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 A Fine Line Between Success and Failure in the Playoffs
Posted By: Gary Bender |
 Raja Bell and Amare Stoudemire enjoy a moment during the Suns' victory on Sunday.(NBAE Photos) |
It still comes down to making shots. Tony Parker - as hot as he was in Game 3 - cooled off, Manu Ginobili likewise looked human and Tim Duncan was not his usual dominating self. In the previous game, the Big 3 scored a combined 84 points, on Sunday they were held to 42. The trio had 90 points in the first game of the series.
All in all, the Defending World Champions looked vulnerable. Yet, remember they had a cushion to work with, needing only one win in the next four games. Now, they must capture one more victory in the next 3 outings. The Spurs are a team that thrives on pressure. That’s when the mental toughness kicks in. They have seen everything during their run to four titles in nine years and they have a ton of pride. They are a team that knows how to play and how to win. However, if the Suns get this series to a game 6 - look out!! The Suns could make history with a back door sweep!
Hey, let’s make some history!!
Comments
Madz Victor - Manila, Philippines
Dear Mr. Bender, I agree with you. You know guys, believe in the saying that THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME. Suns will be the first team to get back from a 0-3 and back door sweep Spurs. Again, THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME and that is the SUNS who will make History.
kristel velasquez - philippines
i do really prayed to GOD sincerely! before i was just hoping suns would do better, but now i prayed for a chance!. u knw.. a big faith to him really works! i'm hoping that SUNS should watch the movie "FACING THE GIANTS" it's a true story. u will see there how do they worked well as a team for GOD..
Now... we just dnt need to hope for another game but to thank him that every game is safe. SUNS did a very good job! you can do it guys! GOD BLESS =D
Smurfo - Flagstaff
I believe
Patrick - Makati, Philippines
If we win games 5 & 6, hopefully, i'm sure there will be history after game 7! Too good to be true but who knows, it might happen! Go SUNS!!!
Gerald - Philippines
I say Its about time!! Thank you
Bobby - Maricopa
If the suns continue to play the way they have over the last 4 games, they will not pull off a turn around. If the suns players played like they should, nash, amare, hill, shaq, we might have a better chance. Honestly we have something to prove on Tuesday, and we need to blow out big throughout the game. O and i hope the suns remember not to fall asleep at half time :P
Andy - HK
Game 4 is nothing but expected... the spurs went to sleep after that 3-0 cushion... it's just about time the suns show some pride, good game suns but look out for game 5... the spurs always plays a dominant game after loses like this.
DoR - Phoenix
WE would love to see the Suns MAKE HISTORY, Mr. Bender. How lovely would that be for all the Sun's fans... All we need is the same intensity and passion that the Suns proved once again in the Phoenix Arena just like Sunday... Let's hope Bell, Diaw, Amare, & Nash get going and keep on going until the end of game 5... They proved in Sunday's game that they can do it... Go Suns!!!
Popoy Ferrer - Philippines
When 0-3 crawls to 4-3 happens
Tom - Phoenix
The Suns haven't proved anything yet. The Spurs wanted to win at home. Watch for Horry and Bowen to play signigicant dirty minutes tomorrow night. Also watch for hack-a-Shaq anytime the Suns get any momentum. It sure killed the Suns in game 3. Can you foul a player if they are out of bounds?
JJ - Houston
We still have hope. But I hate to ask: Do we have an answer to the Spurs' Pick and Roll? Do we have an answer to the Spurs' frequent fouls on Shaq? Will Bell and Boris step up in Game 5, 6, or 7? Too many factors. I am crossing my fingers...
Suns Fanatic - FL
Suns can make history by winning the next three games, someone has to do it, which better team than the suns. Analysts say it is impossible for the suns to win this series. I disagree, lets take it one game at a time, instead of looking at it as 3-1. Suns should just focus at one game at a time and make it 3-2 on Tuesday, and take it from there. They know they can do it, all they have to do is to be aggressive, defensive and believe in each other. Go SUNS...
Raz - Prescott Valley
Gentlemen: Champions aren't those who never fail,
they are those who never quit! Talent is one thing, but passion for what you are doing is the driving force. Play the next 3 games with all the passion you have, and you WILL be victorious!! You must want the championship more than anything!!!!! You're the team that can break the "Curse".
Go Suns!!!!!!!!!!!
MICHAEL - texas
WE HAVE THE BEST TEAM IN NBA!!GO SUNS!!GO!!
