[NLSC Feature Article] The Final Four

by **Alvin** on Sun May 22, 2005 1:56 pm

It's the Suns vs. Spurs and Heat vs. Pistons. The Final Four slug it out for a chance to win the NBA championship. Will it be a VERY HOT Finals (Suns vs. Heat), or will it be a Champion vs. Champion match (Spurs vs. Pistons)?

Read the complete article here.

Post comments here.

And vote for the Finals matchup you would like to see.

by **Anthony15** on Sun May 22, 2005 2:06 pm

Pistons vs Suns

by **Colin** on Sun May 22, 2005 2:16 pm

Pretty good article, but Joe Johnson is the SF and Quentin is the SG. (Y)

Go Suns and Heat!

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Sun May 22, 2005 3:14 pm

Good read, nice work Alvin. (Y)

I agree with you on the Spurs/Suns series, but at this point I'm still leaning towards Miami to come out of the East.

by **Alvin** on Sun May 22, 2005 3:51 pm

Thanks Andrew!

i just read that Duncan might not be able to play Game 1 of the Spurs vs Suns series, and that might change the complexity of the series altogether.

@Colin
From Yahoo Sports
PG Steve Nash/Leandro Barbosa
SG Joe Johnson/Jim Jackson
SF Quentin Richardson/Paul Shirley
PF Shawn Marion/Walter McCarty
C Amare Stoudemire/Steven Hunter

by **Colin** on Sun May 22, 2005 4:15 pm

Well, well whatever it says Quentin matches up with SG most of the time and plays like one. Whereas Joe is the plays like a SF.

by **Riot** on Sun May 22, 2005 4:16 pm

I hope the NBA Finals puts the two best teams against each other:

Spurs/Pistons

by **Alvin** on Sun May 22, 2005 4:33 pm

@Colin

well, a lot of players can play both SG and SF positions (Carter, Mc Grady, Jim Jackson, Eddie Jones, and the list goes on). Johnson and Richardson are no exception.

@Pope Riot II

I agree. These are the two teams that deserve to be in it IMHO. Though the Suns and Heat are more exciting to watch.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Sun May 22, 2005 4:41 pm

Suns/Pistons would have an interesting theme too, as an Offense vs Defense battle; would a really powerful offense defy the "defense wins championships" creed? It would be the perfect series to fuel that debate.

by **John WB** on Sun May 22, 2005 4:57 pm

Pistons vs. Suns
best defense vs. best offense

And I'd want the Suns to win.

I'm sick of hearing defense wins championships, even if it is true. I want to see a high-powered offense team win it for once.

by **Alvin** on Sun May 22, 2005 7:17 pm

The Phoenix Suns, with 110.41 PPG, is indeed the NBA's best offensive team.

As for the best defensive team, I'll have to go with the Spurs:
- 1st in Opponent PPG (88.39)
- 3rd in Opponent FG% (0.426, next to only Chicago and Houston)
- 1st in Opponent APG (only 16.89 assists by Spurs opponents)

A Suns/Pistons Finals theme is similar to the Suns/Spurs matchup, isn't it? Offense vs. Defense.

by **cyanide** on Mon May 23, 2005 3:12 am

I've love to see a Detroit/Suns matchup (defense vs. offense), but I think it'll come down to a Detroit/San Antonio finals, though.

Alvin: Didn't realize that the Spurs have the best defense this year... wow. I guess the Suns/Spurs matchup is already exciting in itself

by **Jackal** on Mon May 23, 2005 3:20 am

A Heat - Spurs match up will do it for me, two of the leagues best men for a minimum of 4 games, woohoo! :mrgreen:

by **Maaarf** on Mon May 23, 2005 5:24 am

Andrew wrote:Suns/Pistons would have an interesting theme too, as an Offense vs Defense battle; would a really powerful offense defy the "defense wins championships" creed? It would be the perfect series to fuel that debate.

Boy would I like to see Amare posterizing the Wallace family. :cool:

Or Amare posterizing Shaq. :cool:

I just want to see some posters.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Mon May 23, 2005 11:38 am

John WB wrote:Pistons vs. Suns
best defense vs. best offense

And I'd want the Suns to win.

I'm sick of hearing defense wins championships, even if it is true. I want to see a high-powered offense team win it for once.

The champions usually do both well though. The 1996 Bulls are a good example. They led the league with 105.2 ppg, while their opponents' average of 92.9 was top five.

by **Alvin** on Mon May 23, 2005 12:43 pm

Game 1 was just over for the Spurs/Suns, with the Spurs scoring 121(!!!) points in a win. Guess we underestimated the SPurs offense!

by **vc_nets15** on Tue May 24, 2005 3:04 am

theres no question its gonna be the Suns and Heat in the finals :!:

Game 1 for the Suns was just for fun

series is over in 6!

by **Sac-1** on Tue May 24, 2005 4:42 am

no accually Spurs have a chance because they have alot of expirence in the playoffs...but last time the suns have been in the western conference finals was 12 years ago :!:

...so Spurs have a big chance

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Tue May 24, 2005 11:14 am

vc_nets15 wrote:theres no question its gonna be the Suns and Heat in the finals Game 1 for the Suns was just for fun series is over in 6!

Any team that loses a game "just for fun" deserves to be swept. Give San Antonio a little credit.

by **Alvin** on Tue May 24, 2005 12:57 pm

pistons have grabbed home court (not surprising though). miami was outplayed. shaq wasn't his dominating self. this may be a shorter series than i thought (pistons in 6).

by **air gordon** on Wed May 25, 2005 4:14 am

good read..
in your spurs/suns bit:
what exactly does your two word thing about duncan mean? btw- tim duncan is playing INJURED. also td has admitted he has problems against tall, long, athletic types like camby, Stoudemire, etc...

i think you have have underrated JJ- he is one of the best 3pt shooters in the reg season and postseason... is possibly the best perimeter defender on the suns..

by **kevC** on Wed May 25, 2005 4:48 am

best perimeter defender on the suns

Really isn't saying much

by **Alvin** on Wed May 25, 2005 1:08 pm

@air gordon

what i meant about the two words - "tim" and "duncan", i.e. the tim duncan factor. i mean, this guy is just excellent. scores, defends, rebounds, blocks, passes. and if he isn't playing well, he finds something else where he could contribute to, be it leadership or just rebounding.

by **Strike Freedom** on Wed May 25, 2005 5:24 pm

honestly, i think it's going to be Pistons-Spurs in the final.

I say Spurs will be the Champions. Nobody can stop TD+Ginobili, i reckon he's one of the best penetrator.

by **air gordon** on Thu May 26, 2005 4:19 am

kevC: it is saying much because he would probably be the same thing on most nba teams. not to mention, him being available would take a lot of pressure of nash, allowing nash to guard bowen

alvin: mentioning what duncan can do on the court sums up the series? i'm confused. how exactly does "tim duncan" sum up the entire series??

[NLSC Feature Article] The Final Four

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[NLSC Feature Article] The Final Four

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