Rose colored glasses from San Antonio and other misc comments

[Greg Popovich]

Over the past year or so, I have posted on this forum because I honestly enjoy discussing Suns basketball--my second favorite team next to San Antonio.

I missed the first half of the game tonight and only was able to hear the last few minutes of the game.

For what its worth--an unbiased opinion...

Sounds like the Suns had a great first half and came out flat in the third quarter. Strange that this happened to the Suns tonight--this has been Spur' trademark all year. Then, in the fourth, the team makes a galliant come back and if there was a minute or two left in the game--or a free throw here and there that had not been missed--the Suns would have put together a fantastic comeback that would have totally reversed the emotions and heartache felt by you guys writing on this message board.

I guess what I am saying is something that Pop stated very emphastically when the Spurs lost to the Mavs in the WC Semi Finals a couple of years ago. The difference at this level of competition is so slight--a ball missed here or there, a foul here or there, and the entire complexion of a game could change for either team.

With this said--this is very much a series. It took a double overtime game here in SA along with a Tim Duncan prayer to win the game for SA.

In game two--the Suns came back after being down by a fairly large number to come within 5 in the waning moments.

I fully expect the series to go seven.

Now as for other Spurs fan who post here especially during game threads...

I can't tell you how much it irks me to see opposing teams' fans post during a game thread when the host team is losing. You can tell that Suns fans are obviously upset. Your little chirppy comments about how well the Spurs made a play is pouring salt into the wounds of really good basketball fans who have never done a damn thing to you.

Do you remember how we used to feel years ago when the Lakers had our number and used to make fun or SA? We developed a hatred for the Lakers that exists to this day by many Spurs fans.

Respect this message board, for Gods sake. Have some class. You would hate it if Suns fans went on Spurstalk and pulled this crap whenever the Spurs lose.

And yes--we will lose.

And Spurs fans will be just as upset as Suns fans.

Sorry for the rambling comment here. I was going to write this tomorrow but after reading the anguish and deflated feelings by some many people here, I felt compelled to tell you...this will be a great series and will go all to the way...

 

[arwillan]

thanks for the words to the spurs fans, it was getting a little out of hand before the series began. i don't think we'll see 7 games though. the spurs always manage to find a way against us. they know how to hustle for that one ball, or sink that one free throw, or make that one extra pass. we simply do not. rather sad.

 

[The Man In Black]

Since you really know the Spurs Greg...then you'd know that they don't want a repeat of what happened in 2004 against the Lakers. A reverse sweep. And with Pop pushing the buttons, I expect this series to go 6 at most. But it wouldn't shock me if the greatness of Steve Nash somehow makes this series more close.

 

[elindholm]

Hey Greg,

My guess is that this series will be over quickly and that the Spurs trolls will quickly fade away. The sad truth is that the Suns simply don't have the mental toughness to be a worthy playoff opponent to a team like the Spurs. Last year, the Spurs got a lot of extra help from the officiating, but it doesn't even seem like they need it this time around. Bowen is still dirty and Ginobili is still a flopper, but it's harder to hate the team when they can win fair and square, as they are doing now.

What this series is showing us is that the Suns' championship window closed with the Game 5 suspensions a year ago. Acquiring O'Neal was a desperate attempt to pry the window back open, but that has failed. The Suns will now go through a period of sad irrelevance, much like the current Kings, and no one will bother to troll on this board anymore.

I have appreciated your thoughtful contributions and wish you well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Hey Greg,

My guess is that this series will be over quickly and that the Spurs trolls will quickly fade away. The sad truth is that the Suns simply don't have the mental toughness to be a worthy playoff opponent to a team like the Spurs. Last year, the Spurs got a lot of extra help from the officiating, but it doesn't even seem like they need it this time around. Bowen is still dirty and Ginobili is still a flopper, but it's harder to hate the team when they can win fair and square, as they are doing now.

What this series is showing us is that the Suns' championship window closed with the Game 5 suspensions a year ago. Acquiring O'Neal was a desperate attempt to pry the window back open, but that has failed. The Suns will now go through a period of sad irrelevance, much like the current Kings, and no one will bother to troll on this board anymore.

I have appreciated your thoughtful contributions and wish you well.

I know you didn't mean this to be funny, and I'm not laughing at you here e, but for some reason I just chuckled a little after I read this.

 

[Bong]

Spurs get all the homecourt calls in games 1 & 2. If the Suns get an evenly officiated game they don't lose to the Spurs again.

 

[arwillan]

Spurs get all the homecourt calls in games 1 & 2. If the Suns get an evenly officiated game they don't lose to the Spurs again.

Today's game was perfectly well officiated. they fouled KT out of the game and called flops as they came. it was even as it will get.

 

[Bong]

We all have our opinions but if I took a poll I'm guessing 80 - 90% of us here say that the Suns got the short end of the stick from the refs in games 1 & 2.

 

[arwillan]

We all have our opinions but if I took a poll I'm guessing 80 - 90% of us here say that the Suns got the short end of the stick from the refs in games 1 & 2.

i doubt that highly. most people here realize that there was pretty good officiating in both games.

