Veteran columnist Randy Hill is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com. We’ve arrived at that point in the NBA’s playoff circus where achievement lies in a wounded heap on the doorstep of expectation. via Fox Sports
“But we treated it like a Game Seven. “We just stayed focused and came back strong in the fourth quarter and did what we had to do. Now we need to get some rest, we have some old guys on this team.”
The San Antonio Spurs marched into the second round of the Western Conference playoffs with a 92-87 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. via Reuters
When teaching ways to defend the pick-and-roll the first topic to be covered is typically this: It takes five guys to defend a good ball screen properly. via ESPN
After a double overtime Game 1 loss, the Suns were gladiators; but for a gaffe or two and some San Antonio luck, Phoenix essentially beat the World Champions on the road. via True Hoop
“I cleared my mind, and I just laughed”
It’s no surprise when Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash does something cool. His crazy no-look passes, off-balance shots and clutch playmaking are practically expected, though still impressive. via Inside Bay Area
“I think it’s important to be excited that we have a little life and fight and try to go from there. “We’ve just got to not give up, not give in to a summer that everyone thinks we’re destined to.”
Matt Paulson , Tribune Here’s how much time the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday put into preparation for today’s Game 4 of their first-round playoff series with the Suns: They didn’t even practice. via East Valley Tribune
“In terms of what impacts winning, beyond great players, coaching is the most impactful”
There’s Kobe Bryant and LeBron James , Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard , Kevin Garnett and Steve Nash . via Charlotte Observer
“I have dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a little boy, and I am ready to start living this dream.”
The D.J. & A.J. show is over at Texas. On Wednesday, sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin and junior shooting guard A.J. Abrams both announced plans to declare early for the NBA draft, but did not hire agents. via SI.com - NCAA Basketball
April 23, 2008 By Barry Janoff Steve Nash of the NBA’s Phoenix Sun is not only an all-star guard, but a filmmaker with an environmental message to tell, as well. via Technology Marketing
“We’ve proven we’re more than capable of beating them, and beating them here. Game 1 only reinforces that feeling”
Steve Nash was feeling much better Monday. The flu bug that had dehydrated and sapped his energy for the better part of four days was finally beaten back. via East Valley Tribune
“When you’re trying to win a championship, there’s always going to be a great team to get through”
Thoughts drive Amare Stoudemire year-round, but he insists they aren’t thoughts of the Spurs. via MySanAntonio.com
“I’m not going to change my game”
Enough was enough. For the better part of three hours, Raja Bell had been forced to chase Manu Ginobili under back cuts and around screens, through two overtimes and countless knees, slaps and elbows. via East Valley Tribune
“We had the game won a few times and just weren’t tough enough or disciplined enough to make every single play when it counted”
Associated Press Midway through the first quarter after missing two jumpers, Tim Duncan threw the ball up yet again, then held his arms wide. via Chicago Tribune
It went down to the final games, but the pairings for the NBA Western Conference pairings now are official. via The Orlando Sentinel
The San Antonio Spurs begin defense of their NBA championship on Saturday when they host Shaquille O’Neal and the Phoenix Suns. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer
