Nash vs. Parker (a.k.a. dazzling distributor vs. quicksilver penetrator)- It's been beaten like a dead horse how Parker has just killed the Suns in the regular season. Nash is no stranger to the killer instinct either, whether it's the back-breaking shot or pass. Both floor leaders know what to do at the end of games to gut out a win. Whichever point guard has the better overall game will probably determine which team wins. Team defense will be the key to stopping Parker get into the lane whenever he wants. Parker's only hope is to get the ball out of Nash's hands...easier said than done.

Bell vs. Finley (a.k.a. Suns '05 Summer Option #2 vs. Suns '05 Summer Option #1)-Remember, the Suns were hot on Finley's trail until he officially decided to go to the Spurs, so the Suns "settled" for Bell to be their starting 2 guard. Which team came out better? Neither can say yet, since neither team has won a championship with them. Both guards are experienced, gritty, and able to hit a big three when needed. This will be a great battle of savvy role players who've played too long without winning the big one.

Marion vs. Bowen (a.k.a. Does all the little things that everyone loves vs. does all the little things that everyone hates)- Both teams need these players for their more-than-tangible effect they have on the floor. Marion needs to rebound, score in the flow, and get his non-recognized-snubbed-off-the-defensive-team steals and blocks. Bowen needs to lock down whoever he's guarding (which may very well be Marion) with his boney body-up defense and hit his trade-mark three from the corner. For the Suns especially, Marion cannot be shut down like he was in 2005.

Stoudemire vs. Duncan (a.k.a. Quick and Powerful vs. Slow and Steady)- Everyone knows what Amare did to the Spurs in the '05 playoffs, and it's probably that he was like nothing better than to repeat his dominating performance again. Aside from his charges to the rim and earthquaking dunks, Amare must play good defense, and at the same time stay out of foul trouble. Not easy when in all likelihood he'll be matched up against Tim Duncan at least half of the game. Duncan will try and teach STAT Post Moves 101, and with the offense constantly being run through the Big Fundamental, the Suns will need to pay attention to their individual defensive assignments before getting burned by the Spurs' execution.

Barbosa vs. Ginobili (a.k.a. Brazil vs. Argentina)- I lived in Argentina for a few years, and they simply adore Manu down there. There were a couple people who told me that he's better than Jordan was...seriously. Their respective contries have enough bad sports blood (soccer) between them, and this may provide more incentive for each player than many on the outside looking in may realize. Both players can get to the rim, Barbosa with his quickness and Ginobili with his strength and crazy flailing. Both can hit the outside shot. Both players could average ofver 20ppg. Both are x-factors in determining victory for their team.

Diaw/Thomas vs. Oberto/Elson (a.k.a. under 6'10" center committee vs. over 6'10" center committee)- When either team can get good production out of any of these guys, it's a huge bonus. When Diaw is aggressive getting in the lane and making smart passes, it adds a whole new wrinkle to the Suns already potent offense. When Thomas is boxing out, playing post D and hitting his mid-range jumper, Phoenix is suddenly, well, tougher. When Oberto or Elson get aggressive rebounding and put in some garbage points, it absolutely kills the Spurs opponents.

James Jones vs. Barry/Horry- (a.k.a. young gunner vs. old snipers)- All of these guys can hit dagger threes throughout the course of a game, most notably Horry in crunch time. When they're hitting their long bombs, the other team has a major headache trying to decide when and when not to double Amare/Duncan. Barry and Horry have done this before, while Jones just started getting comfortable with the idea late in the Lakers series. The guess here is that all of them will make their presence felt in at least one respective game of the series.

D'Antoni vs. Popovich (a.k.a. Sexy Italian Spaghetti vs. Homemade Mashed Potatoes)- D'Antoni has brought the flashy, attractive fast-paced game back to the NBA. He's won almost 180 games in three regular seasons. He's friendly with the media and empathetic with his players. Popovich is not...period. He knows that his half-court oriented run the offense through the low-post has won championships in the past, and will continue to have his team play that way. He's won 3 rings, is morose and boring with the media, and is not bashful about ripping his players on national TV.