Our plane wastes no time in surging up through the thick blanket of clouds covering San Antonio. No, the Suns did not shine in that city this weekend.
I've got a mound of work waiting for me when I reconnect to the Internet on the ground, but for the moment I'm looking out the window wrestling with a strange feeling.
For the first time in my life, I'm glad to be leaving Texas.
My conversion to a Phoenix Suns fan is nearly complete. I know ahead of us is a long day of listening to people worry about the Suns' chances but looking around this cabin, I find comfort in the team I've followed all season.
There are no hanging heads or pointing fingers. The same group that was playing cards on the way to San Antonio is enjoyng the same game on the red eye back home. DVD players are still lit up with the latest movie releases and every few minutes a laugh will cut through the flight noise. Panic? No thanks.
The Spurs did what the Spurs have done for years - find a way to win. In Game 1 they used a comeback fueled by big shots. In Game 2, it was hack-a-Shaq and oppessive defense. It's nothing new.
But now we're headed to the place where the Suns have their own bag of tricks. It's time for the Suns to do what they did __ in the regular season. Defend their home.
I can already hear some of you saying, "But the Spurs are too hard to beat."
Tell that to the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers. The group of veteren stars (sound familiar?) fell down 0-2 to the defending NBA champion Spurs (sound very familiar?) and headed back to the Staples center where they decided the Spurs would get no closer to the trophy.
Tell that to the 2005 Detroit Pistons. They also stumbled out of the gate in San Antonio and flew to Detroit with their backs against an 0-2 wall. They answered the challenge and evened things up with two convincing wins.
Oh yeah, and tell that to the 2008 Phoenix Suns.
Comments
Reagan Lester - Chandler
Listen....Let's all just relax! This team is better than the Spurs and I don't care what anybody says! They got lucky in game one - twice, and to be honest with you, it's hard to get things going when they take your head off and don't get called for it. I am so sick of the home-town calls. I just pray it goes both ways!!!
Amare and Nash won't let us down. Something big on Friday will happen - Just watch!
Pat - Chino Valley
We may be down but not out! If we can win the 2 at home, we will come back and take the series.
Go Suns!
Danny - Phx, Az
Just win you damn suns.
DIEHARDSUNSFAN - t dot
thanks for writing your blog again. its great to know none of the players or coaching staff is hanging their heads or whatsoever that the public is sayin about us, because as a fan myself, im definitely not either. i am still as confident as before this series started and i believe the suns will be strong for games 3 and 4. cant wait till friday's game. those lucky fans that get to be at the game better cheer loud !!! keep the faith people, the suns will win. GO SUNS
Adam - Phoenix
I couldn't have said it better myself!
Upshaw - Navajo Rez
Whats up with my man Barbosa?
shirley - sc
I am a big Suns fan ,but I must admit, I hold out very little hope that the Suns can get past theSpurs in this series.As much as it hurts me to say this, the Spurs are playing like champions,and the Suns are playing like half hearted wannabees. But the Suns are still my team.Go Suns!!!!!!!!
Anthony Caglio - Phoenix
The remainder of this series is going to be a true test of how resilient the Suns are being in an all too familiar situation. There must be no excuses, no panicking, just championship caliber basketball 48 minutes at a time.
Armchair Coach - TOR
Coach D'antoni got outcoached again by Coach Popovich. Popovich made the adjustments at halftime, and D'antoni had no answers. You can blame the players, sure, but with Grant Hill out, D'antoni needs to give simple, focused directions to young players like Amare, LB and Boris Diaw, not complicated plays or subtly complex tactics. (Fans should know it's no use complaining BD plays soft and looks to pass too often, even when defended by a much smaller player. He plays this way all his life, and if D'antoni can't change him during the season, good luck changing him now.) You can really see Amare, LB and BD were really lost when SAS threw them a change up. They all got the ball in the hand, stopped for a moment to try to read the scrappy SAS defenders, before deciding what to do - you can't be that indecisive when SAS were turning up the speed and the refs put their whistles in their pockets. You've got to know (be well drilled) what to do BEFOREhand - that's what preparation is about. (Guess how often or how effective D'antoni uses his 3rd unit to drill his 2nd unit players to attack these change-up situations? I don't think D'antoni thinks it is important to use his 3rd unit this way and drill these siutations during the regular season; now even if he wants to, his team is not prepared enough to adapt. E.g. The team has no basic motion offense that can adapt to teams changing defense or to injuries.) Therefore, by default, Nash and O'Neal would be asked to fulfill that role - offering simple "tips" to the young guns - very difficult, given that it's always more difficult to analyze the situation when you are involved in the situation and caught up with emotion - you don't have time to step back, analyze and say "that's what they are doing to us, so this is what we need to do." That's coaches' responsibilities. So that's why I say D'antoni got outcoached - he didn't use the regular season games to prepare for the playoffs, he didn't have different solutions to Popovich's tactics, he did not master his players during
Austin - Phoenix
But the only thing is that the suns cannot play a full game hard enough they have two dominant players,Nash and Amari. You dont have to woory about these guys its the third player we dont have. ( another shooter)Nash is the only player on our team that when he shoots you know its got a 95% chance of going in.Everyone else other than Amari dunking the ball, when they shoot you catch yourself saying "come on please go in". Dont get me wrong are team is awesome, but with Ginobli, Parker they have two like nash players let alone Duncan And DEFENSE!!!!!
regina - vancouver, bc
sure hope you're right dude.
Rob - Yuma
I hope you're right. I haven't seen the suns look so flat for a long time--especially Nash and Amare. It is completely understandable to be emotionally drained after Game 1. I thoroughly hate the Spurs and it would be great to see Phoenix come back and win this series. I think its time for the Suns players to put down the cards and take a long look in the mirror. They need to believe they can do it. It takes energy and desire to go to the finals, let alone to win one. The greats have always had the most desire. It is as important as talent. This is one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Please don't come out flat in game 3. Losing is one thing, but to quit believing is unacceptable. Let's see some Suns Fire on Friday.
William Maxwell - Houston Texas
Pop is going to use every trick he can to win...grabbing Shack...besides making for a bad game to watch....is just bad basketball...but legal...the suns have to take the same approach...I remember pointedly that Larry Bird couldn't dribble, shoot, or pass...he just knew how to win...the key to winning against San Antonio...is to do whatever takes to win...a desire that won't be denied...we have all seen Steve in he past when refuses to let the Suns loose...that type of effort is going to be required from everyone the rest of the playoffs...or the suns will once again be watching the finals from the couch...
Louis -
That's the kind of "up's" we need. A lot of people are telling me "Yeah, the suns are gonna lose." Like you said, tell that to the lakers.
Andrew - Phoenix
Did anyone else notice Giricek's defense on Ginobili in Game 2? Was it just because it was only short spurts or does Giricek know what he's doing? I thought he played by far the best defense we had on Ginobili and deserves more minutes, especially the way Barbosa continued to kill us all game, anybody agree?
Kate Wood - Long Beach, CA
Yes, it is possible that the Suns can win the next two games to defend their territory. On the other hand, the potential of the Spurs to win at least one of the two away games can be a reality too. I don't think the Suns should be panicking, but they should be prepared for the battles.
J. Garcia - Glendale, AZ
I completely believe that this series is far from over. One very important fact to think about is, there's a big player on our team that knows what it's like to come back from 0-2 to win a series. The aforementioned 2004 Lakers, and the 2006 Miami Heat that came back to shock the Mavs for the Larry O'brian trophy both had the Shaq Fu anchoring the team. Granted, Shaq is not the same player he was back then, but he is still a voice of inspiration, experience, and confidence in the locker room. We have a very proud group of players on our squad that will leave it out on the court, and truthfully, we all know that we haven't seen the real Suns in this series yet. Hopefully they show up to stay, starting Friday night.
Ian - Makati, Philippines
I'm with the Phoenix Suns till the very end.
Patrick - Makati, Philippines
Well, we almost had the Spurs in both games 1 & 2, we just didn't take care of our double digit lead back in the 1st half. We lost those games not because of the Spur's defense or whatsoever, we just became careless. Hopefully our team will play games 3 & 4 smartly from the tip-off til the final buzzer. We can still win this series with those smackos. GO SUNS!!!
brian - manila
This is true, i still believe that suns would get their NBA title, i believe in all their players especially steve nash, i just hope they wont stop playing hard at the 2nd half. GO Suns!
Graham Kryvenchuk - Canada
you know i have watched every game of the suns for years now and i know these guys can come back they can score points in a hurry... one thing i noticed in the third quarter suns went ice cold and i don't think number 1 had the chances he should have. Nash tried but the passes weren't in sync like they ussually are and nash toke over when he came back but he needs the big guys to help him finish that and also the bench barbose needs to have double digits.
De valen - Philippines
well..everything went wrong in second half. the suns should not focus on duncan coz they have shaq..they need to watch manu,parker,finley coz they are responsible for the comeback in game 2...i dont know if the suns are gonna make it even the win two games in home..
helix - Columbus, Ohio
i still believe...
ralph - doha qatar
i witness the game 1 and 2. i still believe in the SUNS.once back in phoenix the the SUN will rise and the NBA world will be painted ORANGE.the SUN will heat up the game....WATCH IT.....
