Previous week’s games
12/11/09 SUNS 106, Magic 103
12/12/09 Nuggets 105, SUNS 99
12/15/09 SUNS 116, Spurs 104
Next week’s games
12/17/09 SUNS @ Blazers 8:30 p.m., TNT
12/19/09 SUNS vs Wizards 7 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
12/21/09 SUNS vs Cavs 7 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
12/23/09 SUNS vs Thunder 7 p.m., My45
At about 10 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, December 15, Jeramie McPeek, VP, Digital for the Suns, of sent this tweet:
“Just realized the @Spurs are in the building practicing downstairs. I thought I felt a disturbance in the force.”
Yes indeed, the Galactic Empire was in town. The evil, hated, dirty, flopping, no good, trouble-causing, Empire was back. On this night, though, the dark side fell victim to the light speed attack of the Rebel Alliance.
In case you haven’t realized it by now, the dark side of the empire refers to the San Antonio Spurs (I want to vomit every time I type their name, so from here on out, they’ll be known as the Sterns (since NBA commish David Stern seems to be oh-so favorable toward them), leaving the Rebel Alliance to be played by the Suns.
Normally, I wouldn’t dedicate an entire Suns Spot post to one game, but I think it’s safe to say a victory over the Sterns is well worth it. This was a huge win for the Suns. You might say its just one game, counts as much as the rest, but that’s not true. A win over the Sterns is a huge confidence boost for not only the team, but also the fans. And, I don’t want to hear, “Oh, but the Sterns haven’t been as good this year.” I don’t care. A win over the Sterns is still a quality win, no matter their record, because as much as I hate to say it, come season’s end, the Sterns will be a tough playoff match-up for anyone. I’m happy to say most Suns fans seem to agree on the importance of this game, as US Airways Center was rocking Tuesday night.
It was more than just the win; it was how the Suns managed to get the win. They dominated the Sterns from the get-go, with their light sabers swinging, going up 11 at the end of one en route to a 67-point first half that had Phoenix leading by 15 at the break.
The Suns got the job done offensively with a combination of scoring in the paint, as Amar’e Stoudemire looked to be playing on a Nerf basket for most of the game, as well as lights-out shooting from the outside, with Goran Dragic nailing four of five three pointers — one right in the grill of Tony Parker. Can you believe he Sterns drafted Dragic for us?
On the other end of the court, the Suns’ defense showed some grit and hustle. Stoudemire was beastly on the boards, pulling down 14 rebounds. In addition to the rebounds, he had three steals, one on Tim Duncan in the fourth that led to a Dragic layup that essentially sealed the victory for Phoenix.
The Sterns’ Richard Jefferson, Manu Ginobili and Parker were held in check. Combined they totaled for 26 points on 31% shooting. That’s simply amazing. Hats off to Jared Dudley and Dragic, who played stellar defense on the night, helping to contribute to the poor play of three out of four of the Sterns’ big four. In past years, Phoenix couldn’t contain Parker or Ginobili, let alone both. Add in this year’s addition of Jefferson, and it’s even more impressive.
To me, this game was a big deal. It was against the freaking Sterns! This is the only team that can rival the hatred I have for the Lakers (and I assure you, I absolutely hate the Lakers). I know it’s just one game and we’re still fairly early in the season, but roughing up a team that’s been very successful in recent years (one that Suns fans hate with a passion) is always a positive. Couple that with the Suns’ recent struggles, especially against top-tier teams, and this hard-fought victory over the dark side gives us a new hope.
