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 The Big What If
Posted By: Bob Adlhoch |
 Will Tim Duncan's three-point shot be another "what if" in Suns history?(NBAE Photos) |
Although most Suns fans refer to these examples as statements rather than questions, Saturday’s gut-wrenching loss is another example of how history repeats itself – another emotionally gripping game full of big What Ifs. Watching Tim Duncan hit that 3-pointer (did I really just write that?) to send Game 1 into double-OT was beyond surreal. I guess the Shooting Stars competition during All-Star weekend paid off. Duncan practiced the 3-point shot enough to carry his San Antonio team to victory in that event . . . and it carried over. We can add his to the litany of 3-point playoff daggers the Suns have endured (Mario Elie in ’95, Bowen in game 5 last year . . . .)
Cubs fans are generally seen as the most tortured in sports, now celebrating (is that the right term?) their 100th season since they last hoisted a championship trophy on the north side. But that franchise has been a mess from a baseball standpoint most of the last century. How often over the course of their dry spell have they put a team on the field that has fans saying, “this team is a legitimate contender?” Maybe, MAYBE 10 of those 100 seasons. As a Chicago native who spent his share of afternoons at Wrigley Field, I can tell you this: that’s not a suffering fan base, just a bunch of lemmings that love to have a good time at the ballpark.
In each of the Suns’ playoff scenarios, they had a legit contender that had a key injury, statistical improbability or freak event (see Horry hip check) jump up and bite them at an inopportune time. Let’s not kid ourselves – they were also outplayed in key moments of most, if not all, of those series. The best team wins 99.7% (roughly) of all 7-game series. Some Spurs fans got on me for a recent blog that itemized my hatred for their team. The point that most of them missed is that the hatred is lined (silver-lined?) with a tremendous respect for the accomplishments of that franchise. The Spurs have 4 championships. The Suns have a legacy of close calls.
The Suns know they let one get away on Saturday. They think the Spurs know it, too, and are confident they won’t let another get away. Rudyard Kipling wrote:
“If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too . . .
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same . . .
Yours is the Earth and everything in it.”
I know this – there is no lack of trust in the Suns’ locker room. Nash, Stoudemire, O’Neal, Hill and Co. are confident and capable. D’Antoni said it best – “we feel like we’re the better team. Now we just have to prove it.” And another chapter of Phoenix playoff history will unfold Tuesday night. Suns fans hope it will be devoid of questions.
Comments
duncanlikesrings - houston
I wonder if the suns thought they were the better team each of the other times the Spurs kicked them out of the playoffs. Let me quess the suns mean it this time.
Stanley - Jakarta
This time will be different
They will get NBA Championship 2008
Go SUNS!
John S. - Surprise AZ
A foul to give, ahead by three, with seconds remaining, a charging foul when five points ahead and the clock winding down, Boris Diaw shooting the last shot at the buzzer. Why do we live and die with this team? I'll tell you why, because for all their faults, screw ups, misplays, gut wrenching mistakes, they are the Phoenix Suns, our team, and bleeding orange is the die hard fate. I have replayed game one a thousand times, I'm sure many have joined me. Heartbroken, but hardly ready to call it over. Coming back from a game one nightmare is the stuff that makes champions. I say if we truly don't have what it takes lets find out in round one. Suns in six.
Sergio - Northbrook IL
Good comments John. I recorded the saturday and have replayed the last 5 minutes of game action and can't understand why we lost game 1. I think giving away game 1 will have a negative impact on the suns. We simply can't beat San Antonio. I wished it will motivate them and simply play smarter basketball. I thought the same thing for game 6 and it didn't happen. We can't get that monkey off our backs. In my personal opinion is simply bad coaching decisions by D'antoni. I been a bulls fan all my life and always will but I also like the suns. When phil jackson coached our bulls there was never a game that we lost because bad coaching decisions. Phil jackson has the courage, attitude and everything it takes to win championships. Mike D'antoni is a good coach but if you want to win a title you have to be a great coach.
Leo - Argentina
The suns have a great roster, just read these names: nash, stoudemire, hill, o'neal, we are just not lucky. nobody could even imagine that duncan was going to score a three pointer, it's one of those things that can only happen to the suns. it seems to be that it's our destiny.
robert - glen rose
I wonder what spurs team is more dirty. the team that carried over from last year that consisted of kicks to the legs and groins and lets not forget the body check into the announcer's table, or maybe the year that manu genobili hyper extended dirks knee and sent him out of the playoffs all because he thought it would be a marvelous idea to undercut a seven footer, face it spurs fan claim the last championship that was really the suns, it was the last one you'll have for quite some time.
David - Australia
There is no words to explain the heart break of game 1. The only thing is to say IT IS NOT OVER YET AND GO THE SUNS!
Ian - Philippines
The Suns era is about to come. They can only try to stop it, but the inevitable won't be denied.
