Off to the Western Conference Semis

The Spurs have won because Tony Parker is fast, and because Manu Ginobili is a magician, and because Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward in the history of the NBA. --Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio Spurs has always been focused on defense. Thanks to the genius named Gregg Popovich. Few teams in the NBA followed the defensive principles of Pop to the Spurs. I am not a basketball guru but I can name a few of them, like the Detroit Pistons. Coming back to the topic. During a Spurs game, you will seldom experience flashy dunks and other flashy type of performance that will surely make it to the Top Play of the Week. Yeah, Spurs aren't flashy because their style of play is different from that of the Suns.

The Suns during the previous seasons are less focused on defense and are focused on playing better on the offensive end. But Steve Kerr, the Suns president and a former Spur, knew for certain that being good offensively can't carry a team to a championship. And so, the Suns gave up Shawn Marion and acquired Shaquille O'neal from the Miami Heat. Because of O'neal's bulky size, Kerr thought he would help heighten the presence of the Suns from the inside. However, the midseason acquisition backfired and resulted to the Suns' fourth elimination from the playoffs. And the culprit? Yes, the Spurs. "Every time we needed to close something out — a half or a game — they got the best of us," said Mike D'Antoni.

The Suns-Spurs series has been one of the most anticipated matchups this playoffs. One of the reasons is that both teams happened to have faced each other during last season's Western Conference semis. There were suspensions and calling of nonsensical names to other players that were done. And the Suns haven't forgotten any of those, which were [i think] made as excuses. But now, what excuse would the Suns make after the Spurs gave them their early vacation? Turnovers? Flopping? Well, whatever it is that made the Suns lose Game 5 to the Spurs, they're still one of the best NBA teams today and Steve Nash is one of the best point guards ever to play basketball. In the the series, the Spurs were simply better, maybe not in numbers but in staying calm in the face of adversity and on the intangible aspects of basketball.

After the Suns, the Spurs will head out Saturday in New Orleans and face Chris Paul & Co. The Hornets are younger than Suns, meaning more trouble for the Spurs. The big difference of the Hornets to the Suns is defense that is why they pose a bigger threat to the Spurs. Plus, they've got homecourt advantage and my goodness New Orleans is a lot louder than the Suns. More shouting, more boos... But despite all these, the Spurs will survive. =)

Spurs Finish Off the Suns

The San Antonio Spurs are off to the Western Conference semi-finals and the Phoenix Suns playoffs race ends at the Alamo City. With all the emotions happening inside the Alamodome, Game 5 of the Suns-Spurs series felt like it was the NBA Finals. Tony Parker reacted very well against the Spurs pouring in 31 points, while Tim Duncan added 29 points and 17 boards. Manu Ginobili who only had 8 points but has made two of the most important foul shots of the game. It was a game truly deserved by the defending champions. The next game of the Spurs will be on Saturday against the New Orleans Hornets.

“I can’t believe that was a first-round matchup. I’m thrilled it’s over," said Gregg Popovich of Game 5. Yea, even I can't believe that was first-round matchup. The intensity of the Suns is just overwhelming sometimes that the Spurs need to match that same intensity on each and every game. But it is the fourth time the Suns are ousted by the Spurs from the playoffs. I know it will hurt them even more, but that's just the way a game goes, either you win or you lose. This time, the Suns lose again. The Dallas Mavericks are quite on the same page as the Suns, as they were ousted by the Hornets 4-1. So,the end is here for the Suns and Mavs who've made big acquisitions during the midseason. For the Suns it was Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for O'neal. And for the Mavs, it was Jason Kidd in exchange for Devin Harris and DeSagana Diop. As for the fate of the two coaches, Mike D'Antoni [Suns] and Avery Johnson [Suns], I really have no idea what will happen to them. The New York Knicks, however, are showing their interest on D'Antoni.

KB24 Brushes Off the Nuggets

Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and the rest of the Denver Nuggets are off to an early vacation after being swept by the LA Lakers 4-0. Even if the Nuggets lost 101-107, they've definitely put up a good fight against the Lakers. As usual, Kobe Bryant dominated the scoreboard with 31 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Lamar Odom finished with a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. And Pau Gasol helped by adding 21 points. For the Nuggets, it was the usual Allen Iverson-Carmelo Anthony combo. This combo didn't work with KB24, who is as determined as ever to take his team to the Finals. But this I'm sure of, the Nuggets didn't quit.

I Have No Doubts

Fuel - it is what the San Antonio Spurs needed to win Game 5 and the Phoenix Suns gave it to them on Game 4. Of course, Steve Nash & Co. were embarrassed after the Game 3 loss to the Spurs, which was like a smack on the face. And so, retribution came upon the Suns' 105-86 win against the NBA defending champions yesterday. Sure, the Suns are pumped up in winning at the AT&T Center, but it was more than fuel that they gave to the Spurs. It is the feeling of wanting to take back what's been taken away. Sure, I saw Parker and Duncan smiling as the Orange Dome echoed with boos. They were just actually taking it all in. The Spurs aren't the type of team who drools over their failures, they accept it. They don't usually give up especially if they know, they still have a lot more to give. They accept each and every challenge given to them as a team. Pop does not need to tell or remind everyone on the team about what to do on Tuesday. The Spurs will win this series, I have no doubt about that.

“They had a great reaction. Now, it's time for our reaction,” said the Spurs' Frenchman, Tony Parker.

Boris Diaw outshined Shaquille O'neal during Game 4. But who would have thought, O'neal woke up at the right side of the bed and contribute 14 points and 12 boards to the Suns. He was great, I admit. But I'm not taking back what I said about him that he was a mistake. And oh by the way, I hope he always puts his feet on the ground.

Suns' Flame of Hope Still Alive

3-1? I knew it would happen. The Phoenix Suns are not the type of team who likes losing especially to the team that kept from getting the ring, they so wanted. They've had the biggest trade of season, replacing Shawn Marion for the Shaquille O'Neal. During Game 4, the Suns showed the Spurs who and where they're playing against. This time, the Suns were the ones who never trailed and the Spurs were locked down to just 82 points. Boris Diaw, a good friend of Spurs' Tony Parker, hit a lot of jumpers and were just plainly great right from the start of the game. “He was phenomenal,” D’Antoni said of Diaw's outstanding game 4 performance.

Game 4 was like the turnaround of game 3, this time the Suns owned the game. I guess, they learned from the past. “I was just embarrassed. I was really, really embarrassed at how I played and how my team played, and I couldn’t sleep,” Raja Bell said of the Suns embarassing loss to the Spurs on Game 3. Amidst all the boos from Planet Orange, the Spurs kept their cool and despite the loss, I still felt a tinge of confidence from them especially from the Big Three and Big Shot Rob. “I don’t mind being public enemy No. 1 here,” Robert Horry said. Now, the Spurs are going back to San Antonio and I bet the Alamodome is going to be as loud as ever. Go Spurs!.. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that the Spurs dominate game 5.

“If the Suns lose this series, D'Antoni is on the brink of termination as the Suns' coach