| Suns' Dream Season Ends in Game 5 to Spurs Authored by J.T. Magee - June 2, 2005 - 3:52 am
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The Suns kept it close, leading at half-time by one point, but shot 6-19 from the field in the third quarter, losing their lead and the game to the Western Conference Champions 101-95. The game was a battle between All-Stars Amare Stoudemire and Spur Tim Duncan. Duncan led the Spurs with 31 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and 3 blocks. Stoudemire finished with 42 points, 16 rebounds, seven offensive, and 4 blocks. Each stat was game-highs.
Duncan didn’t have as great a game as Stoudemire statistically, but his team contributed more. Every single player scored at least once. Shooting guard and All-Star Manu Ginobili scored 19 points, snatched eight rebounds, dished out six assists and collected 3 steals. Point guard Tony Parker ended with 18 points on 8 of 21 shooting. Small forward Bruce Bowen scored nine points but forced Sun Joe johnson into some bad shots and denied the entry pass into the post on many late possessions. He stumbled once when trying to guard Johnson on a drive, but other than that did a great job of not allowing Johnson to get easy shots.
Reserve Robert Horry, signed specifically for the playoffs, scored just seven points, but grabbed 11 rebounds, three offensive--including a crowd-silencing offensive put back--dished out five assists and collected three steals.
If it wasn’t for STAT’s heroics in games 4 and 5, the Suns would have been watching the Eastern Conference Finals along with everybody else. Stoudemire took 32 of the Suns' 87 field goal attempts, connecting on 16 of them. He shot 10 of 11 from the free throw line and even attempted a desperation three pointer near the end of the game. He was the only Sun besides swingman Jim Jackson (3-5) to shoot over 50% from the field.
Steve Nash, becoming the first guard under 6-4 since Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy to win the MVP Award, finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Shooting guard and soon-to-be (restricted) free agent Joe Johnson scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and collected four assists, but shot 6 for 17 from the field. Power forward Shawn Marion disappeared once again, scoring eight points, grabbing 10 rebounds and collecting two steals. Jackson scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds and collected two steals. The other two Suns, swingman Quentin Richardson and reserve center Steven Hunter, were unable to help out. They combined for one point, three rebounds and one turnover.
The Suns kept it close throughout the first half. They had their defensive deficiencies, but didn’t allow the Spurs to break the game open. For each run the Spurs made, the Suns would make one of their own. Then the third quarter happened. Even though the Suns shot 6 of
19 from the field, they made just two of their first
15 field goal attempts in that quarter.
San Antonio, like any great team, took advantage, leading by as many as 13 points. Once the scoreboard read 78-70 at the end of the quarter, everyone knew it, but wouldn’t admit it: the Suns’ magical run was over. They pulled within two points after a Jackson three pointer but never got closer.
The two stats that helped bury the Suns were their field goal percentage and their fast break points.
They shot just 43%, same as their other three losses.
They also shot just 5 of 17 from the arc. In the regular season and in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Suns could not be stopped from the arc, usually getting good looks off Nash’s penetrations and kick outs. San Antonio would have none of it. If it wasn’t for Johnson’s injury in Game 2 of the Mavericks series, this could’ve become one of the greatest Western Conference Finals in a long time. The only problem is you can’t depend on ifs, ands, or buts. The Suns couldn’t adjust. That’s all there is to it.
To be honest, this could possibly be the exact same matchup next year. Phoenix will build on their momentum through the off-season, courting centers that can run the floor and give STAT a break from playing against centers. Players like Milwaukee’s Dan Gadzuric and New Orleans’ Chris Andersen are possibilities.
They may also get a stud in the draft, but who they draft may determine what they do in free agency.
Re-signing Joe Johnson remains #1 on their priority list.
Let’s not take away from what the Suns accomplished this season. Phoenix had the third largest turnaround in NBA History, going from a lottery team into championship contenders. They brought back the run-n-gun style of play from the late 80’s that made basketball so much fun to watch. Nash may not be the MVP next season, but his teammate might. Stoudemire will continue to improve and could shape what the future centers may look like: big enough to play center but quicker than the prototypical center and more dominant. If he adds different angles to his midrange jumper (think Duncan’s bank shot), he could become one of the hardest players to stop on offense.
And let’s not forget his block on Duncan. You know which one I’m talking about. Plays like that are just glimpses of what he may become on defense.
They will bring back almost everyone that contributed in the season. Backup point guard Leandrinho Barbosa is coming into his make-or-break year. Jackson will become the Sixth Man. Hunter, if he opts out of contract and re-signs, can become one of the better defensive centers off the bench. And a message to the Suns’ brass: bring back Paul Shirley, just so everyone can enjoy his blog, or, in his words, his “daily journal.”
One other note. Please, please, please don’t stop running. Even in the off season. Just keep running into next season. If they can get a rookie that can contribute and a center or two to come in and help out Stoudemire, then they will back up STAT’s promise to Nash last summer: Phoenix will be arranging a few parades. |
