Hey David Stern, it’s not my fault that you still haven’t figured out how to schedule your playoff games. It’s now 6:45 and the “6:30" Suns/Spurs game still isn’t on. If this Nets/Cavs game goes to overtime, I’ll be forced to go change my oil, which I’ve been successful putting off up to this point. Then I’ll REALLY be pissed!

 

Okay, 6:55 now and still no Suns/Spurs. Where’s my funnel and that oil filter I bought last month?

 

7:00 now, the Cavs/Nets game just ended and, after a couple commercials, I see that I missed three and a half minutes of the Suns/Spurs game. Sorry, your “fashionably late” b.s. isn’t working for me. You should take a page from the NFL, the most successful sports league around. They start their games on time. Yes, even the playoff games. (Well, except for the concert and concurrent 45 minute halftime show during the Super Bowl. Okay, forget what I said).

 

 

Coming into this game, some observations I’ve noticed:

-Kurt Thomas has indeed played Tim Duncan pretty tough. Duncan has hit a lot of very tough shots, which is what makes him Tim Duncan. (Memo to young players-the backboard can be your friend. Learn to use it). I’d like to see the Suns continue to play Duncan straight up with Thomas instead of doubling him.

 

-Contrary to popular belief, the Suns defense has played pretty well. The Spurs have shot just 43% through three games.

-The Suns free throw percentage has been a little off. One of the best FT shooting teams in the regular season(80.8), and in last year’s playoffs as well (83.1), they are shooting just 76.8% in this series. That’s enough to make a difference.

-As for all the back-and-forth bickering about the officiating, I look at it this way: I think the officials call a lot of stuff based on a team or player's reputation, whether they intend to or not. The Spurs have the reputation of a tough defensive team, and therefore are going to get more calls in a physical game. The Suns have never had that reputation, and therefore are not going to get a lot of calls when they are physical, simply because it seems out of the ordinary for them. Much like a big man carrying the ball vs. a point guard doing it. Almost all point guards do it at one time or another, and it's almost never called. When a center does it, it looks so out of the ordinary that a red flag goes up and the officials will call it almost every time.
The fact of the matter, though, is that the team that feels like it's not getting the calls has a much better chance of getting some in the future if they play through it. We could go back and forth about which team whines more, but the fact of the matter is that both teams are doing it too much.

-I still haven’t figured out why D’Antoni hasn’t used his bench more, something I’ve been saying all season. Jalen Rose, for example, has the veteran post-season experience that would no doubt help the Suns. With James Jones having been replaced in the starting line-up by Thomas after game one, Rose would seem to me a natural for grabbing Jones’ minutes. I’m not giving up on Jones yet, but this is about the here and now, and Rose should be playing. Don’t laugh, but the Suns also have a sharp shooter, Eric Piatkowski, sitting on their bench. Like Brent Barry and Robert Horry for the Spurs, Piatkowski offers little more than a long-range presence, which may be effective at times. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been used much at all this season, so who knows how accurate his shot would be. But I would have tried him against Barry or Horry early in the series to get a feel. Okay, enough about that. Let’s get on with it.

 

At 3:08 of the first, (which is one of the first plays I saw in the game-thanks, Mr. Stern, you turd), Ginobili hits an open three. Stay on your man, Suns. Shortly after, Marion goes into the crowd trying to retrieve a loose ball, and has to jump over the cameramen. He landed at the feet of Suns’ owner Robert Sarver. The incident reminded me of the Dennis Rodman incident many years ago, when he fell into the cameramen and kicked one of them on the way back to the court. And Rodman was either fined or suspended for it-maybe both, I don't remember. Far be it for me to ever defend Rodman's actions, but I remember getting into it with a lot of my friends at the time, because I felt that cameramen had no business being that close to the field of play. What would happen if a player falls or trips over one of them and tears up a knee or breaks a leg?

Anyway, Michael Finley, who was drafted by the Suns, hits a long jumper. Hey Suns, stay on your man! With 7:27 to go in the second, Duncan is called for a foul on Nash, which was not a good call. Perhaps it was a makeup call for Duncan shuffling both his pivot feet immediately prior to scoring on the other end. Just a thought.

With Duncan out at 2:17, Barry hits a three. Again, why are you leaving three point shooters open? Who are you doubling, Oberto? Wake the hell up.

 

Spurs lead 45-40 at halftime. One thing I’ve noticed-Nash is playing well for the most part, but he is committing too many turnovers. It’s costing the Suns to this point. Great intensity through the first half, though. I wish all NBA games were like this. Though after listening to the last few minutes of the first half on radio, I wonder why the TV broadcast doesn’t produce the same crowd volume. Also, it would be easy to say that the score indicates a Spurs scoring pace, but the first three games disproved that theory, so it means little at this point. And as I suspected, the officiating hasn’t been an issue so far in the game. As much as we all complain about it, it seldom seems to last more than one game at a time. (Which is no excuse, Stern. It still needs to be fixed. Kind of like your scheduling).

Stoudemire converts a three point play late in the third. That’s crucial. Suns need to get some momentum. And with five seconds left in the quarter, Barbosa dribbles right into traffic and doesn’t get a shot off. Come on, Leandro. Use your head. Third quarter ends with an 80-72 Spurs lead, which I believe was the same score after three quarters in game three.

With 8:57 left in the fourth, there’s a TV timeout, which occurs at the first whistle under nine, six, and three minutes of each quarter. Don’t ask me why. Just think advertising. And the Suns have the “deer in the headlights” look. Not looking good for the Suns, as they trail by nine. But coming out of the TV timeout, Marion hits a three. This is a key point, no, a HUGE point in the game-perhaps even a watershed moment, as Steve Kerr suggested-for the Suns.

 

At 6:54 of the fourth, Ginobili goes down like he’s been shot. But then he did run into Stoudemire, who had position. I can honestly say I’ve just seen the first really bad call of the game. Not to worry, though. Our eyes are on the prize.

 

At 5:10, Finley hits an open jumper. STAY ON YOUR F*****G MAN!! And Nash is still turning it over too much. It’s costly. As I hear the stats on three pointers made, I can’t help but think that the Suns haven’t had as many open looks as the Spurs. Probably because they are not staying at home defensively.

 

Shawn Marion is having a huge fourth quarter, both defensively and on the boards. (Okay, we all know the Suns don’t play any defense. You got me there). And as Sebastian said in “The Little Mermaid”, my nerves are shot! But the Suns are not quite dead yet . . .

 

Marion gets another huge rebound, and the Suns are doubling Duncan just enough on the other end. It’s working out nicely. Could it be?

Holy cow. With 32 seconds left, the Suns have a three point lead. NOW HEAR THIS: STAY AT HOME ON DEFENSE!! Which they did. And even with Nash missing two of four free throws in the last minute, the Suns win. (I’d trade Nash for a high-quality folding chair, since he can’t hit his free throws). Suns win in a way that no one saw coming. Well, almost no one. 

 

Oh, did I mention that Steve Nash went a little overboard with Robert Horry late in the game? Yup, trust me. I saw it. Horry was just minding his own business, running over to defend Nash, and BAM! Nash suddenly tried to bite him in the elbow. Totally uncalled for. Oh sure, Nash flopped into the scorer’s table like a Ginobili out of water, but he didn’t fool me. No sir. I wasn’t born yesterday.

 

As for the possible repercussions mentioned for Stoudemire and Diaw for coming off the bench, I would offer this: Earlier this season, after a game vs. Toronto, Raja Bell was suspended for one game because, in the league's opinion, he "intended" to knee an opposing player, though no contact was actually made. However, in game three, Bowen actually DID make contact with Nash's groin area, and was not suspended. I guess the league decided that Bowen did not actually "intend" for his knee to come in contact with Nash. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture? And when did raising one's knee in the direction of your opponents groin become a "natural basketball move"?

 

Okay, I’ll move on. If Horry’s move tonight results in a suspension for any Suns player, does that mean the age of the enforcer is back? You know, like back in the ‘70s when a player would get a little overly physical with an opponents star in hopes of getting the star, or other teammates, out of the game, or a subsequent game? I guess we’ll see.

