fresh. Oh yeah did anyone see bitch ass Dampier push CP3 in the back near the end of the game? Then he looked at him like he was trying to intimidate someone. Where was he at when Dirk was getting slapped up?
April 26th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Celts Fan says:
The Suns are getting what they deserve. It’s incredibly unfortunate to the players, but that ownership group has been selling off draft picks and players for years now. Oh realy, you don’t have a bench at all and your starters end up getting worn down throughout the season cuz you play them too much? Wonder why…
It’s incredibly ironic to see Kurt Thomas stepping up and being a huge factor in this series against them. They essentially gave him away for a 2nd round pick before the season.
(I know I say this all the time, but it bears repeating as it’s ending their season) This ownership group should be ashamed of themselves, these fans should stop showing up, and Steve Nash should’ve demanded a trade a while ago. This has been incompetance and cheapness that would make Donald Sterling proud and it has cost Phoenix at least one title (let’s be honest, they don’t trade Marion if they had used all their draft picks and won something, and if you add Nate Robinson, Luol Deng, and Rajon Rondo/Marcus Williams (whichever PG they’d've drafted 2 years ago instead of trading it away to the Celtics with Brain Grant’s deal to AGAIN shed payroll, they DEFINITELY would have won a chip by now. I feel 100% confident in saying that.) You make those moves when you’re trying to rebuild, not when you’re in the midst of a 3-5 year window (which by the way, is almost over) where you have a legitimate shot AS ONE OF THE FAVORITES to win a ring. Completely dispicable. Owning a sports team needs to be a fun hobby where you don’t mind spending money, not just a money-making venture. Contrast that to guys like Mark Cuban and Wyc Grosbeck (Celtics owner) who keep taking on payroll in an effort to win because that’s all they want to do. That’s how owners should be. Shit, as dumb as he is, even James Dolan has no problem whatsoever in spending a ton of $$$ on his team, we can laugh at how he’s spent it, but he has no problem spending it at least…
April 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Austin Burton says:
@Big Mike — Nash isn’t gonna step up and become a better defender at 33 years old or whatever he is. At this point he is what he is; when have you ever seen someone improve a skill in their 30s? Everyone knows Nash is an awful defender, I don’t think it’s being hidden.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Celts Fan says:
and Mike D’Antoni being on the hot-seat is fuckin ridiculous. If he gets canned, teams will be lining up around the block to throw $$$ at him. That guy can coach, period. Sure his bench is pretty short, but when you don’t give him one, what choice does he have? sure he’s come up short in the playoffs, but when your 2 best players can only play 1 end of the court, you tend to give up a lot of points.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Celts Fan says:
Austin, I think Mike meant that you could hide him in a defensive scheme when Marion was there to make it less apparent (which is what should be done and great coaching), not that people are trying to hide the fact that he’s a terrible defender. It’s just like you can hide the fact that AI’s not the best on-ball defender cuz Camby’s there to swat shit into the 2nd row when guys get past Iverson. Same type of thing w/ Marion.
btw, Philly is balling right now. Didn’t think they had anything but a sweep in their future. DAMN. I am jumping on that bandwagon. Unfortunately, that bandwagon’s sure to careen off the road and go up in flames. Detroit won’t lose this series, Philly’s just made it more interesting than it had to be…
and Josh Howard, man, just don’t say anything. I smoke too, but I wouldn’t publicize that shit on the radio. Hope he’s not kiddign about only in the offseason, cuz you know he’s gonna be peeing in a cup every day after practice now!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
doc says:
That Sixers game was popping last night.DETROIT SUCKS!Sixers in 5.Iggy aint gotta be a franchise player just make plays on O and D.We dont need a franchise player this year we got HEART.Give somebody like T-Mac Reggie Evans ticker he would’ve been out the 2nd round.Only reason I brung it to him is they said Dirk and Nash need to man up but protect T-Mac every article.They all in the same boat except for Dirk I think he ball hard.And the Spurs ripped the Suns balls off and stomped them last night.That was some perfect b-ball right there.Boring my ass.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Celts Fan says:
na Doc, that shit was boring… cuz it was supposed to be a close game, but only one team showed up.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
rootsradical says:
obviously the spurs aren’t actually cheating. i’m just a bitter observer that has watched them lose to the same fucking team for years. i’m still angry at the suspensions handed out when nash was hip checked by horry. i’m bitter about that series being reffed by a cheater. and i’m angry that i have to watch shaq get fouled by people that were put in to specifically do that job due to a lame strategy employed by the Kings and used by the much more talented Spurs. I just think the Spurs could win without the hack a shaq and i don’t understand that as a fan of the spurs you could find it fun to watch and/or legit when they use hack a shaq.