JOHN S. - Surprise Az
Once again here I am bloging when I said no more, but it's just to much to stay away. Well, well, so Diaw finally decides it's time to act like a player, I'm happy, but couldn't it happen sooner? Does it mean he has been dogging it all season? Okay, we play two good games, and half of another, we still can't get excited until we win in San Antonio. If we do, this series is going to get real interesting. I bet the TV people are saying their prayers that our Suns win Tuesday. I'm hoping we do, can't wait to see Popovich sweat.
Pat - Chino Valley
The Suns have been known to "make history" many times. Believe this can be done. It is out time. The Suns proved that they can outplay the Spurs...I do not believe that the Spurs gave them game 4 as some of the Spurs fans seem to think.
Doesn't matter where the game is played if the Suns continue to play like they did in Game 4.
Go Suns -- You can do this.
et - phx.
GO SUNS.WE BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT
Allan Bayhon - British Columbia
I think many people forget that Boris Diaw was very instrumental in their playoff run going into the Western Conference finals of 05-06 when they bowed down to Dallas. I just don't know why it took D'Antoni 3 years to finally much up someone big against Tony Parker and put Nash on Bowen, who is not much of an offensive factor.
The Suns need somebody to fill in the shoes that Marion left. So far, Boris is the only one who could fill that up. He's got low post presence, he could post up and defend as well in the paint. He's got a big long hop that takes him from the free throw line deep into the paint with just one spin. And he's also got point guard skills.
Cary - Goodyear, AZ
I just want to make a sugestion that the Suns wear their PURPLE road jerseys. It seems as though they almost always lose when they wear those ORANGE jerseys. I bet if someone did the research you would see that the Suns win more games in purple than orange. Your defender can pick you up alot better when your blazing like a traffic sign. Lets make history. Back-door sweep baby!!
rr - phillipines
its time to make a history!! beating the spurs in game 5-7!! ill go in this line up
ONEAL-C
STOUDAMIRE-PF
BORIS DIAW-SF
RAJA BELL-SG
STEVE NASH-PG
Dan Phantom1 - Las Vegas NV
Great Game Guys!!! Let's take it one game at a time. Win the next one and the pressure's all theirs... We can win in San Antonio, aint no big Theng! REMEMBER DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!
Remember some of you may not ever get this chance agian... This is what you worked for as a Basketball Player all your life!!! Go get it!
Gabriel - Tempe
I said that we don't look the series as a 3 to one but as a 3 to 3 so the next game and the next game........ where history happen.
Gerald - Pasay,Philippines
I ask everyone to pray and believe!! We can make History. Go BOris Diaw and Raja Bell!
what will it take to win? - HACK A SHAQ....
BORIS DIAW CAN MAKE A MARQUEE ...HE CAN BE IMMORTAL IF HE MAKES EVERY OFFENSIVE REBOUND WITH HACK A SHAQ
SHAQ SHOULD TRY TO PUT THE BALL IN NO MATTER WHEN...BUT THE REBOUND SHOULD BE SUNS...
STAY CLOSE TO TIMMY DUNCAN DIAW AND GET THAT BALL BACK.....
I MEAN..HACK A SHAQ WILL FAIL ONLY THEN....
OTHERWISE 4 FOULS AND 3-4 POINTS OUT OF IT..WILL KILL THE MOMENTUM
PLUS U GUYS NEED TO ADAPT FAST FAST FAST EVERY NOW N THEN
THATS THE ONLY WAY TO BEAT THESE IDIOTS
Drew - Australia
The Suns need to get into the officials ear, let them know that a foul on Shaq when he doesn't even have the ball near him is intentional/flagrant. See if the Spurs keep that up if Shaq gets free throws and Suns keep possession. Apart from that, intensity the whole game through. Don't fall asleep at any moment. No high-fives and self congratulation until the clock has finally hit 0.00. Keep that intensity and Suns will win. Go Suns!
El Guero - San Antonio, TX
The Suns have to play the same way they did the last game with Boris Diaw creating mismatchs and Raja and Leandro shooting the threes. The difference is that Amare should have a big game tonight and that will make the difference. Go Suns.
Stephen - Philippines
Where "we can make history" happens! GO! GO! GO! Suns!
I'm A Believer -
Where "never happened before" happens.
SHON - JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
woot!!!! go suns!!!!
wangyonglove502 - china
We always love you!
NO LOSER!
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