Before I go, let me leave you with this. Lyrikell, SoAmazin, and Mr. Popovich, with your “hard-nosed defense,” you’re all done. Bbing, jaysisko and all you other Suns nay-sayers; done too. You all have exactly four days to get your shots in. Because after Friday’s game six, you’ll have to wait ‘til next year. Like I’ve been saying all along, the teams would split the first two in Phoenix and the second two in San Antonio, and the Suns would win in six. Ciao. You see, it's all about mental toughness.

And thanks for taking the time to read.

 

To anyone on the east coast who may have headed to bed after three quarters of Wednesday night’s Suns/Mavericks game with the Mavs holding a 91-76 lead and all the momentum, Yogi Berra would like to speak with you. He’ll be in touch. I imagine it’ll go something like, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over . . . “

 

Wow, what a game. Suns win 129-127 in two overtimes. Where do I start? Oftentimes, as we all know, big matchups that are anticipated in sports don’t measure up to the hype. Occasionally though, they do. The temptation to borrow Sports Illustrated’s cover title “The Epic Battle,” which they used after the third Ali-Frazier fight, a.k.a. the “Thrilla in Manila,” was overwhelming. But then I realized that this was not an epic battle. It sure seemed like one, but in reality it was just a regular season game. And the best one I’ve seen in quite some time, perhaps ever. And the similarities to Ali-Frazier III are uncanny. Like Ali in that bout, the Suns dominated early, racing out to 32-18 end of first quarter lead. Like Smokin' Joe, the Mavs punched back in a big way, whittling the deficit to 60-53 by halftime, and then blitzed the Suns with 38-16 third quarter. And like Ali, the Suns, with one foot in the grave, somehow summoned whatever it is that separates the truly great professional athletes from the unsavory ones we hear too much about, responded, outscoring Dallas 35-20 in the final period, capped off by Steve Nash’s three pointer to tie it with just under three seconds left. Nash had ten points in the final minute of regulation, which began with Dallas holding a seven point lead. The two overtimes were as good and tense as competition can get. The only negative o####ame like this is that the longer it goes on, the more that significant plays during the game get overlooked, such as Shawn Marion flying into the picture to rebound Nash’s initial attempt to tie the game and dishing it back to Nash for the biggie. But I suppose the fact that significant plays get pushed to the back of one’s memory is a by-product of an epic battle. Oops, there I go using that phrase again.

 

 A few observations that I didn’t overlook:

 

-Heading into tonight, Dirk Nowitzki would’ve been my choice for MVP. After tonight, I’m not sure. One thing I am pretty sure of, though; it’s a two-horse race between he and Nash. (Not to take anything away from Nowitzki, but was I the only one watching who thought he got an inordinate amount of calls from the officials? I won’t elaborate on specific ones here, so as not to take away from a stellar game, but I almost fainted when he got a “T” called on him late in the game. Hard to imagine how a guy that gets that many calls can complain to the refs.)

-All of the critics who keep re-iterating the stereotypical “Steve Nash plays no defense” can now officially cease and desist. In the overtime periods, Nash took a big charge and later had a huge deflection of a pass and subsequently knocked the ball of Jason Terry and out of bounds--a couple of the afore-mentioned plays that may be overlooked considering of the enormity of the outcome. Steve Nash is not a defensive stopper. Never has been, never will be. But enough already.

-Dirk and Steve can fight over the MVP this year, and perhaps next. But soon, very soon, Amare Stoudemire will be mentioned in the same breath. Forty-one points, ten rebounds. Sixteen of nineteen from the field, nine of twelve from the line. If there were any doubts about his health after missing all but three games last season following microfracture surgery, they have just been erased.

-One telling sign; Immediately following the game, before they even broke for a commercial, the local radio broadcast tandem for the Suns, Al McCoy and Tim Kempton, had Amare on for a few minutes. He was noticeably calm and composed, which surprised me after such a big victory. A few minutes later, the local TV station covering the game had Suns assistant coach Alvin Gentry on for an interview. He, too, was subdued--obviously pleased with the victory but saying a couple times that he wouldn’t overstate the importance of the win. There was no celebration, even minor, from the Suns. Though the folks at home no doubt bordered on cardiac arrest on more than one occasion.