in reality, the suns will take one or two games, maybe. and then the series will be over and my head can rest for a while and focus my attention on a different series. i don’t think i love any one team as much as i loathe the spurs.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
daquest?on says:
wow the suns are done oh and larry brown is going to the bobcats. in case u dint know
April 26th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
daquest?on says:
GOOOOOOOOOOO DENVERRRRRRR!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
for real says:
everyone one should quit cryin’ about the hack-a-shaq.
Pop does it just to embarass the Suns and make them and Shaq think it all comes down to his free throws, even if it’s with a 20 point lead in the 2nd quarter. It’s a mind game…..and we will only have to witness that ish for one more game anyway
April 26th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
for real says:
I HATE the hack-a-shaq, but Pop knows it’s better to stall the Suns and throw them off of their rhythm, than withstand a 20 point Phoenix run (which they do against most teams at some point).
April 26th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
GEE..Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouf! says:
Pride wise they should really bleed if they have to and get the next one. They are going to have to be up the whole game, especially with the hack a shaq. That way regardless of lane violations or him missing they are still in it.
I am feeling for them because most of the world thought they would do better than this.
Looks like instead of getting Shaq perhaps they should have went after PJ Brown and a guard that can really play D.
I’m just saying…
April 26th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
djKianoosh says:
wow, the word for the night for the Spurs was “FOCUS”. That was a school session in Pick and Roll offense and flawless execution. the spurs are so damn good, it’s scary. when they are clicking, I dont see another team that can stop them. Spurs-Celtics is going to be a hell of a matchup.
As for the Sixers… I want to believe. I really do. I just can’t. I can’t make the leap ya’ll. I just don’t trust Dalembert. He’s always effing around and making at least a few boneheaded plays every game. I know he played well last night, but damn, he’s always doing some bumbling stumbling stupid thing every game. help me believe. I want to! i just have a feeling the pistons will just flip a switch and that’s all she wrote.
April 26th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
K Dizzle says:
Gee
Shaq for Dalembeast right now….but the Sixers management would die laughing. You couldn’t trade Shaq for any of the big guys left in the playoffs right now. Howard, Bosh, Chandler, Gasol, Okur, Horford, Sheed, Camby, Haywood, Z, TD, even Landry, maybe Landry? No, not even Landry
That haq-a-shaq ish still irks me, just seems tacky when you up 20, but I understand why Pop does it, I just don’t gotta like it.
Props to the Suns for takin the best first round series ever and turnin it into a joke, just pitiful. 20 pieced at home? really? I was hopin the Spurs would get some work put on them so whoever comes out that series would be slightly worn down, but now I don’t think it’s goin back to San Antonio. Thank goodness the Sixers are workin with hearts
Oh well. Go raps tonight. If Sam Mitchell maybe gets laryngitis, that could be a win. And of course the MVP is about to show Denver why he’s gettin that award. Ariza’s almost back, hopefully Bynum by round 2 then it’s on.
Peace
April 26th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
doc says:
The Pistons didnt pay the electric bill this month so that switch aint gonna turn shit on.Sixers in 5
April 26th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
daquest?on says:
yo shaq is playing like vintage shaq u cant blame the suns losses 2 shaq, blame it on steve nash 4 not containing tony parker and raja bell whos supposedly a defensive player but cant contain or stop manu ginobilli even though we all know he always GOES LEFT!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
QQ says:
You’re talkin, doc. Philly’s goin to win, and it’s the end for the Pistons pseudo-’dynasty’. (One chip ain’t a dynasty, arrogant motherfuckers)
April 26th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
rangerjohn says:
speaking of the pistons where is youngfed?
he showed after the 1st loss, cant hang after #2 i think he reads the spray paint on the wall.
