azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Paola Boivin, David Vest and Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
Suns owner Robert Sarver was absent from his courtside seat for much of Monday's game, but that doesn't mean he wasn't enjoying the atmosphere.
Sarver and Assistant General Manager Mark West spent much of the evening in the upper level, greeting fans, signing autographs and exchanging high-fives. Sarver has said that he enjoys the energy level in the high-altitude, less-expensive seats.
"Fans from all sections were flocking to wherever he went - almost like following a rock star," said Anthem resident Ken Eck, who sat in section 219. " I think the fact that an owner would come all the way to the upper nosebleed section makes people feel good."
Pat Comus, a season ticket holder from Phoenix, said Sarver's "generosity in giving time and attention to the fans, especially those in the upper level, reflects well on the man and he deserves credit, even more so than (Dallas owner) Mark Cuban's gifts of locker-room toys to players."
Uh-oh
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said Sarver laid out his expectations heading into the season. He expected 40 wins. He would be happy with 45. Fifty would make him ecstatic.
"We gave him 62 and I'm afraid he's going to be comfortable with that."
Big 'D' or little 'D'
Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said he doesn't plan to change his starting lineup for Game 2.
Unless Johnson changes his mind, Erick Dampier will again be asked to stop a smaller but quicker Amaré Stoudemire, who tallied 40 points and 16 rebounds in Game 1.
Mavericks reserve Jerry Stackhouse suggested Tuesday that Johnson rethink that decision.
"That lineup is difficult for (Dampier)," Stackhouse said. "I think we've got a decision to make whether that's going to be how we approach it. If we go to our smaller units, we're a lot more flexible and can do some different things."
Stackhouse called Monday's whipping an "aberration."
"We're not in a funk," he said. "We're not feeling sorry for ourselves. Nothing. We flat out got our (butts) kicked. . . . I think we'll come out of it."
Stop the runs
Mavericks point guard Jason Terry said Dallas needs to change how it plays transition defense against Phoenix.
"We just got to get matched up with whoever," Terry said. "You can't worry about getting back and getting matched up with your man. You have to find the closest 'threat,' which is what we like to call it. We'll get that done (tonight)."
Free throws
Stoudemire became the 10th Suns player to score 40 in a playoff game.
Asked how to stop him, D'Antoni was stumped. Once a defender gives any ground to help on Steve Nash, he said, Stoudemire exposes him in a hurry.
"I'd get some life insurances because he's one of the strongest, fastest guys I've ever seen," D'Antoni said."
• Shawn Marion maintained his status as the only NBA player to record a double-double in each playoff game this year.
"I'm the only guy to do a lot of stuff," he said.
• Monday's 25-point margin was Dallas' third biggest playoff loss in its history.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0511seriesnb0511.html
The Arizona Republic
May. 11, 2005 12:00 AM
Suns owner Robert Sarver was absent from his courtside seat for much of Monday's game, but that doesn't mean he wasn't enjoying the atmosphere.
Sarver and Assistant General Manager Mark West spent much of the evening in the upper level, greeting fans, signing autographs and exchanging high-fives. Sarver has said that he enjoys the energy level in the high-altitude, less-expensive seats.
"Fans from all sections were flocking to wherever he went - almost like following a rock star," said Anthem resident Ken Eck, who sat in section 219. " I think the fact that an owner would come all the way to the upper nosebleed section makes people feel good."
Pat Comus, a season ticket holder from Phoenix, said Sarver's "generosity in giving time and attention to the fans, especially those in the upper level, reflects well on the man and he deserves credit, even more so than (Dallas owner) Mark Cuban's gifts of locker-room toys to players."
Uh-oh
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said Sarver laid out his expectations heading into the season. He expected 40 wins. He would be happy with 45. Fifty would make him ecstatic.
"We gave him 62 and I'm afraid he's going to be comfortable with that."
Big 'D' or little 'D'
Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said he doesn't plan to change his starting lineup for Game 2.
Unless Johnson changes his mind, Erick Dampier will again be asked to stop a smaller but quicker Amaré Stoudemire, who tallied 40 points and 16 rebounds in Game 1.
Mavericks reserve Jerry Stackhouse suggested Tuesday that Johnson rethink that decision.
"That lineup is difficult for (Dampier)," Stackhouse said. "I think we've got a decision to make whether that's going to be how we approach it. If we go to our smaller units, we're a lot more flexible and can do some different things."
Stackhouse called Monday's whipping an "aberration."
"We're not in a funk," he said. "We're not feeling sorry for ourselves. Nothing. We flat out got our (butts) kicked. . . . I think we'll come out of it."
Stop the runs
Mavericks point guard Jason Terry said Dallas needs to change how it plays transition defense against Phoenix.
"We just got to get matched up with whoever," Terry said. "You can't worry about getting back and getting matched up with your man. You have to find the closest 'threat,' which is what we like to call it. We'll get that done (tonight)."
Free throws
Stoudemire became the 10th Suns player to score 40 in a playoff game.
Asked how to stop him, D'Antoni was stumped. Once a defender gives any ground to help on Steve Nash, he said, Stoudemire exposes him in a hurry.
"I'd get some life insurances because he's one of the strongest, fastest guys I've ever seen," D'Antoni said."
• Shawn Marion maintained his status as the only NBA player to record a double-double in each playoff game this year.
"I'm the only guy to do a lot of stuff," he said.
• Monday's 25-point margin was Dallas' third biggest playoff loss in its history.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0511seriesnb0511.html