-One would think in a double-overtime game between two of the best teams in the league would have been at least fairly close all the way through. The quarter scores I mentioned above show anything but. Which made this game all the more remarkable.

-I keep hearing about each team’s “Big Three.” It doesn’t appear this game did much to discern any significant difference between either team’s three main players. Just one more reason why we are all anxiously awaiting and hopeful for a Suns/Mavericks showdown in the western conference finals. Thankfully, though, there are enough games left in the regular season to allow my heartbeat to return to normal after tonight’s epic battle. (Dang! I’ll try to stop that.)

-The Suns are now 2 ½ games behind Dallas for the #1 seed in the west. I would normally say that it doesn’t matter much. These are the two best teams and the seeding will have little to do with the outcome if and when they meet in the conference finals. However, it appears that the #2 seed will more than likely have to face San Antonio in the second round. I think either team will get by the Spurs, but the matchup could sap a team of some of its remaining energy. Or this could be pure speculation and nothing more, as there is a good bit of the regular season to go yet, and anything can happen in the playoffs as well. Who knows.

This game could have easily filled up one of those half-hour “NFL Films” highlight shows that we have become accustomed to seeing during Super Bowl week. They have one regular season meeting left, a matinee on Sunday, April 1 in Phoenix. Wishing for a repeat of tonight’s festivities would be asking too much, to be sure. But obviously I’m not alone when I expect another go-round in about two and a half months.

For now though, Phoenix is 2-0 in its “Barometer Week,” with Detroit coming up Friday and a game at Denver Saturday. So far, so good.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

(Alternate Title: Dang, It’s Hard to Take Notes and Watch at the Same Time).

Suns were in game five of a five game homestand. The ####’s birthday was also celebrated tonight. Which doesn’t mean much if you’re not a Suns fan.

Both teams started 1 of 5 from the field.

Yao tired 3 minutes in, but to his credit, he kept working. Apparently he gets what it takes to get to the next level. Plus, he’s probably fresher than most of the players, since he’s only played about 30 games this year due to injury.

And Yao can shoot free throws. Geez, I love fundamentals.

I didn’t think much of the Rockets coming into this game, but Yao and T-Mac (can somebody come up with some nicknames, for crying out loud??) pack a pretty good 1-2 punch.

Impressive first quarter on both sides so far-lots of guys contributing.

I spoke too soon. Just before a timeout is called seven minutes in, Yao is bent over with hands on knees, huffing and puffing. He was effective, but now needs a breather. He got one. Mutombo was in after the break. Who, by the way, was a great pickup as a backup center for the Rockets.

Late in first, Suns 22, Rockets 16. T-Mac (how ‘bout the McGrady Bunch?) is heating up. But it’s apparent he is like any other great scorer-he needs help to win any big game or series. (McGrady’s Navy?)

I really thought Mutombo would fare well against Amare Stoudemire. Wrong. Yao’s height gave him much more problems. Mutombo looked just plain old against Amare.

Leandro Barbosa ends the first quarter with a Nash-like playground shot. Suns lead 30-20.

Early in second quarter, game becoming more like I thought it would be. The current Rockets have not matched up well with the Suns. I see John Lucas checks in with about nine minutes left. Wow. Most will remember his dad as an NBA coach in the ‘90s. I remember his dad as an All-American basketball player and tennis star at the University of Maryland in the mid-70s. He later had some drug problems. The current John Lucas for the Rockets has a bright future. I don’t think he has as much talent as his dad did, but may have a better career. He’s got game. And he’s going to get better.

Yao back in. Didn’t take long. He’s bent over huffing again.

Five and a half to go in the second. T-Mac (McGrady Hawkins? No, never mind), is hitting some shots again. And the Suns should play some more bench players. I know, I should alert the media.

