Game 5: Short-Handed Suns vs. 1996-97 Spurs

Surreal. That’s how my friend, Brian, described the game as we watched going into the 4th quarter. It was like gazing into Tim Duncan’s bulging eyes after he is charged with a foul…or into T Mac’s eyes any time. Suns fans confused me further with their hockey ref outfits and bicycle helmets. I tried desperately to click my heels hoping to return to the days of Spurs dominance. No luck. So, I proceeded to order another Crown & Diet.

With the Spurs down by as many as 16, you would have never known the Suns were missing Stoudamire (sorry, Boris). The Suns must have read my blog, because they used my “Keys To The Game” for the Spurs.

• Set the tempo early. The Suns did just that. In fact, they held the Spurs to 13 measley points in the 1st quarter.
• Keep Timmy out of foul trouble. The Suns proceeded to draw a couple of fouls from Duncan to send him to the pine early on.
• Get Thomas in Foul Trouble. Well, I don’t have a good one for this “key”, but when Matt “Red Rocket” Bonner is in a key playoff game, you know the Spurs did something backwards.
• Rebound the friggen ball!!! A fairly even match-up in this category. Did I mention the Spurs only scored 13 points in the 1st quarter?

AP Photo/Jason Babyak

Despite having the ugliest shot in the history of the NBA, Shawn Marion contributed 24 points, and pulled down 17 boards. With the Spurs nearing certain defeat, they proceeded to chip away at the Suns’ lead with 3’s. Ginobili, 3. Ginobili, 3. Finley, 3. Ginobili, 3-point play (thanks, Nash). And from his signature sweet spot in the corner, Bowen nailed a 3-pointer with 36.4 seconds left putting the Spurs up 84-81 — the first Spurs lead since the first quarter.

So, the Spurs make it rain after going 3-for-17 from downtown. And although my eyes were glued to the TV, I didn’t even realize that Manu Ginobili scored 26 points. I spent more time yelling at him for missing layups and throwing the ball away that I failed to notice the wizard in action. Sorry, Manu…and thank you. You too, Bruce…even though you’re a dirty thug. *rollseyes* And please, guys — no more ‘96-’97 imitations. It just reminds me of the Gawd-awful fiesta logo.

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