what does a win/loss v. Spurs mean?

[playstation]

I'm excited for the game tuesday night and all, but in terms of what it means right now, i can't say all that much.

if the suns win, i won't think they've 'arrived' or anything like that. in fact, to me, they've already proven themselves in the regular season. to impress me more, they'd need success in the playoffs.

if they lose, i don't think that'd tell me much either. a regular season loss to the spurs is not a precursor of anything. in other words, i don't think this game has any more meaning than any other. i want to see the suns win, of course, but there wouldn't imo be any psychological advantage from doing so.

by the way, the first 5 minutes of the raptors game was poetry in motion. also, i don't know if amare, or michael jordan for that matter, could be any more dominant over a five minute stretch than what amare was: 15 points, a couple boards, a couple blocks, hitting shots from all over the court, including a jordan-esque flip over his back while getting fouled by 3 people.

 

[Azlen]

Minnesota got whipped on pretty good in San Antonio and I don't think anyone is ready to write them off yet.

A win would be great but a loss might show them they still have a lot of work to do, which may not be completely bad.

 

[green machine]

I'd say if the Suns score alot of points it doesn't matter if they win or not, because it will show that this offense cannot be stopped by even the best of defensive teams. That's what I'm looking for, can we score on these guys?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Couldn't agree more Adam.

 

[sly fly]

The game is another stepping stone in which PHX tries to get the CYNICS off their back.

The team is 24-3. Yes, 24-3. Yes, 24-3.

If they lose, they're 24-4.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The Suns are the only team in the NBA not to have a double digit loss. The ability to play well even on off nights is what I am looking for.

I think the pressure is on the Spurs to win. It's their home court to defend.

 

[Joe Mama]

The Suns are the only team in the NBA not to have a double digit loss. The ability to play well even on off nights is what I am looking for.

I think the pressure is on the Spurs to win. It's their home court to defend.

I'm with you Chris. Of course I would love for them to win tomorrow night, but as long as the Suns aren't blown out I'll be happy. All three of their losses so far have been close. They have an incredible record right now, but I still don't think they are head and shoulders above the top teams in the West. They are however the only team in the NBA that I expect to beat inferior opponents virtually every time.

Basically if the playoffs started today it wouldn't surprise me if the Suns were ousted in the first round. If/when they lose to a team they are clearly better than in the regular season I will be very surprised though.

Joe Mama

 

[scotsman13]

Basically if the playoffs started today it wouldn't surprise me if the Suns were ousted in the first round. If/when they lose to a team they are clearly better than in the regular season I will be very surprised though.

Joe Mama

the playoffs were to start today the suns would be playing portland and i wouldnt be surprized to see the suns win in 4 games.

then in the second round we would face the winner of the dallas/ sacramento (i think that dallas would win over the kings, kings are getting to old and i dont think that webber can match up with dirk). if we go up against the dallas i think we will beat them in 6 games. and then for the western conferance finials i think that it will be the spurs beating the sonic in 7 games.

then it would be suns vs. the spurs for the wcc

 

[jibikao]

Well, before that Sonics game, many people are waiting for Suns to lose so that they would feel GREAT about their predication (that Suns is overrated and having an easy schedule). Suns won in the end.

I think this Spurs game is not as important as Sonics game even though Spurs is definitely a team to beat.

I agree with Joe. I really want this game to be a CLOSE game. If Suns lose, I want Suns to lose within 5pts. Suns has not got blown out this year. Their total loss of the season is 11 FREAKING pts.


In fact, many Spurs fans think it's a great test for them. So, I think the pressure is definitely on Spurs more than on Suns.

Jimmy

 

[Chaz]

It is a good regular season measuring stick, nothing more.

Hopefully it is a well played (and called) game to watch.

A win validates the Suns somewhat and a loss will embolden their detractors but I think it would be a mistake to read too much into it one way or the other.

I agree with Chris, pressure is on the Spurs to defend their home court.
I don't think the Spurs fans are taking the Suns seriously but I think the Spurs players should and will.

The bottom line is if the Spurs win they are still the top team (as many experts are saying already) if they lose then it is just the regular season.

Don't expect a lot of respect for the Suns untill they prove themselves in the playoffs.

 

[jibikao]

Oh...and I want Suns to score over 100, no matter it's win or lose.

Not too many teams can score over 100 when VS. Spurs. If Suns can do that, then people may start feeling good about OFFENSE-FIRST teams. That also could mean that Suns' offense is definitely unbeatable.

Jimmy

 

[SirStefan32]

If they win, it will show me that they can beat quality teams with a different style. If they lose, it will tell me they have a lot of work ahead of them.

They might get away with taking it easy against teams like Denver and Toronto, but they will not get away with it against San Antonio.

 

[George O'Brien]

More than points, what I'm looking for is how well the Suns maintain their composure against the Spurs defense. Sometimes the Suns go through periods when they get lazy on offense and stop moving and passing the ball. Against the Spurs, the Suns have to make sure they take good shots and not get frustrated.

The second big test will be how the Suns defense Duncan. Gasol and Bosh gave the Suns a lot of trouble in the last two games and neither is anywhere close to being as good as Duncan. This will be a major challenge for the Suns speedball system.