April 26th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
godfreyallstar says:
oh yuh spurs thats wassup
April 26th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Dennis Castro says:
LET’S GO SIXXXX-ERRRSSSSS!!! I was at the game last night, and it was one of the games I’ll never forget, even though I was somewhat bent…The electricity in the Wachovia Center was something else last night.
Kianoosh, Doc, what up? Believe man, believe. I’ve been saying that good PG play in the playoffs is crucial, and Dre Miller is just flat out out-playing Billups in this series. He’s one of the smartest players in the league.
This team is something else. Mad heart, the exact opposite of this Detroit team.
This is the prime reason why Rasheed isn’t cheered in Phily, because he lacks heart. Like Chuck said, if he wanted to he could be the best player in the league, but his drive isn’t there. And if there’s one thing Philly hates, it’s dudes that have talent but don’t play 100%. And the fact he whines too much.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Ian says:
celts fan
u r right on one thing they might be better if they didnt trade away draft picks
but about winning a chip well maybe they coulda gotten to the finals in 06 the year they played dallas without amare
but every other season they play the spurs they would still lose
to everyone else
no marion would make NO difference in the series has he ever done anything in the playoffs and talk about the most overrated defenders in the nba bell and marion. people say marion can guard anyone well sorry parker and manu score at will against him and when they used him a few times vs duncan he gets destroyed so no i dont see what everyone does with marion he is a non factors vs spurs. now bell LOL my god i only see him play the lakers and spurs but damn manu and kobe play like hes not even there. maybe dantoni should give some playin time to DJ cuz bell isnt working.
spurs vs celts
td vs kg
thats the finals
April 26th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
daquest?on says:
ian ur wrng finals are nuggets vs celtics
April 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Dennis Castro says:
And also, Dime’s right, the Sixers WON that game. F that ish that the Pistons didn’t show up and that’s why they lost.
At some point that lack of aggressiveness becomes what defines this team. A true championship team stays hungry. You think MJ would allow his team to think that they’ve earned the right to coast through games?
April 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
JHov says:
How crazy is it that Shaq is the focal point for everything the Spurs are doing? They can single cover him..no need for a double! They pick and roll to get PHX to switch and then whether its Parker or Manu..they go at Shaq or shoot over him! They go to Hack-a-Shaq and trade two for Shaq’s missed freethrows! I heard when they were told about the trade..the Spurs celebrated! Wow Suns to think you still are on the hook for 20+ million next yr!!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Ian says:
daquest
sorry man how can i forget those defensive monsters
but in the unlikely case that the george karl coached nuggets dont make it i think the spurs can get there
April 26th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
daquest?on says:
hey man u cant blame me for being hopeful.. but i wish the fire george karl and hire larry brown…championshipp
April 26th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Tek says:
Hey Dime, what are you talking about when you say that “If any team has the talent and the system to come back from an 0-3 deficit, it’s the Suns”.
System? What system? The same system that has proven to be ineffective in the playoffs against sturdy opposition such as the Spurs?
Now if you had said “If any team has the talent and the system to run off 13 straight wins in the regular season, it’s the Suns”, then I’d believe you. But the Suns coming back from 3-0 down against the Spurs using their current system? Huh?
April 26th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
skurv says:
the spurs dont do the “yall ready for this?” intro anymore. which, as a diehard spurs fan and lifetime season ticket holder i must say is bullshit. it obviously lost a lot of meaning when avery and we had to stop using the clip of him saying “yall ready for this?” the new intro is gay.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
rangerjohn says:
here you go dime since you dropped the “hate the spurs” youtube vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvJaOvF1AKA&eurl=http://www.alltexasforums.com/showthread.php?t=1204
April 26th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
for real says:
skurv? is that you T.G.???