Edward L. - New York, NY
Suns in six! I truly believe the Suns is a better team, and this is their year! You see, Spurs lost their mind already on game one when they let Timmy shoot the deciding three; they are not gonna be that lucky on every game!! Well, if that happens again, I guess Shaq should perhaps shoot some threes and try his luck too......maybe that's how we'll win this series! Go Suns!
darryl oconner - baton rouge, la
go SUNS!
HM - Beirut Lebanon
John S: Couldn't have said it better!
I bleed orange... It's just game 1. We dominated the whole game and we'll learn from our mistakes and close out games better...
Go Suns!
Suns in 6!
Harvey Managbanag - Philippines(cebu)
Tomorrows gonna be big. Hope the 2 day rest period will boost up "the big cactus"'s energy. We believe in what this team can do. This is no kids game we know that, expect bruce and horry to bring everything they got to the court tomorrow. I smell de'javu, hope the champs will be eliminated again in the first round. This is no small feat, but with the current roster and morale this guys have, they may just have what it takes to overthrow the champs. I like even more the chances of my fave team in the playoffs this year. SUNS ALL THE WAY!
Alison - Phoenix
I was 12 years old when Ced was hurt for the Finals and still remember going to one of the Finals games - on my mom's birthday June 9, 1993 - and wishing he would have mafically been healed.
I am ready for the Suns to go from "What It" to "Woo Hoo" this year.
Andy W. - Phoenix
I believe that we have the better team this year.
I believe that the Suns will beat the Spurs in 6.
I believe that we are as good as the best in the West.
I believe we can beat the best in the East.
I believe that my Phoenix Suns will win this year.
I believe!
michael - england
Heres another what if. What if the suns had not lost the coin toss to the bucks.
Madz Victor - Manila, Philippines
Guys, SUNS have ordained to have thier first title this year... mark my word.
NEHEMIAS - MEXICO CITY
I guess the winner of this series will won the western division, if not the NBA title, hope this time is the Suns chance, try to end the game having the longest point difference and stop Manu Ginobili at the end of the game because he dominates the game at any level at offensive and at defense, the others Spurs players are not as good at edge game, Duncan will not hit another three point shout, at the end of the game try to bring him at the fault line, he will fail because he is so nervous at the edge. Sun this is the time.
wiLson - Manila, Philippines
I believe that SPURS has just did a magic out of that 3-point shot done by Duncan, but i believe SUNS can still outgo the SPURS with their shootings and nice team pass... it's just a matter of believing in the SUNS!! GO SUNS!! get the GAME 3!!
skywalker_on_target - Dumaguete City,, Philippines
yes im very much comfortable that SUNS will end the series in game 6 and get the title of course. i just hope that some SUNS key player will be in good shape just like hill and barbosa which is not in good shape in game 2, hope they can recover from it and make a basket all through out...
good luck SUNS .....
GO SHAQ ......
i believe that you can do it guyz...
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Georg - Taisten- South Tirol - Italy
I'm a fan since 12 years and now i'm 30 years old... we are just 8 friends wich have a team who will play some game as a football team and our name is PHOENIX SUNS from Taisten )))we wait for the first NBA CHAMPION Titel for THE PHOENIX SUNS and this year is the Year ...
Suns will win the first round 4-2
GO SUNS...
sir george
Matt - Canada
Guys I love Nash (I'm a fellow Canadian) but he's got to step it up or this series is going silver and black real fast
harley - mesa
Its over suns fans. This is for the coaching staff and players. D'antoni is being outcoached by the spurs. These home games don't mean anything if you can't win in there home court. The spurs don't have to win in phx they want to do it in san antonio .So if the suns win there next two games and even up the series they need to win one in texas. BELL, BARBOSA, DIAW, AND GRANT HILL need to step up and play ball. I THOUGHT WE GOT RID OF SHAWN MARION THATS THE WAY THERE PLAYING. take a look at the tape Ginobli always goes up the middle and to his left . Tony parker up the middle and to the right. Im for the suns but they need to step it up go back to the running game they can't keep up. So lets go suns and turn it around.
Dor - Phoenix
Playing smart I believe is the key to winning every game. No unneeded fouls early in the game, accuracy of how the ball is handled, protecting the basket each time and not allowing them to penetrate. Guarding the opponent, great defense and offense and rebounding every time. Don't let that ball out of sight one second, and practice whenever there is time, practice on how to get those smart shots. Be prepared mentally and don't beat yourselves Suns... this is the only way for you to win... Go SUNS, you can do it!
jrose - cebu city, philippines
i want to send a message to amare nash and oneal and the rest of the team please guys play the typical sun's game. we believe in you and your team's capability, you were down 1-3 against the lakers and get back and win the series 0-3 against the spurs is no different. if you think you were the better team now is the right time to prove it. guys you can do it all of the sun's funs are in your back to support you and continue to believe in you
!!! GO SUNS WE BELIEVE !!!
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