If the Suns play hard for 48 minutes, they have a real chance of beating the Spurs. But they cannot afford lapses in energy.

 

[SirStefan32]

I wonder if Phoenix will change their starting lineup for this game.

Nesterovic and Duncan will kill Stoudemire and Marion in the paint. I'd put Hunter on Duncan and Amare on Rasho, with Bo getting some time against Duncan too.

 

[Chaz]

I wonder if Phoenix will change their starting lineup for this game.

Nesterovic and Duncan will kill Stoudemire and Marion in the paint. I'd put Hunter on Duncan and Amare on Rasho, with Bo getting some time against Duncan too.

I doubt it. They may sub early if they need Hunter but I don't think D'Antoni will change his approach to match the Spurs.

The Spurs will have a tough time matching up with the Suns on the other end and in transition.

When you are 24-3 why change?

 

[zett]

I agree George, the suns need to play 40+ min of great ball and 8 min of good ball to win this game. However I see this as being the end of our streak. I don't think it will be a statement one way or the other. I remember several years ago we took the season series from the spurs only to get swept in the playoffs against them. I don't doubt that we can win, I just don't think they are playing well enough to beat a team like the spurs right now

 

[SirStefan32]

Why change?

Because the only great team you've played was Minessota and you lost that game.

I don't know man, I might be too pessimistic, but I think San Antonio will run over Phoenix on tuesday.

 

[Chaz]

Why change?

Because the only great team you've played was Minessota and you lost that game.

I don't know man, I might be too pessimistic, but I think San Antonio will run over Phoenix on tuesday.

Yep, your pessimistic alright.

It is not like they were run over by Minnesota, they lost a close game. They game was decided on the Suns problem defending the pick and roll and Cassell's shooting. Just like the Kings with Bibby and Webber shooting.
I think the Suns have improved quite a bit since those two games.

I do worry about the Suns ability to get a rebound against the Spurs. If you can't complete the defense with a rebound you can't run. I am looking forward to seeing the matchup in styles.

The Spurs flaw has always been FT shooting and turnovers, that plays right into how the Suns like to play. The only way the Spurs will dominate the Suns is if they can slow the game to a crawl, take care of the ball, and shoot a lot of FT.

It will not be easy but the Suns have a very good chance to win I think.

 

[George O'Brien]

Why change?

Because the only great team you've played was Minessota and you lost that game.

I don't know man, I might be too pessimistic, but I think San Antonio will run over Phoenix on tuesday.

How many great teams are there?

From the beginning, I've contended that the Spurs are the best team in the NBA. A real key in this game is how the refs call it because if they leave their whistles in their pockets, the Suns have no chance. But if they call some fouls, the Suns should be able to score and make a game of it.

 

[Chaz]

I remember several years ago we took the season series from the spurs only to get swept in the playoffs against them. I don't doubt that we can win, I just don't think they are playing well enough to beat a team like the spurs right now

What year was that? You mean the one where we were missing two of our main players? The one where the Spurs won the Championship?
How about two seasons ago where we won the season series and took two games in the playoffs when we were way overmatched?

I don't see what that has to do with this season and the coming game.

If the Suns are not playing well enough to beat the Spurs on Tuesday who is? The Suns are toying with teams right now and still winning by double digits. Granted they can't toy around with the Spurs but the Suns have shown the ability to play at a very high level.

I am not one for predictions, I prefer to sit back and see how it turns out, but I am very optimistic about the Suns chances in this game.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I don't think there are any "great teams" anymore. The Spurs are possibly the best, but they could lose to any of the top 8 in the WC and I would not be suprised.

The Suns are close though, if they can keep the core together. We are the youngest team in the NBA after all.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It wouldn;t bother me if they lose. Do you really think they're going to be able to keep up this pace and run roughshod over teams that have been the class of the Western Conference for the past few years. Everyone should be happy with a season split while playing competitive ball against Minnesota, San Antonio, Sacramento, and Dallas.

 

[AZZenny]

I worry more about Nash's health than anything else - if he's so sick he has had to skip a couple practices, then he's still not likely to be 100% for the Spurs, and that could be our achille's heel. Other than that, seems this could be a good test of whether the youngsters really do know how to keep the accelerator floored the entire time, without coasting or getting impatient and careless. This game could have some useful lessons for the Suns, win or lose.

 

[jibikao]

I don't think there are any "great teams" anymore. The Spurs are possibly the best, but they could lose to any of the top 8 in the WC and I would not be suprised.

The Suns are close though, if they can keep the core together. We are the youngest team in the NBA after all.

I totally agree. I know Spurs is good but they do not dominate the way MJ and the Bulls did. Spurs lost to Lakers last year which is a huge letdown.

Jimmy

 

[myrondizzo]

i think that if JJ and Q get hot there is no way they can hang with us. and i think that after JJ's few game skid he should be hot and ready to fire. when is jake going to be back? he would be a huge help on duncan. Ithnk that JJ will shut down Ginobili. we have played really well on the road so i look for phx to keep it close and pull it out in the end.