HoopWatch

There is a big reason why Phoenix Suns General Manager, Steve Kerr, acquired an aging 36-year-old hip-sored-big-man-who-goes-against-their-offensive-philosophy veteran in Shaquille O’Neal, and that is to match-up well against the San Antonio Spurs. And they did Sunday night in Phoenix, in a thrilling-94-87 win.

The big fella was much of a big help, as he held down Tim Duncan to just 6-of-19 shooting, including a ghastly 2-for-11 in the final quarter. He even scored 14 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and had two block shots. Thus, the old adage continues as everyone knows that everybody has to go thru San Antonio for a team to be able to go to the NBA Finals. But this time this Suns team can match-up pretty well against Duncan, Ginobili and the rest of the Spurs.

It was tough luck for the Phoenix Suns, which is still a team in progress, to be able to defeat a highly-efficient and peaking Spur team. Neither team led by more than six points in this contest. Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and Grant Hill hit crucial jumpers down the stretch.

For two of the past three seasons, the Nash-led Suns had succumbed to the Spurs, denying them a chance to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. This game could be a telltale of things to come. There is still much room for improvement for the Phoenix Suns, but dealing San Antonio with a second straight defeat is luminous sign of things to happen. (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)