The window has closed for the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns have beat them 3 different ways in 3 different games. Tonight they were exposed. This team used to defend the basket. Even when perimeter players from opposing teams penetrated deep in the paint, "Timmy" or "The Admiral" would make them take very difficult shots. The fact is unless they get another long shotblocker, they cannot be the defensive team they used to be.
The pick-and-roll is destroying them. The Suns can simply space the floor. When the Spurs close out on them, they simply drive fearlessly to the basket. Sure, "Timmy" might get 1 or 2 per game, but the Suns will take 20 successful drives per 1 block anytime.
This team is playing well. However, I fear they will run into a buzzsaw with the length of the Lakers. The Lakers can stay at home on their 3-point shooters. Nash can get by Fisher, but will have to finish over Gasol, Odom, or Bynam, who are more athletic at this stage than Duncan and McDyess. Plus, as we have seen lately, size matters.
I fear the Lakers length, along with the NBA's unwritten mandate of "Kobe-Lebron Finals at any cost," will see the Suns' sparkling run come to an end. Unless, much like Orlando did last year with Cleveland, they so outplay the Lakers they offset the NBA's allegedly sanctioned biased officiating. That will be a tall order. Just ask the 2002 Kings.
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