Fernando - SD
Yeah, but the suns are not the lakers and nor the detroit pistons, why don't don't the phoenix suns try to play better and not looking for excuses of why they are losing or how other teams were down 0-2 and won.
Danny Samia - Quezon City, Philippines
I am a great Phoenix Sun fan who believes that the Sun will even the series here at home. It just happen that the Suns shots in gam 2 did not sink in the crucial fourth quarter. I have great confidence with the Suns to even the series at Phoenix and stole one game at AT&T Center in San Antonio. Go Suns Go...
chloe13 - China
I love what you've written above, it brings me lots of confidence. We still have a chance and we will see!
Jason - Los Angeles
This PHX team feels more like the 2002 Sac Kings, great talent but lost the game they shoulda won (and the series). Never could get over the hump...
martin - switzerland
thank's for blogging dan. I'm not very optimistic anymore, but this article boosts my optimism at least a little bit ...
rey tatoy jr. - muntinlupa city, philippines
There's nothing like home cooked meals. I expect my suns to come back and come back with vengeance. We'll have to play our game. If the scoring is high, we'll win the game and if the game is low scoring chances are we'll lose the game. Tempo, that's what makes the difference in this game. We have to win every quarter of the game and maintain our focus the whole 48 minutes. Go Suns!!!
Rose Wu - Beijing,China
Suns, come on, don't give up, you are the best, I believe you can beat the Spurs. We can beat any competition if we set our hearts on winning, and we can win the champion this season. Come on,Steve, Amare, Raja, Shaq, Boris, Hill, and all players in Suns.
Austin - china
It absolutely is the time for suns to win the champion this year.although it s tough.I believe the big guy can make it.Go SUNS!
Martell Hyman - Alexandria
Im a die hard suns fan,
You are exactly right.. All we have to do is defend home, then its tied 2-2..take it one game at a time Suns...easiers said then done but I believe that we can do it.. Focus with the killer instinct is what the suns need to do..Plus a little production form LB who alwayz choke agianst the spurs in the playoffs. Coach Mike has to come up with a better half time speech because whatever he is saying at the half is not working...The spurs layup drill must be stop by all means...The Suns must get more physical...The Spurs are not unbeatable....The Suns have to play almost perfect basketball to beat a team of the spurs caliber..It time for us (Suns) to man up a show determination and prove we are the better team mentally and talent wise!!!
Lets handle business SUNS!!!
vera200711 - guangzhou china
tell that to the 2008 Phoenix Suns,their fans are still here to support them.
SALOMON VARGAS - LOS ANGELAS CALIFORNIA
COME ON SUNS QUIT LETTING US FANS DOWN.QUIT GETING SO SLOPY.REMEMBER WHEN OR GO HOME..........
NBA93 - phoenix
I feel the Suns can win the next 4 out of 5, but they MUST take care of their homecourt. This is the situation that we are up against. The one thing that hurts is that we did not take care of the first game, and that has elevated the confidence of the spurs because remember at one point of the game for game 1 when we were up by 16 we had that building silent, I believe the commentator said crickets chirping and then after that we fell in into the mental wow of the Spurs. Coach says we are the better team, coach is only saying this to keep his players from walking into game 3 with their heads down. No, its on our court and we need to protect this with all efforts available, as much power that we have in us to do it.
sunsational - phoenix
I applaud the hard work and efforts by our suns, I know they want to win more than anything, but we have to learn to be poised and confident with our shots. Leandro, bless his heart, can not come in scared and take careless shots, boris, has been doing a fine job, but you keep hoping, and the foul shaq method is a little aggrevating given his history at the line. One thing we should never do is walk off feeling its over and done with. I believe coach dantoni will find the solution for where San Antonio is hurting us. Our fans should continue to believe even though its looking a little bad the guys are coming home and lets be as loud for them as SA is for their team.
JJ - Houston
Here is what I have learned from YMCA: Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard. Good luck guys!
sunsfan - phoenix
At least glad that it will be on our court for the next couple of games. If the Suns have the lead, hold on to it because in close games we have not had a lot of success in that regard. The Suns should not put themselves in a position for a close game either, if they have a lead they should build on it and take SA out of their rhythm. One thing that is frustrating with Phoenix is that we played so well against this team in the reg season and now its like we had lost the belief factor there.
J. Hamilton - Texas
That's what I'm talking about! Just play with confidence becasue without a doubt the Suns are the better team. I can't wait to see this next two Wins in Phoenix!
