* Suns coach Mike D’Antoni joined Burnsy on an abbreviated version of The 620 SportsLine.
* Just like beforehand, coach downplayed the significance of this first meeting between San Antonio and Phoenix, although he said the team did demonstrate a “backbone,” just like in last year’s Game 4 win in SA.
* D’Antoni emphasized Grant Hill’s role in the win, especially a key block on Tim Duncan down the stretch. He’d also like to see Hill matchup with Tony Parker the next time the two teams meet. As for Parker’s absence playing a key role in the loss for the Spurs, D’Antoni said the Spurs did miss Parker‘s ability to get out on the break, but they’ll have plenty of opportunities to face him this year.
* Of course, the Suns will face off with the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night, and D’Antoni says he and his team can empathize with the Mavericks, since both teams have “blown a couple (of championship opportunities),” and may have problems gearing it up in regular season with their eyes on the ultimate prize.
* And coach was very complimentary of Shawn Marion’s role in the win, even though his point total was low, saying, “if nobody cares who gets who gets the credit, then we’re going to be really good.”
• Audio: Suns coach Mike D’Antoni
Somebody asked me before the Suns/Spurs game if I thought the Suns could beat the Spurs.
Not only did I think they could win, I thought they would win. This is just the kind of game that makes it maddening following this team sometimes.
When inspired, when motivated, they can beat anybody, any night of the week. They get up for games like this - just like they got up for the Utah game at home and just like they weren’t up for the Hornets game on Saturday. That’s the maddening part - their inspiration comes and goes.
It slips in and out like the consciousness of a weary late night driver. Sometimes the bumps on the side of road are necessary to wake him back up. That’s the Suns.
So, if you want to look at the small picture - the here and the now - it’s a pretty impressive win.
Boris Diaw showed up and was an engaged, functioning member of the offense and the defense down the stretch. Amare Stoudamire played with some intensity. Grant Hill was key. They handed the Spurs their first home loss of the year. They’re now 2-1 during this big four game stretch of games against tough Western foes.
But you want to check out the big picture? C’mon. It’s still December right? They didn’t have Tony Parker, right? Trust me, if the Suns and the Spurs meet up again in the playoffs, nobody -and I mean friggin’ nobody - will look back at this mid-December game and offer it up as Exhibit A as to why the Suns can beat the Spurs in a seven game series.
In the big picture, it means nothing.
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