The Matrix hits a nice little runner with three minutes left in the half. And the local announcer, Gary Bender says it “Barometer Week” for the Suns. Great way to put it, with a game at Dallas coming up on Wednesday, Detroit at home on Friday, and at Denver on Saturday. The Suns haven’t played the Nuggets with Carmelo and A.I. yet. And that could be a first round matchup. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Suns lead 52-42 at halftime. Juwan Howard (remember him?) hit all six of his shots in the first half. Yes, the Rockets could cause a lot of problems in the playoffs-as long as they don’t play the Suns. It’s just a bad matchup for Houston.

Second half::

Both teams start cold, like in the first half, but the Rockets are inching back into it. It’s 55-51 three and a half minutes in. And Yao looks done. Very heavy legs.

Whoa! There’s a lob pass to Yao-Marion rises up to steal it. Wow. Sometimes as a Suns fan you forget how good The Matrix is when you see him every game, because you get used to it.

Five and a half left in the third. D’Antoni gets tossed. Rumor has it that someone told him he had ten seconds to come up with a nickname. Apparently he didn’t, and got quite upset by it.

Marion’s having a patented Marion game-not exceptional in any one area, but he’s doing what most teams call on two or three players to do. As I jot this down, Marion blocks Yao's shot and gets a dunk at the other end. Are you kidding me?

Whoop! Don’t look now, but Marion just missed a finger roll. It rolled off the other side. Guess who got the rebound? Marion. Jump hook. Two points. (Damn, I freakin’ love that guy).

Did you see that? Kurt Thomas just blocked Yao’s shot. Yao got the ball back. Holy ####! Thomas blocked it again. Suns on the fast break. Thomas is open for a jumper from the wing- -swish. That’s justice. Time out Rockets!! And the crowd goes wild.

Suns win. 103-82.



Say this name slowly, and don’t forget it - - Leandro (lee-ON-dro) Barbosa. If you’re a Suns fan, thank your lucky stars that owner Robert Sarver signed (lee-ON-dro) to an extension this past off-season. He had 32 points tonight, tying his career high from a few games ago. He was 5 of 6 from behind the arc, and also had eight rebounds.

As Gary Bender said, it’s a ‘Barometer Week’ for the Suns. Let’s go. I’m ready.


Thanks for taking the time to read.

After trailing much of the game by anywhere from eight to fifteen points, the Phoenix Suns rallied in the fourth quarter to nip the Chicago Bulls tonight, 97-96. Actually, rallied may not be the right word. It was more o####radual overtaking of the game.

 

In the first half, Shawn Marion stood head and shoulders above the other Suns with his defense, steals, rebounding, and general flat-out hustle. The Suns were playing with a lot of energy, but it was apparent midway through the first quarter that the Bulls were playing very well, and the Suns had their work cut out for them. To the Bulls credit, every time the Suns closed the gap to five or seven points, the Bulls responded, pushing the lead back up to ten or twelve. Ben Gordon would finish with a career high 41 points, including two free throws with five seconds left to put the Bulls up by two. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The Suns won this game with their fourth quarter defense, timely offense, both inside and outside, and some big performances on the glass. Amare Stoudemire had a put back off a missed Leandro Barbosa drive late in the fourth to get the Suns within two. Boris Diaw, with only his sixth made three-pointer of the season, drilled one to tie the game with less than a minute left. And after Gordon’s free throws following a foul by Steve Nash put the Bulls up by two, the Suns ran a play that resulted in Barbosa nailing a three with just over a second left. After a Bulls timeout, Barbosa got his hand on the ball as Gordon went up for a shot as time expired, which sent the Bulls faithful home feeling empty, considering they had led the entire game. The Suns played stellar defense down the stretch, which resulted in their win.

 

This was the best win of the season for the Suns. Not their most well played game. Not their best offensive performance by any means, but their best win, no doubt. As the second half wore on, it appeared that they were headed for a loss, which considering that they were on the road against a good, tough team, would not have been the end of the world. But to the surprise of many who saw the game, the Suns pulled it out. And showed that they have their eyes on the prize.

 

This was a statement game, and it’s a shame if you missed it. Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, and Boris Diaw all stepped up at different times. Steve Nash had an average game for him, which makes the win that much more impressive.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read.