 

[newfan101]

Hey Greg,

My guess is that this series will be over quickly and that the Spurs trolls will quickly fade away. The sad truth is that the Suns simply don't have the mental toughness to be a worthy playoff opponent to a team like the Spurs. Last year, the Spurs got a lot of extra help from the officiating, but it doesn't even seem like they need it this time around. Bowen is still dirty and Ginobili is still a flopper, but it's harder to hate the team when they can win fair and square, as they are doing now.

What this series is showing us is that the Suns' championship window closed with the Game 5 suspensions a year ago. Acquiring O'Neal was a desperate attempt to pry the window back open, but that has failed. The Suns will now go through a period of sad irrelevance, much like the current Kings, and no one will bother to troll on this board anymore.

I have appreciated your thoughtful contributions and wish you well.

Sigh ... Sadly, you are 100% correct.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I've never seen an entire fan base so destitute.

 

[Bufalay]

We all have our opinions but if I took a poll I'm guessing 80 - 90% of us here say that the Suns got the short end of the stick from the refs in games 1 & 2.

I think whenever 2 equally matched teams play the refs decide the game about 70% of the time. Refs in the NBA suck ass.

 

[mojorizen7]

No beef with the zebras tonight.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Hey Greg,

My guess is that this series will be over quickly and that the Spurs trolls will quickly fade away. The sad truth is that the Suns simply don't have the mental toughness to be a worthy playoff opponent to a team like the Spurs. Last year, the Spurs got a lot of extra help from the officiating, but it doesn't even seem like they need it this time around. Bowen is still dirty and Ginobili is still a flopper, but it's harder to hate the team when they can win fair and square, as they are doing now.

What this series is showing us is that the Suns' championship window closed with the Game 5 suspensions a year ago. Acquiring O'Neal was a desperate attempt to pry the window back open, but that has failed. The Suns will now go through a period of sad irrelevance, much like the current Kings, and no one will bother to troll on this board anymore.

I have appreciated your thoughtful contributions and wish you well.

You got a dark turn of mind there.


Suns will prevail.

 

[Folster]

You got a dark turn of mind there.


Suns will prevail.

What in the Suns history would make you think that they will prevail? All of us have seen this same sad story play out year after year. Somehow this year will be different? This series was over when we gave away game 1.

The truly depressing thing is that I had come to terms with the idea that the Suns would not be making a title run this year. The Suns fooled me once again by bringing in Shaq and handling San Antonio with such ease during the regular season. Well at least we won the season series with San Antonio.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

What in the Suns history would make you think that they will prevail? All of us have seen this same sad story play out year after year. Somehow this year will be different? This series was over when we gave away game 1.

The truly depressing thing is that I had come to terms with the idea that the Suns would not be making a title run this year. The Suns fooled me once again by bringing in Shaq and handling San Antonio with such ease during the regular season. Well at least we won the season series with San Antonio.

Because if we don't prevail, as a Phoenix native, I think I am obligated to commit Seppuku.

 

[NDNACE]

Thanks for the condolences Pop, I would be saying the same thing if the Suns were up 2-0 because I wouldn't want to say anything that would jinx my team. Someone needs to take a stethoscope into the Sun's lockerroom before Game 3 and check if the Suns have any heart. Spurs 4-1.

 

[sLapzsHaQ]

Yep, Suns, no heart..

 

[jandaman]

A miracle or a divine intervention will need to happen for the Suns to win this in 6.

Playing with heart and passion will get the Suns the win in Game 7.


Not changing a thing will see the Suns ousted in 5.

 

[Louis]

I've never seen an entire fan base so destitute.

Must be the penny pinching ways of Sarver rubbing off.

 

[Bong]

Shaq has brought titles to LA and Miami so I have no doubt that he will do the same for Phoenix.

 

[Referee]

I think whenever 2 equally matched teams play the refs decide the game about 70% of the time. Refs in the NBA suck ass.

Being a basketball official I cringe when I see Bennett Salvatorre officiating. He blows more calls and then gets an attitude so as not to look bad... I am not a fan of NBA officials. They are not the show. Lets the ballers play!

 

[Referee]

Thanks for the condolences Pop, I would be saying the same thing if the Suns were up 2-0 because I wouldn't want to say anything that would jinx my team. Someone needs to take a stethoscope into the Sun's lockerroom before Game 3 and check if the Suns have any heart. Spurs 4-1.

If Phoenix loses badly watch Shaq throw everyone under the bus... Pat Riley included.

 

[Trophytown]

If Phoenix loses badly watch Shaq throw everyone under the bus... Pat Riley included.

As a Laker fan, i know its coming. Shaq hates to lose but he detests being shown up on the national stage to San Antonio. If the Suns lose 4-1 or end up being swept he will position himself at the nearest bus stop. As soon as a Leandro or Boris are in tossing distance, perhaps even D'Antoni, he will grasp, wind up and toss at the first arrival of a bus.

Countdown: Shaq will make comment in the media about running the offense thru him.

 

[SirStefan32]

Shaq will make comment in the media about running the offense thru him.

Since he and Nash seem to be the only guys who want to win, I think running offense through Shaq might be a decent idea.

Anyway, what's frustrating is that they have the ability to run over the Spurs, but as Eric said, they have no mental toughness.