Go Suns
Joey - Los Angeles
Maybe you are right, but according to early interviews before the series, home court will not much of an advantage. I believe the SUNS dont need a home court advantage, they just need to a big bell to ring so that Barbosa and Diaw can wake up on their sloppy games.And to Grant Hill, no more injury excuses, he's very old and playing according to his age.
marj - sacramento, ca
well,you knnow, when they lost in game 1,i doubted if they can win in the series,but as a suns fan, i could not afford to loose my faith just because of games 1 and 2...i know the suns will come back...it's their turn now...if they loose,well,we can't do anything about it,if they win,we thank them...2 choices..but 1 answer in the end...go suns!!!!you can beat them...just believe in yourselves,we're just on your back..trust me
karlissa - Albs.
I think the suns can pull this off. they are bad ass and plus they won 3-4 so mostly likely they can pull it off. LETS GO SUNS. !!!!!!!
Jay - Austria/Vienna
The first Game was yours SUNS, Duncan won´t make any §-Pointers again...
So go out, und beat them four times in a row now!
greez from europe!
Sid - Los Angeles
Before this series I had told a friend that the "x-factors" in this series would be Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa. Coming back to Phoenix we see that unfortunately, my "x-factors" didn't do so well. Diaw had some good moments, but was inconsistent. And Barbosa's head is somewhere besides the court. He can't get anything going. I think he needs a good boost of confidence from Dan D'antoni.
So the Suns could still win this if Barbosa finally gets it going and Diaw gets consistent, or Hill can get back on track.
See ya, and may God bless our Phoenix Suns!
Sid
Joel M. - Panama, Panama City
I'm the fan #1 for the Phoenix suns in Panama, I think they need to come on game 3 at home and play with the champions mind adjust the defense and not let Parker go deep in the paint whenever he wants and also play focus and strong the whole game we can't win games if we only play two quartes GO SUNS!!! you are the best team.
Mahal - Panama city, Panama
Go Suns! Go yo are the best team ever, Barbosa we need more of your offense, Raja and Grant also we need to have them play the basketball they show on the regular season
antonio - Mexico City
dont worry comrades, next friday we are going to beat the Spurs so bad they wont mess up with us again, just have faith in our GREAT TEAM.
GO SUNS
Becky - Texas
I have been a Suns fan ever since I was born and I know that you guys will be the next champions. Just be aggresive and focus on your part. Nash and Stoudimare keep scoring for us. Bell make three pointers for my sister, she loves you a lot. Shap take out Duncan for me, I hate him and keep your head up high. Barbosa just keep running faster and score big. But no matter what I will always go for the Phoenix Suns!!!
We BELIEVE IN YOU and you need to BELIEVE IN US!!!
The next CHAMPIONS of 2007-2008
THE PHOENIX SUNS!!!!
AND THEY CALL ME BECKY NASH I LOVE YOU STEVE NASH!!
BEAT THE SPURS AND WIN!!!
Tara - east Ireland
DAM RITE I BELIEVE TOO...sure, many mistakes wer made, bu we laarn frm our mistakes..which means DIAW won't miss naother lay up, LB wil take the right shots, n of course get on tha score sheer, d'antoni will improve on his coaching..! WE CAN STILL DO THIS!...cuz if we don't..im never watching NBA agen...hahahaha
daniel - Douglas AZ
GO SUNS!!!
WE ALL STILL BELIEVING IN YOU!
Jeff - Phoenix
The reality is that in order to win this series now, the Suns must win 4 out of 5 from a team that has their number.
Impossible? No. Unlikely? Yes.
I love the Suns, but I doubt we see game 7.
And think of this - if we do manage to crawl out of this hole, our reward is probably going to be to play a team that we were unable to beat all year. Things are just not looking good on Planet Orange!
Amy - Mesa, AZ
Come on Suns let's go! Wake up and show them what you're really made of! Don't let San Antonio's cheap ways throw you off. They just want you to be so frustrated you can't focus on what is important! Scoring and Winning!
Shiella - CHANDLER,AZ
"It's time for the Suns to do what they did in the regular season. Defend their home." - quote is self explanatory. just cuz they lost two games, it doesn't mean they do the same with the other two!! :] i beliiiieeveee! yay! GO SUNS!
gergi - Safford Az
The Suns have the talent to win it all!, but seem to lack that killer instinct. If they would remain focused the entire game and leave it all on the court no one can beat them! I hope the crowd in Phoenix can help them find their focus.
dave - toronto,canada
BELIEVE IN THE SUNS!!!! next 2 games going to be a blowout then they will take game 3 and finish it off at home!! mark my words!!!!!!!
-Rob- - Phx
Its a curse... As long as the Spurs have the same team the Suns are never gonna to beat them its just the way it is. Im a Suns fan till I die but they just cant get over that hump.
John - Salt Lake City
The Suns will be fine. Nash is the greatest player to ever play the game, Amare the most athletic, and Shaq the most competitive. The spurs won't be able to flop around like fish and get calls in Phoenix. I have Phoenix in 6!
