Why are Phoenix fans still so upset over the 2007 NBA playoff loss to the Spurs?

Question

I mean the NBA has reviewed their rules on suspending players in the last few weeks as a result of the Phoenix incident with the NBA deciding no changes will be made in the NBA's policy on suspending players that leave the bench.

Also, in the 2007 Western Conference semi-finals between the Spurs and Phoenix, when both teams had full and complete rosters, the Spurs had won three games while Phoenix had only won two games.

Maybe I can understand the Phoenix complaints had the six game series gone the full seven games. I mean, the Spurs lost only 4 total playoff games in the 2007 NBA playoffs in four rounds.

Also, in the last 24 meetings between the Spurs and Phoenix, the Spurs have won 19 of those games. I mean the two teams are both good; however, it is obvious that the Spurs have dominated Phoenix for years.

So why all the whining from Phoenix?

1) As a general comment to responses from Phoenix fans, my brother is a Phoenix season ticket holder, and all he did all year was complain about how this year's team which lost to the Spurs 4-2 was not nearly as good as last year's team because Nash was having a bad year and Boris wasn't playing nearly as good as last year, so all regular season, my brother held little hope for Phoenix in the playoffs. But, then after this incident, he started complaining that it cost Phoenix the NBA title, I mean this was only the Western Conference semi-finals.
2) A comment was made about the dirty play that caused Nash's bloody nose. Nash fouled Tony Parker with his head in a head to head collision which almost TKOed Tony Parker, and the referees stopped the game for 10 minutes for Nash's benefit to try to stop the bleeding.
3) Someone mentioned 1972, the only thing similar to 1972 was the NBA refs stopping the game for 10 minutes after Nash fouled trying to get Nash back in the game.

Answer 1

yeah, Suns fans should let it go. I mean, it was a drag cause it altered the series but I do believe that if they can't pull it off in 7, then they weren't the best team. They actually lost to San Antonio when the Spurs were missing Horry. Many people say Horry isn't much, but he makes huge shots which totally change momentum. He gets key rebounds and key blocks and steals. He never puts up huge numbers, but the reason why he has so many rings is because he makes all those little plays that never come out in the numbers. He's a much better player than most people give him credit for. If it weren't for him I'd say the Spurs may not have won in 05 and the Lakers might not have got one of theirs as well. Just watch all those games again. He impacts a game, especially in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Suns fans, let it go please. Show the Spurs next year that you can stay calm and beat the Spurs. That will justify this year's loss, otherwise if you lose again next year, it will be obvious that the suspensions didn't really change the series all that much.

Answer 2

Spurs will definatly win the series without a doubt. The suns have 5 good players and they r their starting 5 and that is if...if you count shaq as good cauz he is getting old. The spurs have 4 or 5 players that come off the bench and producing either it is points assist or just plain old good defense. Spurs will win the series in 5 or less games

Answer 3

Because they lost. If the Suns won that game they would all be saying how they beat the Spurs short handed blah, blah. Accept it Suns fans, your team broke a rule PLAIN AND SIMPLE and your coaching staff did a horrible job keeping your players from leaving the bench. If that had appened to the Spurs, coach Pop would've been more upset at his own players for leaving the bench, then he would be at David Stern.

Answer 4

They're butthurt because they realize that this was their best and perhaps only chance to win a championship. I think their current lineup has achieved the most that it can and they need to make some changes. I don't agree with the rule that got Diaw and Stoudemire suspended, but it is a rule. Seems to me Phoenix fans are just figuring out that the window for them may be closing on them.

Answer 5

I can understand their whining. I really can. It sucks that it happened but rules are rules. You cannot leave the bench during an altercation. Every player is supposed to know this. All coaches and asst. coaches know to tell their team "guys, if anything happens don't leave the bench" these coaches aren't stupid, they knew the series was getting physical. Suns fans are mad because this was their best shot at getting past the Spurs in a long time. They had their chance and it slipped by them again. Sorry suns fans I feel for you I do, but as a Spurs fan I gotta root for my team.

Answer 6

why the whining? take away Duncan in one of the games and then let's see where Spurs would be. Spurs won legit, but I (and I aint from Phoenix) question Spurs being the best this year because they beat a Suns team who lost an important player who Spurs couldn't control despite the fact Bowen and Ginobili tried to take him out. Then Bowen moves on to Nash and knees him in the groin (after Parker gets him a bloody nose for Game 1). Cheap Shot Bob pulls it off with that tactless foul on Nash. And they still barely win Game 5. Spurs were rewarded for Horry's tasteless and pathetic act. So no, they didn't prove to be champions and Suns are gonna kill Spurs next year and end all talk of this "spurs dynasty" bullshit.

Answer 7

Once again, someone has inaccurate information on here regarding league business. Are you David Stern's assistant or something??? The league has NOT yet reviewed that rule. It will happen in the offseason which has just now offically started and it will involve all the team owners. The decision to keep the ignorant rule has NOT already been made.

As far as Suns fans being upset, HOW CAN YOU BLAME US? The Spurs had everything handed to them. The NBA allowed them to play dirty (Amare's achilles, knee to Nash's groin, etc) and so how can you possibly blame Amare or Diaw for sticking up for their MVP after a dirty cheap shot like that? The league tolerated the dirty play of the Spurs, who do not respect their opponents on the court. Of course we're still upset. They were REWARDED for dirty play. It is disgusting.

Answer 8

Defense wins championships. Cavs might have the worst offense in the NBA. But that goes to show you where defense will get you. Suns will never win until they get a coach with a defensive mentality. That's it. That simple. There is Pheonix Sun's answer, but they're too stubborn and will still try and prove to people that their style will win.

Answer 9

Actually, I think they have a legitimate beef. The suspensions tainted what should've been the best series in the playoffs, and with Number 1 seed Dallas getting knocked out early, the path to the championship looked wide open for everybody. David Stern wanted to prevent a repeat of the Auburn Hills brawl, but as usual, he used a sledgehammer when the situation called for a scalpal.

Answer 10

Anyone remember the 76' (i think it was) basketball olympics? US against Communist Russia. It's the same kind of deal. I think they have a good reason to be upset, but whining really pisses me off.