Buck Harvey: Prediction in 7 seconds or less — Spurs in six
Web Posted: 05/05/2007 11:57 PM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
PHOENIX — The Spurs will win this series in six games.
Reasons? They are on the very 24-second shot clock the Suns don’t need:
24 — As in 24-7. As in it’s non-stop fun torturing Mark Cuban.
From Dallas’ collapse in the 2006 Finals to this year’s first-round upset, it’s clear somebody up there doesn’t like Cuban. That only makes sense, since people down here don’t like him, either.
What’s the best way to zing Cuban again? This series makes it easy, since it includes both Michael Finley, who Cuban paid off, and Steve Nash, the two-time MVP who Cuban thought wasn’t worth the money.
The worst scenario for the billion-dollar baby: Yet another river parade on that “ugly-ass, muddy-watered thing.”
23 — As in 23,000. As in the number of times Sean Marks made the Spurs smile during their 2005 title run.
Now, the native of New Zealand is on the Suns’ bench. And don’t good things happen for the Spurs when Marks sits and watches?
21 — As in 121. As in what the Spurs scored against Phoenix in the opener, on the road, the last time these two met in the playoffs.
“We’ve got to get over 100 points,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said last week.
And that won’t be enough.
20 — As in 20 percent. As in how much Tim Duncan’s mobility was reduced by a severely sprained ankle in 2005.
Yes, Amare Stoudemire is healthy now. But so is Duncan.
16 — As in sweet. As in the brotherly friendship between Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.
But ask the French to vote in another national election? Parker wins in a landslide.
15 — As in millions. As in Shawn Marion’s salary this season.
He can defend, rebound, score, run — except against the Spurs in the playoffs.
Two years ago? In the opener, he finished with three points in 38 minutes.
13.95 — As in the cost of the recently released paperback version of “Seven Seconds or Less: My Season on the Bench with the Runnin’ and Gunnin’ Phoenix Suns.” The well-respected and well-liked Sports Illustrated writer, Jack McCallum, wrote this book from the inside, and in doing so, McCallum grew fond of the Suns.
And last month, when asked by an Arizona reporter who he favored in the West, McCallum said: “I’m going to get (grief), but I think it has changed since the All-Star Game. The Spurs have been so good, so quietly.”
12 — As in Robert Horry’s age. In dog years.
On the first day of camp in the fall of 2005, McCallum wrote: “The coaches seem satisfied with a plan for keeping their interior defenders from straying too far from the paint — until (assistant Alvin) Gentry says, ‘Of course, if that’s Robert Horry out there, we have to do something different.’”
Such as cringe.
8 — As in eight years ago. Then, Kurt Thomas was a sturdy power forward for the Knicks, and he was supposed to supply some sturdy defense in the NBA Finals against Duncan.
And who won the title in 1999?
7 — As in how many points Finley scored against the Suns the last time he met them in a playoff game.
Then, he played for Dallas, and he was supposed to be more. He showed that in Game 2 of the 2005 series against Phoenix with 31 points. But he scored only 34 over the final four games, including seven in the finale. Cuban bought out his contract after that.
Now, Finley can score seven and still win. And if he shoots as he did in the finale against Denver? Then another 31-point night isn’t impossible.
5 — As in five times. As in Brazil’s population is about five times that of Argentina.
Yet the Spurs had twice as many Argentines than Denver had Brazilians, and they will have twice as many against Phoenix.
1.5 — As in the power of ex-Spurs who have come back to coach against the Spurs this postseason.
Second to last in scoring for the first-ever Spurs NBA team, as listed in the league’s official guide for 1976-77, is George Karl. He averaged 2.7 points.
Last is D’Antoni at 1.5.
And 1 — As in what it represents.