The Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs are the antithesis of one other. Good vs. Evil, Light vs. Dark, David vs. Goliath, Fire vs. Ice, Ying vs. Yang basically any diametrically opposed statement out there has been used when referencing the match up of these two teams. The Suns play an uptempo game where the goal is to basically outscore their opponents through expert offensive efficiency. The Spurs on the other hand prefer to play a grind it out, bloody your nose style of basketball. When these opposing forces meet, expectedly drama typically ensues.

We all know the playoff history with these 2 teams in recent years. Starting in 2007, with possibly the most controversial series the league has seen in recent years. The images still come to mind of Nash’s bloody nose and having to sit out while they lost game 1 at home. Steve Nash getting kneed in the groin by Bruce Bowen in game 3 as well as Manu Ginobili getting a bloodied and bruised eye when he collided with Shawn Marion.Robert Horry shoving Nash into the press table in game 4. Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw taking one step on the court  leading to their suspensions for game 5. Tim Donaghy refereeing these games. Then there was the 2008 playoffs, when Tim Duncan made a three pointer to force double overtime in game 1. The series was defined by the ugly but effective strategy of “Hack a Shaq” resulting in Shaquille O’Neal shooting 64 free throws in the 5 game series. Shaq of course only made 32 (50%) and the Spurs once again prevailed. This rivalry was so intense that it allegedly prevented Spurs coach Greg Popovich from coaching USA Basketball, because of Jerry Colangelo’s distaste for anything associated with the Spurs.  

In the present, only 3 players are carry-overs from the wars in the playoffs with the Spurs (Nash, Stoudemire and Barbosa). The season series is split at one apiece. A Suns loss tonight could bring the Spurs within one game of Suns in the playoff standings. The possibility of a Suns vs. Spurs matchup is becoming more and more likely as the days progress…possibly a 3-6 match up. Per usual, the Spurs are peaking at the right time. However, this time so are the Suns. Tonight we will truly see if losing Robin Lopez kills any chances for a deep run by the Suns in the NBA playoffs this year. In my opinion, the playoffs start tonight. The Suns must show that they are an upper echelon team and dispatch the perennial thorn in their sides.