Bryant Jhonson - Chandler,
I HOPE THE SUNS WIN
chimar - milwaukee WI,
Don't foreget to kick spurs butt and watch out when parker come off the pick and roll and watch out for big D because he only use backboard. Suns are the best I been going for the suns the last 5 years.
J Reyes - Yuma AZ.
GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
curtis freeman - phoenix
come on suns you need to raise your heads up high and take over these next couple of games. Please please dont let all of us suns fan's down. I have watch every game this season and you guys are the better teamn. The spurs suck that cant match up with you guys show them who is boss and take charge and send those ladies back to texas and show them that the sun has raised and the west.
Angler - Mesa. AZ
D'Antoni needs to find his lost play book. Wait! He never had a defensive playbook. Run and gun won't win a championship, it's time to face the music. D'Antoni is just plain stubborn. Bell stinks during the playoffs and so does Barbosa.
I see drastic changes next year. Build a Detroit style team around Shaq and Amare for next year!
Stevenashfan13 - flagstaff, az
people, people, let's not get discouraged! of COURSE the suns can come back! we all know that S.A. only got lucky on those first two games!! the suns now know that the time to mess around is not now, and that they can beat this team if they have enough heart. Don't doubt the power of the suns!
SUNSFAN - t dot
PUMPED AND CONFIDENT AND READY TO GO !!
not only the suns, but us, the fans, are ready to support and cheer!
we just gotta be smart and take care of business at home the next 2 games. WE ARE FINE. no worries.
cannot wait till friday's game for some home cooking! LETS GO SUNSS!!
Daniel - San Juan City, Philippines
go suns
Mike - Pho-Town
If we are going to beat the Spurs, we cannot play Barbosa nearly as much as we have.
D'Antoni is notorious for using only players that can best contribute to a win. In this case, that list does not include Leandro. His if even half of his 0-7 shooting was scored by other Suns, we would have won that game.
Mike P - San Antonio
The difference between the 2004 Lakers, the 2005 Pistons and the Suns is the Lakers and Pistons had both won the Championship in recent years...
Kevin - Phoenix
Im a suns fan, and i still think we can do it. Im just tired of hearing coachD got out coached. Im getting kinda tired of the games now days. CoachD coaches the rules of basketball, and not to foul. Whats a foul now? Every time Shaq or Stat trys to front there players the whistle blows. I remember Malone throwin blows left and right, and 9 out of 10 times got away with it. Barkley was aggressive but if he played in this league now, he would have more ejections in the season then Sheed. Im sick of the flopping and im tired of them saying there addressing the issue. this league doesnt need more rules, they need to loosen up on all calls period. Let them battle it out a little more. instead of crying because they got hit in the elbow, when at the other end the whistle was blown on them for the same thing.
John - Philippines
I believe the suns can win this series with the spurs. The suns got all the great offensive and defensive players.
KNOCK OUT THE SPURS ON THEIR FIRST ROUND SERIES!
GO PHOENIX SUNS THIS IS OUR YEAR!
CARLOS JR. - EL MIRGE AZ.
iTS TIME FOR PAYBACK AMARE AND SHAQ R READY TO REACT BECAUSE THE SPURS ARE WACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
clutch valley - philippines
Another 100000000000000000000000 dollars check to suns charity!!! ITZ GONNA RAIN 3'S ON FRIDAY!!! GO SUNS!!!
Paul - Tempe, AZ
There's no reason to panic.The Suns are fine,we'll win the 2 games here in Phoenix.The fans here will be so loud.. they won't know what to do.Barbosa,and Raja will get back into it I know for sure.I mean come on this is the defending NBA Champs we're playing,NOT THE CLIPPERS!!!SO... prepare for a crazy atmosphere in US Airways Center
george kutcher - new jersey
How about where your purple jerseys when your in San Antonio. Also PLAY DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
duck - wash. d.c.
Go!!! SUNS-----we ain't scaered--we ready -go Shaq-Nash-Stoddie---blow out
Steve O - Scottsdale, AZ
I will be at the game on Friday, and I personally will make sure the Suns Win!!!
matt newell - san diego
the suns were unlucky in game 1 u give tim duncan the ball 20 more times n c wat happens BRICK..
with that said winning that game alone would have gave us the momentum so every buddy jus take two deep breaths n come monday morning u better b ready to let all the doubters hear it!!!
THIS IS ARE TEAM N WE ARNT ABOUT TO LET ANYBODY COME IN BETWEEN US AND THE MAIN GOAL..
BAND WAGANERS NEED TO GET A NEW LIFE TALKING CRAP AINT GUNNA GET U ANY WHERE
Pian - Philippines
Let's go suns..The fans are still believing that the can move to the next round. I can't sleep at night, thinkin what will happen in Game 3. Keep your hearts out.
