spirit check

[bigfoot]

How many honestly believe at this point that we will still win this series?
Maybe its because of the team's bravado last night; I now feel oddly calm and confident we will. I've always been scared of the Spurs in the playoffs but I feel different today. Is it just me?

 

[SajSuns]

We can still win, but we have to bring the "A" game and not get distracted by BS.

 

[Arctic]

I see this going to game 7. But, I'm not comfortable calling the series one way or the other. If the Suns do win game six, the Spurs will come back with a vengence in game 7. After a loss the Spurs usually play like monsters (with game 5 being an exception). We'll have to wait and see.

 

[jbeecham]

I have very little confidence that the Suns will have the energy to win game 6 after going all out with 6 guys in game 5. Even if we had won game 5 playing that way, I would've expected us to lose game 6. Game 6 being in SA is also a huge factor. Stern has basically killed our chance to win and destroyed my will to watch.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Spurs will win Game 6....

 

[az1965]

We are playing some real good defense. Our offense needs to get on track. We are not getting much out of Raja, Junior, Marion (except last night), and nothing at all from Barbosa.

But, I'm not afraid of the Spurs. They are very beatable. In fact, we blew them out and we won in a gritty fashion on their home court. I'm 100% confident that had Amare and Diaw played last night, we would have blew them out again.

I'm confident about next game but of course you cannot claim a win or loss until the game is played but be sure Suns are going to bring their toughness and grit to this game.

 

[Chaplin]

Suns will win game 6. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. They will win.

 

[az1965]

I was very depressed last night after the loss. When there were 5 min left and we were still leading by 8, I started to become confident we can pull this one out.

But I feel very confident going into game 6!

GO SUNS!!!

 

[Treefiddy]

I believe the Suns can still win the next two games. The past two games they've played have shown their fire and desire to win outmatches the Spurs. There's no question in my mind that the Suns would have won had Amare and Diaw been with them on the floor.

 

[Arctic]

I believe the Suns can still win the next two games. The past two games they've played have shown their fire and desire to win outmatches the Spurs. There's no question in my mind that the Suns would have won had Amare and Diaw been with them on the floor.

I'm not so sure. i think the Spurs had a bad game because they are a team of study. they have a game plan for every team they play. Last night's game threw them for a loop because they were unprepared for the line-up they were facing. if amare and diaw are in, it would have been a completely different game and the result may have been the same.


or they might have been blown out.

it's all spilled milk now.

 

[Nasser22]

I have some fear. Last night's loss took a lot out of me, but I still believe we have a chance. Amare needs to come up big and make up for being suspended. Him and Diaw have some extra rest so they need to carry us.

 

[dodie53]

i still believe the suns can win this series..

 

[Ryanwb]

Feelin a little low

 

[msdundee]

It's really odd. San Antonio has the history, and -- in the opinion of many -- they're every western team's stumbling block on the way to the Finals. But after seeing the first five games in this series I think the Spurs are a whole lot LESS intimidating. That's mostly because of what they apparently feel they need to do in order to win. It's obvious because they don't usually pull out the bag of tricks if things are going well for them.

 

[bigfoot]

OK. From the responses, about 60% still believe. That's good enough, I guess, given the circumstances.
GO SUNS, GO!

 

[Toothbrush]

I still believe.

 

[arwillan]

the suns are capable of winning tomorrow, but i think amare's energy will make him play poorly, causing him to get into foul trouble or causing him to try and do too much thus staggering the ball movement. i think the same for diaw. his energy will cause him to be overly agressive and to do those little foot shuffling travels he has done so well. spurs still in 6, thanks to stern and the inability of a small ball team to close out games (eg game 5).

 

[Cheesebeef]

here's my spirit (lengthy, but IMO worth the read):

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=90989

 

[Skkorpion]

The Spurs should win, but we can. If we win game 6, we WILL win game 7 because a game 6 win will change this unlucky and soft franchise forever.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The Spurs should win, but we can. If we win game 6, we WILL win game 7 because a game 6 win will change this unlucky and soft franchise forever.

totally agree. although, if by the grace of Satan, we won Game 6 and then lost Game 7 on a last second Horry three, I would stop watching basketball forever.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Spurs should win, but we can. If we win game 6, we WILL win game 7 because a game 6 win will change this unlucky and soft franchise forever.

I thought game 4 put the Suns over the hump only to see the NBA give HC advantage back to the Spurs with the suspensions in game 5. It's almost like there is a dark cloud hanging over the Suns. That foul Horry gave to Nash happened with just seconds left on the clock. IMO, the Suns should have been up 3-2 going into tomorrow. If the Suns should win tomorrow I almost expect Stern to somehow try to void it.

 

[elindholm]

totally agree. although, if by the grace of Satan, we won Game 6 and then lost Game 7 on a last second Horry three, I would stop watching basketball forever.

ROFL, I can't get over how Shakespearian that would be. Seriously, half of this board would probably commit suicide.

 

[TheHopToad]

I am still confident, but nervous about game 6. I'm pretty sure that if we can pull it out, then we will dominate game 7. I'm not so sure that I will last that far though.

I'm sure I am not alone in this, but this series has taken an emotional and physical toll on me. I've been on edge for over a week. I've snapped at my wife, been impatient with the kids, and stressed at work. I haven't had a good night's sleep since the Lakers' series, and that seems like an eternity ago.

However, through it all, I can't seem to get enough of it. Somehow, through all of the turmoil my heart senses that there is something extra special about this Suns team and I have developed an intense bond to them as a fan. If they lose, I won't be watching any more basketball until next season. I need the break, and frankly I really don't have the time for it. I've been scheduling the rest of my life around the Suns and inconveniencing my family and friends in the process. In the end, if we get through this and win a championship, it will have been worth it.

So, to answer the question, my spirit has gone from one extreme to another. I hope to end the weekend on a high note, but if not then I will quickly shove it aside, get on with my life, and wait for next year.

I know....it's just a game.

 

[Cheesebeef]

ROFL, I can't get over how Shakespearian that would be. Seriously, half of this board would probably commit suicide.

I would never be able to take basketball seriously again. I would have to just laugh at that point... and then probably be put in an insane asylum because I would never be able to stop laughing at the sheer absurdity of the moment.

 

[azirish]

There is a huge difference between CAN and WILL. I'm sure the Suns can win, but they have to play at a very high level.

I know it sounds like broken record, but a lot depends on the refs. The Spurs typically get away with a lot more rough play at home than they do on the road. However, I think the refs are more conscious of this and may call the game tighter. MAY, but it is far from certain.

The hardest part is the way the bang band "charge or blocking foul" is called. It seems like the Spurs get those calls almost every time the Suns go to the basket, which is why Leandro seems so frustrated. Granted it is hard for refs to be sure if the defender's feet are set, but the Spurs have a reputation for being good on defense so they ALWAYS get the call. The Suns have to understand that if they are going to win.