What with the World Series Red Sox, the Super Bowl Patriots, The Bruins playing well against the Canadiens in the playoffs, its hard to keep up with the Celtics---I know they are doing formidably---
Tony Parker had 31 points, and Tim Duncan added 28 as the Spurs held off the Suns 92-87. The Spurs outscored and outlasted Phoenix in this Game 5 that felt like a Game 7 at the AT&T Center, coming through with enough plays down the stretch to secure a 4-1 series triumph and oust the Suns from the postseason for the fourth time in six seasons.
Follow the team all season long with the 20-Second Timeout blog by Bill Schoening, The Radio Voice of the Spurs. Bill has been honored by the Associated Press with its “Top Texas Play-by-Play Award” four times and has over 20 years of play-by-play experience.
*Timeout Archive: March 08 | February 08 | January 08 | December 07 | November 07 | October 07
During warmups on Tuesday night, I had a feeling Tony Parker was in for a big night. He had a steely look of determination in his eyes.
When you know you're going up against one of your best friends AND a two time NBA MVP in a closeout game at home, it's probably not difficult to maintain focus. Much of the talk after Game 4 was the defense that Boris Diaw, Parker's longtime buddy, had played on him.
Parker accepted the challenge and went out and scored 31 points and dished out eights assists in the Spurs' 92-87 series clinching victory. During the second half of Game 5, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni decided to put Raja Bell on Parker. That didn't work either.
On the defensive end, Parker accepted the assignment of guarding Steve Nash, and helped hold the slippery guard to 4-of-16 shooting and only three assists. Parker knows an even more difficult assignment waits as the Spurs get Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets. It may be a battle of the two quickest point guards in the NBA.
I bet we'll see that look in Tony's eyes again in New Orleans.
Now that Manu Ginobili has been handed the NBA Sixth Man Award, we turn our attention to the role the reserves will play in this first round series. Even though Ginobili and Kurt Thomas come off the bench, it wouldn't be surprising to see those two players get as many minutes or more than some starters in the opening round.
Ginobili, often called the Spurs' "X" factor, is a major source of energy at both ends of the floor and impacts the game in a variety of ways. Whether he's taking charges, diving for loose balls, driving into the lane, or finding an open teammate on a fastbreak, Ginobili's presence creates problems for the opposition.
Thomas is a solid veteran who can play low post defense, grab rebounds, set solid screens and hit a mid range jumper or two.
Ime Udoka has shown to be a tough defender, can match up with taller opponents, and can hit the corner three, ala Bruce Bowen.
Jacque Vaughn is the ultmate professional. He'll play hard nosed defense, make smart decisions, and run the offense while Tony Parker gets a breather.
Brent Barry, just coming off a lengthy hiatus, still can fill it up from the outside and has excellent passing skills. He could play an important role, especially if Phoenix uses more zone defense to cut off the Spurs penetration into the paint.
If Shaquille O'Neal or Amare Stoudamire get the Spurs' bigs in foul trouble, the Red Rocket (Matt Bonner) could be called on to play some interior defense and hit a straightaway three pointer or baseline jumper.
Prior to the regular season finale against Utah, I asked Manu Ginobili what the Spurs could do to avoid the scoring droughts that had stymied them late in the season. Without hesitation, Ginobili said, "We can play at a faster pace, get some baskets in transition and pick up the tempo."
The Spurs then went out and outscored the Jazz 20-6 in fastbreak points, taking advantage of Tony Parker's quickness and court vision.
It wasn't just Parker. Many of the Spurs were in the running mood, as the ball moved up the court quickly after turnovers and defensive rebounds.
It might not be realistic to expect the Spurs to score 20 fast break points each game, but there's no doubt an effective transition game will help the Spurs score some needed baskets against a team like Phoenix in the first round.
Last weekend when the Spurs visited Portland it was a homecoming for Ime Udoka, Damon Stoudamire and Paul Castro. All are former employees of the Trail Blazers.
Castro, also known as Publio, has entertained Spanish speaking Spurs fans with his passionate, energetic radio play by play for 14 seasons. Castro is a native of San Miguel De Allende but spent a big chunk of his childhood in Oregon. He attended Oregon State during the Brent Barry days in Corvallis, and was later hired by the Blazers to do Spanish radio play by play.
Whenever I'm positioned near Publio during a broadcast, I love to watch his reaction to what's going on in the game. I've seen him throw up his hands if an official misses a call or pump a fist for a clutch basket.
The NBA life fits Castro very well. He has many friends in every city we visit, and a loyal following here in San Antonio and throughout South Texas.
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cheranne
Yes. Go Spurs Go
I hate Shaq, and Steve Nash is always licking his hands when he shoots a free throw(how nasty that is sic!!)
What is the point of Shaq even playing basketball,theirs no talent to him,he stands under the basket and there
it is.
Sometimes he dives into the crowd! He would be better playing football,they'd all be the same big size.
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cheranne
... but it's funny...