Chris - chandler, AZ
At tiems i hate the suns and at times i love the suns.. but never i GIVE UP! and I HOPE THEY WONT GIVE UP EITHER! From what i have seen Coach needs to give more minutes to Gordan as hes a good defender.. and we need our MVP to take the game over.. NASH needs to take more shots and take over the game cuz hes THE ONE! who will get us over the hump.
Mao - Singapore
I believe the suns won't be out in the 1st round! They can go much more further! The finals! Go suns! Go suns!
TJ - MANILA,PHILS
I still belive that we are going to wint the series we did not lose games 1 and 2 bec were not that good its because we are careless..hopefully adjustments are made and decisions wther to foul or not to foul should be done..WE HERE IN MANILA PHILIPPINES CHEERS FOR NASH AND COMPANY.. GO SUNS!!!
Gerald - Manila,Philippines
Just forget about the last 2 games. I remember the games they won forget the games lost. Just believe no doubts Go Suns!!
glenn - cagayan de oro city
i still believe that they can beat the spurs coz they have shaq in thier lineup hes one and best dominant player now a days.go shaq and nash.
glenn - cagayan de oro city, philippines
i still believe that they can beat the spurs coz they have shaq in thier lineup hes one and best dominant player now a days.go shaq and nash.
Harrry - Beijing,China
Suns is not one of the best NBA teams, it is the best of the best! I worship Steve, who is always performing in a decent and amazing way, I like Amare, for his incredible constitution, and Shaquille, he has adequate experience for playoff.And I love everyone in this team, every one that makes contribution to the winnings, to the battles.
Spurs is a strong team, but I still believe Suns will get the winning of the series, because you are better, just be confident and keep going, keep fighting, this team would prove itself!
Best wishes for Phoenix !All the fans of Suns, let's enjoy the coming games!!!
JIM - phx
GO SUNS and you will win . Beat the spurs.
kristel velasquez - philippines
so this is it! our home!!!!
we knw that when it comes to playoffs it's really unpredictable.. we might win or lose... but relax! the more u think we can win, the more we can be sure to win! hey.. i love suns! trust GOD guys =D
orly 19 - Puerto Rico
we all gotta be worry because the suns outplayed spurs in the first two games and they still lose. They dont have defense thats why they are not gonna win Spurs have defense. Defense wins championship
Lance - Everywhere
Hey Regan Lester why would you call that luck? Thats what those guys get paid to do. I suspposed you'd also call Derek Fisher's shot with .04 seconds left luck too huh? As far as hometown calls, I TiVOed the game and later looked at the stat sheet...the called fouls were near even on both games IN FACT San Antonio got called for more fouls than Phoenix in BOTH games. I like Steve Nash because he is crafty and face it the man can ball and if Amare wants to call someone a dirty player, Im sorry but he needs look no further than Steve Nash who is this eras John Stockton, and have you watched how Grant Hill has played defense with the grabbing and holding (Grant is among my favorite players)! Sure Ginobili flops, so does the Diaw and Barbosa who play hard nosed defense worse than Bowen but those guys simply want to win and I dont know anyone who wouldnt do all they can to win. And lets not call it cheating, they cant add additional points to their score total and they arent making any calls...Amare complains more than anyone else on the floor...everytime he gets touched he throws his hands in the air and cries. I wonder if he knows basketball is a contact sport? If he doesnt want to be touched maybe he should play tennis, of take up kayaking or hell maybe join the pro bowlers circuit. I respect the Suns play but I don't respect the fact that they cry when they lose and make excuses and blame everyone but themselevs. I've never seen a coach design a play in order to turn the ball over...its called EXECUTION bro and Phoenix just isnt getting it done. The refs arent out there missing layups and wide open shots. Bruh when comments like yours are made its evident that the fan is biased which is cool but the fact of the matter is you gotta remain objective. Face it the Spurs have 4 Larry Obrien trophies...people want to talk about that first one because it was a shortened season but correct me if I am wrong...wasn't every other team including Phoenix vying for that trophy and didnt every team have a fair shot
CactusShaq - philippines
I wish the Suns would learn to play physical and beat San Antonio at its own game. San Antonio is an old and dirty team. I mean Shaq should just level Parker and Ginobili. Such tactics helped the Pistons derail the Bulls during Jordan's younger years. I know NBA players are tough but nobody could withstand that kind of punishment. I know the suns are a clean team but losing to the spurs every year is sickening. I also wish Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa would step it up a notch. They have been playing subpar for a while already.
John MacInnis - Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Having wateched the Suns for the past number of years, the one thing that amazes me is that "DEFENSE", wins championships whether it is in baseball, hockey, or football and defense is something that is foreign to the Phoenix Suns.
Defense is a commitment on everyione's part on a team and can't be left to two or three individuals.
The Suns cannot defend with the exception of Bell & Hill. Diaw & Barbosa are too soft and can't shut anybody down. Too many easy baskets are scored when they are playing with many of the shots not even contested.These two players were fine when the run & gun offence was the norm for the team because they never had to defend anyone anyway.
In addition, while Stoudamire is a tremendous player who can take the team on his back, he commits crucial fouls either early or late in a game when the team needs him the most.
Although Nash wants to get everybody involved in the game there are times when he needs to shoot more and control the tempo of the game.
Finally, Coach D'Antoni is being outcoached in the playoffs by the Spurs Popovich, as he has been for the last couple of years.
I would love to see the Suns defeat the Spurs but I have no confidence in their ability to stop the Spurs in crucial situations and I don't believe the Suns can win with individuals such as Diaw or Barbosa because the defense is just not there.
If the Suns are going to win an NBA Championship Mr. Steve Kerr wil be shopping in the summer when the season ends.
Patrick - Bonham,tx
I'm in tx right no but every bit of a suns fan. Lived in Phoenix pretty much my whole life. The suns can't let up in the second half.It's simple.The spurs play four quarters and I hate to say it but the suns in both 3rd quarters looked like little kids. The suns are every bit of the best team in the nba at home they just can't let there gaurd up. L.B needs to step up. When he scores over 500 the suns are a disaster. And Diaw please CONVERT WHEN YOU HAVE THE MISMATCH ON THE POST. Its ok though the sus will win anyway somehow.
Phoenix suns fan 4 life......
spider - gilbert
Lets go boys you can do this!Go suns! No one is jumping ship we are still behind you
optimistic - phoenix
Its wonderful to see fans from all over including San Antonio offering support for this team, it does mean a lot. We should encourage our team loudly tonight. I look at the Warriors arena, Dallas arena and even San Antonio, if they are loud on air then imagine what its like when your there.
joe - phx
shaq is the reason why the suns are not as good. it would of been a better game with marion in the our lineup. trade him now (shaq) while he is still worth it.
joe - phx
suns gave the spurs their best shot (and will still lost), we had the spurs on their home turf down 16 at one point but have faild twice. I need a BIG win tonite or else......
John - Pheonix
Shaq keep up the beastness, Nash don't be afriad to take over the game. Stat. your a bad ass so go play like one and beat the Spurs and Tim Duncan.
Austin - Austin, Tx
New Suns fan...I think the Suns can still go all the way....
Kyle - PHX!
the suns will win uif they can make manu drive right.everyone know when he has the ball he's going left theres no doubt. i liked coach d's comment that "were gonna bust em up" if they come out and play the way they have inthe first half of game's 1 and 2 the whole game the spurs have no shot.
GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!
IN 6
Daniel Rivera - Diamond Bar, California
Suns will win the series in game 6 4-2. WHERE YOUR PURPLE UNIFORMS.!!!!!!
JESINVEGAS - LAS VEGAS
IF LEANDRO DOESNT SCORE GET HIM OUT I LIKE VIRACEK ON MANU ANYWAYS GO SUNS...
alyssa - campbell, ca
Die Hard SUNS FAN!!! (and an extreme hater of the spurs!!) I dont care what anybody says about the suns being 0-2, they only need ONE away game win!!!! and the fact that it didnt come in game 1 or 2 doesnt mean anything. They need to keep there offense solid and not let the third quarter eat them alive. We may not be a great defensive team but thats not whats killing us. Its the ice cold offense coming out of halftime. One game at a time and right now all that matters is GAME 3! Bell, Diaw, and Barbosa, need to have a big game and really make there mark on this series. I believe in my team 100% we are better and we want this way more!!! Suns in 6! GO SUNS!!!
Malcolm Bouchee - Chicago, Illinois
If Barbosa gets hot and Stoudemire doesn't go cold in the second half (i.e. Game 2) we should always beat the spurs.
BIG DAME - SCOTTSDALE,AZ
its going down tonite !!!!! manu ....its on tonite buddy ! none of that flopping crap , and big durty kurt thomas ...u know u cant stop amare and shaq is too big for you . all we have to do is shut down manu and parker ! who caes if duncan has 40 points ? they can't win if u cut the head off the snake ! and thats parker and manu ! i think it should be a good game but once we get far enuf ahead we wont make those same mistakes we did in san antonio ! instead they are going to be the ones turning the ball over in the crucial points of the game ! its going to be crazy loud in there tonite ! i cant wait ....a hot dog at the game 5 bucks, a corona at the game 20 bucks, beating the spurs and winning the series ....PRICELESS !!!! LETS GO SUNS !
