Suns were built to conquer nemesis, Mt. Spur

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Web Posted: 05/05/2007 10:56 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

PHOENIX — Nice of you to make it.

With the Golden State Warriors having dismissed the Dallas Mavericks — and David Stern hunting for an address to mail Dirk Nowitzki his MVP trophy — the much-anticipated three-team Best of the West cage match has been downsized to a party of two. That will do just fine for the Spurs and Phoenix Suns, who have long had eyes for each other.

The Spurs and Suns will share the floor this afternoon at US Airways Center for the start of a best-of-7 series that seems second round in name only. Between them, they have 127 victories, five current All-Stars, a pair of two-time MVPs, the Sixth Man of the Year and even his runner-up.

"In order to be the best," Spurs guard Michael Finley said, "you have to go through the best."

Which is why more than a few hang-up-and-listen experts have proclaimed the teams' Western Conference semifinal the de facto NBA Finals. The atmosphere will be frenzied, the pressure title-thick, but the participants also are wise enough to know neither team will be leaving this series carrying the Larry O'Brien trophy.

"From our perspective, we can't get ahead of ourselves," Bruce Bowen said. "We have to make sure we understand there should be the appropriate fear given to this team because of what they've accomplished."

The Spurs also know they faced a similar second-round challenge last season, and that one didn't end so well. After enduring a decade's worth of frustration and futility against the Spurs, the Mavericks knocked out their Texas rival in an epic seven-game series.

The Suns would like to be the next to scale Mt. Spur. Since Steve Nash returned to Phoenix, the Suns have won 200 games the past three seasons, including the playoffs. During that same time, however, Phoenix is just 4-11 against the Spurs, including its loss in the conference finals two years ago.

"They have a little revenge against us, so we can't forget that," Tony Parker said. "Last year, Dallas really, really wanted to beat us. I think Phoenix has the same mentality."

Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni tried to dismiss the notion that his team wants to play the Spurs — "If their bus doesn't come or breaks down, and they don't get here and have to forfeit, we'll take it" — but the Suns do appear to be better equipped than they were two years ago.

The difference between Phoenix's defense then and this season is "night and day," said one Western Conference scout, and the improvement has a lot to do with the addition of guard Raja Bell, an All-Defensive first-team selection.

Slowing the Suns, however, remains the Spurs' biggest challenge. The Spurs appreciated the preparation Denver gave them in the first round but also admit the Nuggets' offense isn't nearly as prolific as that of Phoenix, which led the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage. In their past meetings, the Spurs have focused on keeping the Suns off the 3-point line even at the risk of allowing center Amaré Stoudemire to have his way inside.

"You have four 3-point shooters out there at one time," Robert Horry said, "and one hell of a horse (Stoudemire) who can jump out of the gym."

Horry said the Spurs' confidence level is "great," given their past success against the Suns, as well as their most recent performance against the Nuggets in the first round. But he doesn't think the Spurs hold much of a psychological edge over Phoenix — even if they win today and immediately steal home-court advantage.

"That would push us more than it pushes them," Horry said. "Because once you get a win on somebody's home court, you get that hunger, and you want to go out and (get) more."

Unlike last year's series against Dallas, the Spurs seem to share more respect with Phoenix than contempt. But given the stakes and the teams' long playoff history?

"The first game is usually the feeling-out game, and from there, the handshakes are more limited," Finley said. "By Game 4, we probably won't be talking to any of the guys.

"That's what playoff series are all about, and I'm looking forward to this one."