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mstar1
What with the World Series Red Sox, the Super Bowl Patriots, The Bruins playing well against the Canadiens in the playoffs, its hard to keep up with the Celtics---I know they are doing formidably---
Maybe we'll be seeing you in a few weeks
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ex70sHouston
The Suns lose.
They are a quality team that has class. See you next season.
PS. You'll lose as long as you have Shack. He's the loser.
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cheranne
Spurs turn off Suns
Tony Parker had 31 points, and Tim Duncan added 28 as the Spurs held off the Suns 92-87. The Spurs outscored and outlasted Phoenix in this Game 5 that felt like a Game 7 at the AT&T Center, coming through with enough plays down the stretch to secure a 4-1 series triumph and oust the Suns from the postseason for the fourth time in six seasons.
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cheranne
Follow the team all season long with the 20-Second Timeout blog by Bill Schoening, The Radio Voice of the Spurs. Bill has been honored by the Associated Press with its “Top Texas Play-by-Play Award” four times and has over 20 years of play-by-play experience.
*Timeout Archive: March 08 | February 08 | January 08 | December 07 | November 07 | October 07
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Tony's in Fine Form
by Bill Schoening | April 30, 2008
(Harry How/Getty Images)
During warmups on Tuesday night, I had a feeling Tony Parker was in for a big night. He had a steely look of determination in his eyes.
When you know you're going up against one of your best friends AND a two time NBA MVP in a closeout game at home, it's probably not difficult to maintain focus. Much of the talk after Game 4 was the defense that Boris Diaw, Parker's longtime buddy, had played on him.
Parker accepted the challenge and went out and scored 31 points and dished out eights assists in the Spurs' 92-87 series clinching victory. During the second half of Game 5, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni decided to put Raja Bell on Parker. That didn't work either.
On the defensive end, Parker accepted the assignment of guarding Steve Nash, and helped hold the slippery guard to 4-of-16 shooting and only three assists. Parker knows an even more difficult assignment waits as the Spurs get Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets. It may be a battle of the two quickest point guards in the NBA.
I bet we'll see that look in Tony's eyes again in New Orleans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manu with his Sixth Man award.
(Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
Now that Manu Ginobili has been handed the NBA Sixth Man Award, we turn our attention to the role the reserves will play in this first round series. Even though Ginobili and Kurt Thomas come off the bench, it wouldn't be surprising to see those two players get as many minutes or more than some starters in the opening round.
Ginobili, often called the Spurs' "X" factor, is a major source of energy at both ends of the floor and impacts the game in a variety of ways. Whether he's taking charges, diving for loose balls, driving into the lane, or finding an open teammate on a fastbreak, Ginobili's presence creates problems for the opposition.
Thomas is a solid veteran who can play low post defense, grab rebounds, set solid screens and hit a mid range jumper or two.
Ime Udoka has shown to be a tough defender, can match up with taller opponents, and can hit the corner three, ala Bruce Bowen.
Jacque Vaughn is the ultmate professional. He'll play hard nosed defense, make smart decisions, and run the offense while Tony Parker gets a breather.
Brent Barry, just coming off a lengthy hiatus, still can fill it up from the outside and has excellent passing skills. He could play an important role, especially if Phoenix uses more zone defense to cut off the Spurs penetration into the paint.
If Shaquille O'Neal or Amare Stoudamire get the Spurs' bigs in foul trouble, the Red Rocket (Matt Bonner) could be called on to play some interior defense and hit a straightaway three pointer or baseline jumper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uptempo Helps
by Bill Schoening | April 17, 2008
D. Clarke Evans/Getty Images
Prior to the regular season finale against Utah, I asked Manu Ginobili what the Spurs could do to avoid the scoring droughts that had stymied them late in the season. Without hesitation, Ginobili said, "We can play at a faster pace, get some baskets in transition and pick up the tempo."
The Spurs then went out and outscored the Jazz 20-6 in fastbreak points, taking advantage of Tony Parker's quickness and court vision.
It wasn't just Parker. Many of the Spurs were in the running mood, as the ball moved up the court quickly after turnovers and defensive rebounds.
It might not be realistic to expect the Spurs to score 20 fast break points each game, but there's no doubt an effective transition game will help the Spurs score some needed baskets against a team like Phoenix in the first round.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kudos to Publio
by Bill Schoening | April 9, 2008
Paul Castro
Last weekend when the Spurs visited Portland it was a homecoming for Ime Udoka, Damon Stoudamire and Paul Castro. All are former employees of the Trail Blazers.
Castro, also known as Publio, has entertained Spanish speaking Spurs fans with his passionate, energetic radio play by play for 14 seasons. Castro is a native of San Miguel De Allende but spent a big chunk of his childhood in Oregon. He attended Oregon State during the Brent Barry days in Corvallis, and was later hired by the Blazers to do Spanish radio play by play.
Whenever I'm positioned near Publio during a broadcast, I love to watch his reaction to what's going on in the game. I've seen him throw up his hands if an official misses a call or pump a fist for a clutch basket.
The NBA life fits Castro very well. He has many friends in every city we visit, and a loyal following here in San Antonio and throughout South Texas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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