Joel - Peoria
The suns WILL win this series!!!!
Tyson - SE AZ
I am sitting here watching game 3. This is sickening! The Spurs are exposing all the Suns weaknesses, which we find out now, are MANY!! I have been a Suns fan for 25 years, this series is over. Get out the brooms. NOBODY will beat the Spurs this year in a 7 game series, Period!!
Dor - Phoenix
Well possibly after watching tonight's game (and I am still watching), for some reason, I already have a sad finale... we are not going to make it... we are truly going home after game 4... But if we luckily have a game 5, still we will not be able to make it to game 6... This is how sad I feel right now... D'Antoni just couldn't stop them from scoring. The strategy is old and they know it... They have an answer to every move the Suns make... Popovich deserves the honor for the excellence that he has shown and for making this team the greatest of all time... They may or may not win this particular playoff, but to me, they are true champions in every sense of the word because of what Popovich has done... Hoping the future Suns will learn from the great Popovich. What a remarkable coach he is!!!!
Ron -
Dan... if you worked for White Star Shipping company, you would still be saying the Titanic is the greatest ship ever built. We all want the SUNS to win, however, based upon how they are playing, that is very unlikely to happen. It's like the old definition to the word: 'insanity'..."keep doing it the same old way and expecting different results". Steve Kerr has some tough changes to make.
As we have been saying for years and years... 'wait until next year'
Adrian - Baton Rouge
Will someone PLEASE learn how to play defense against a pick and roll. If you can't do that, you HAVE to go zone! It's so frustrating to have the same thing kill you every play, on multiple games!
joe - phx
San Antonio 115
PHX 99
We need to get rid of SHAQ!!!!
txan4life - ATX
Yeah, I give the suns credit, they do have a squad, but, no heart. I mean, c'mon - Down 3-0 to our spurs. I know its not over yet, but just dont see it happening this year for the suns.
bigfan - phx
Suns is done. We dont deserve to win after game 3 lost. Nash was useless tonight.
deb - dallas
what a sickening game--I have lost all hope but will watch and pray for my Suns on Sunday--I think Dor is right -it will be a sweep. Why in the heck didn't Nash try any 3 pointers or any more field goals? let them foul him--maybe then we'd have gotten somewhere. Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker are great players--our guys just forgot they were great also. Shaq needs free--throw lessons. I agree I don't like Shaq hack fouls, but it is legal. I have never been wild about that trade, and I do miss Shawn Marion.
deb - dallas
PS fouling Shaq cost us 8 points. 58% free throws is pretty disgusting compared to their 85%. if Shaq had made more free throws earlier--they would stop that crap. Notice nash never got fouled--they know who the 90% shooter is.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Beautiful article, Dan.
Thank you.
wyatt7 - Washington
don't post well ok. I am horrible at type'n what i really wanna express. Next year YES the suns will be better! They will have a great system for shaq. They are gonna do well. I know they have a cery small chance to win 4 in a row! I understand that. I DONT CARE!!! ONE game at a time! Barbosa knows he can score on them. Yes its late for that but OH WELL! All we have to do is win the next two. Then we come back home to our fans. PULL THAT OFF and FIGHT LIKE HELL IN 7. LIKE I SAID I DONT CARE ABOUT ODDS AND ALL THAT CRAP.
DON'T come in here and bash ON SUNS! Thi is a good team. D'Toni is a good coach. Just needs to use his bench more. He is doin a good job. Just need to take it ONE GAM AT A TIME! Yes i know im crazy. I'm not gonna give up. If any team could do 4-in row is this team! I know it. If im wrong SO WHAT. At least I AM keepin my head up!
Damian - San Antonio
I really hope Steve Kerr doesn't break up this team because it is the most exciting to watch. During the regular season I only watch my spurs and the suns. It is sad that there is such animosity between phoenix and San Antonio (though it really is only one-sided and will be until Phoenix beats SA) because I always find myself rooting for the Suns whenever the Spurs aren't playing.
DOR - Phoenix
Thanks Damian... I agree, the Suns truly are a great team whenever they want to be great. Each and every player's personality is so captivating you can't help but love them all.. But the consistency is still missing. I also think they are entertaining (minus game 3) whenever they hustle, move, play defense & offense aggressively and smartly, and rebound like crazy. But sometimes, you just couldn't help but be stunned, freeze, and get tongue-tied when they're there and yet not really, really there...
LIZ - Phoenix
I just want to say thanx. Thank you for a great season. With having a remarkable new addition to the team, you did very well. So shake off that loss. Even though you may have went home your no loosers to us. Your true fans. With more time to work together with Shaq, We could be unstopable next year. Go Suns!!
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