Phoenix 107, San Antonio 101 (Suns win series 4-0)

I am in shock. I think the entire NBA world is in shock.

From the series history between these two teams the experience, the rings, the cunning, all of these intangibles favoring the Spurs, it didn’t mean anything. Phoenix came into this series struggling to get by an injury riddled Portland Trailblazers team. I thought this would be an easy series for Spurs. I picked them to win in five and had countless statistics and history to back my prediction. I demeaned ‘The Commish’ when he picked the Suns to win in five. I laughed at it constantly, but boy, who is the one laughing now.

This is simply incredible.

Good for Phoenix, though. Good for Steve Nash, mostly. God, he is such a warrior. It still shocks me that he is 36 years old. He is a Top 3 point guard and a certified stud. The man got busted in the eye by an in adverted elbow by Tim Duncan, and the game changed in San Antonio’s favor. It was 6 point swing in a matter of minutes. The Spurs ended the 3rd with an 18-8 run to bring them within 1 when Nash went out. San Antonio had the Suns right where they wanted them. Nash was hurt, and Dragic wasn’t dropping ridiculous buckets. Grant Hill had a total of 2 points and Channing Frye was struggling from behind the arc. The Spurs were going to win this game and prolong Phoenix from going to the Western Conference Finals.

However, Steve Nash is still one of the best point guards in the league, regardless if he can’t see at out of one eye. Nash struggled at first, but after the Spurs were making a little run, he drained a pull up three to let everyone in Texas the Suns will not go quietly in the night. They are here to win a championship and are playing better than the Lakers right now. It is conceivable they could win. With Nash leading the way, anything is possible. He is so good. Anything the Spurs would do, Nash would come down, set a pick and pass for Amare Stoudemire, and Stoudemire drained it. They did it three possessions in a row. You can’t stop that. Seriously as a coach or player, you either allow Nash to drive the lane and cause more havoc or you force Amare to make jump shots. Needless to say, Amare stepped up to the challenge. He was draining jumpers like I have never seen before. He has slowly improved his outside game and now the whole world can see. The Suns are dangerous, baby!

The end of this game was crazy though.

After Jason Richardson hit a three to push the lead to 10 with 1:53 left to play in the 4th, everyone thought the series was over. Never underestimate the heart of a champion. The Spurs came out driving to the lane, forcing turnovers, and getting into the heads of the Suns’ psyche. In literally 29 seconds, San Antonio pulled within 4 and the whole arena was shaking. It was incredible. Surprisingly, Alvin Gentry did not call a timeout. Instead, Mr. Nash came down and found a darting Stoudemire cutting to the whole for a driving lay up to push the lead back to 6. There was still 1:14 left, and plenty of time for San Antonio. Tony Parker returned the favor by driving lane and finished strong at the hoop. Nash, of course fittingly nailed his patented running jumper to cancel out Parker’s drive. The game was almost over…well… until Amare did something very stupid.

After a timeout called by San Antonio, Tony Parker hit a rolling George Hill for a three and Stoudemire fouled him in the process of closing out on the shooter. Hill sunk the three to set up for a 4 point play. It was so stupid and completely unnecessary. The shot of Steve Kerr shaking his head after moments earlier raising his hands in triumphant victory was iconic. It seemed the Spurs could pull off a miracle and possibly gain all of the momentum needed to make this a series. Hill made the free throw and Gentry called a timeout with 16 seconds left to go. Next, Richard Jefferson did the worst thing in a Spurs uniform. He moronically fouled Grant Hill in a corner trap right by the division line. Why, oh why would you do something that stupid? Your team is down 2 and there is enough time to not foul. God, it pisses me off. That makes the difference in the playoffs. Plays like that. Hill is a terrific free throw shooter. Jefferson simply gave the Suns two points and put his team in a two possession hole. That was the game. The Spurs tried, but failed due to RJ’s inability to play High IQ basketball.

The Suns win and are on their way to play the Lakers in the conference championship. What a great time for the desert people. R2-D2 can come out of the caves. The Tusken Raiders are not going to hurt him anymore. They are happy for the time being.

The Spurs…well their dynasty is over. It was great while it lasted.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups.