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 Howdy Y'all
Posted By: Dan Banks |
 Amaré Stoudemire blocks Tim Duncan in the 2005 playoffs. (NBAE Photos) |
Every...single...time. It simply wasn't fair.
Having said that, I understand many Suns fans feel the same frustration towards a certain team from South Texas. That's where I come in...
I spent the past four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, and this summer I followed the light and made the move to Phoenix to work with the best organization in professional sports. While it was hard to leave Texas (literally, it took nine hours of driving just to get to the border), I am very happy to be here. Pardon the pun, but the future is bright with the Suns.
I'll be part of the Suns.com team that is made of different members each with a unique skill (some might say superpower). My area of interest is design, graphics, and generally being a geek. Geek, however, is not to be confused with being a dweeb or nerd - no matter what my friends and family think. I'm getting to work on some very cool projects that you'll see soon and hopefully y'all will forgive my Spurs experience.
During my time in San Antonio I experienced the heartbreak of Derek Fisher's "Point Four," the tension of two Game 7s, two NBA Championships, and even the romance of Tony and Eva. In fact, I was in the locker room to witness their first meeting. Eva was waiting to meet Tim Duncan (friend of her TV-husband, Ricardo Chavira) and explained this to Tony before blurting out, "But I like you too!" ...and the rest was history.
Now I may be new, but I've already picked up on a sense unfinished business with San Antonio. The Phoenix Mercury can't avoid questions about the rivalry as they prepare to face the San Antonio Silver Stars in the WNBA Western Conference Finals. I get grimaces when I show my license at the grocery store. My coworkers still suspect I'm leaking secrets back to Pop.
Let me start the healing with the story of how and when I became a Suns fan...
In late May of 2005, the Spurs were rolling through the playoffs. They'd grabbed a 3-0 lead over Phoenix in the Western Conference Finals and had a chance to sweep with Game 4 on their home court. But the Suns showed them they were not the kind of team to go quietly. Playing with the intensity of nothing to lose, they held a slim lead in the final minute. With 34 seconds remaining, Tim Duncan attacked the rim and Amare Stoudemire rose up to meet him - recording his only block of the game. That play - and that game - raised eyebrows around the league and sent the series back to Phoenix. The Spurs may have advanced, but to me, the Suns evolved during that series.
Ever since then, I've watched them play every chance I got.
How can you not love this team? They play a fast-paced style that has led me to yell, "Press B Button! Spin Move!" as if I was watching an X-Box tournament. Steve Nash navigates passing lanes so tight I swear he's sending the ball through defenders like Patrick Swayze in "Ghost." I am convinced Stoudemire has shoes made of flubber. Everything about this team is entertaining, and they exude an enthusiasm for the game that is simply refreshing. I'm not saying anything y'all don't already know.
I cannot get by without discussing the most recent Suns/Spurs series. Early on, the matchup was billed as a gentlemen's contest, a challenge between old friends, but by the end of the series it felt more like Hamilton versus Burr (yay history!). Game 1 was a near-classic marred by a bloody awful ending.
Game 3 gave Manu a black eye and gave the Suns a reason to be fired up for Game 4.
The "Horry Incident" was, frankly, a stupid move. It wasn't diabolical, it was dumb. Even his teammates were angry about it. I can still remember a furious Tony Parker refusing to take questions about it after the game telling reporters, "You should ask Robert," every time they brought it up. I was one of many basketball fans who wanted to see a full-strength Game 5, but that didn't happen. I also was rooting for a full-strength Game 7, but San Antonio advanced in six games and the curtain closed on the story of the Suns' playoff run - unhappy ending and all.
Yes, the Spurs have been the "Jerry" too often to this town. Yes, they have gone through here on three of their four title runs. However, the Suns are poised for a little payback this season, and I'm thrilled to have a front row seat for the show.
Comments
Lou Ricks - Prescott, AZ
Welcome aboard, Dan! The Lord always makes room for late converts. It's great to have you as one of us.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Howdy, Dan. As sure as you've picked a winner in OUR PHOENIX SUNS......our staff undoubtedly picked a winner in YOU! Welcome to "The Valley of The SUNS"! Your enthusiasm, insight, and optimism, is sincerely welcomed. Always know that whenever you drive over a speed-bump in Phoenix, you need NOT fear that you may have hit an armadillo !!? Welcome to Arizona, Dan !
.....In great hope.... SUNS IN '08 !!!
TexSUN - Bright Side of the Sun
Wow, where to start! First, it's great to see a fellow Texan, fellow geek, and fellow "convert" on this blog. I have kind of a similar story, although it was Steve Nash instead of Amare that got me interested in the Suns, and really the NBA again. Second, what an awesome first post you've made here. I enjoyed every word. Lastly, I hate to admit it, but I always rooted for Jerry. :) (That doesn't extend to the Spurs, however). Anyway, very nice view of the Spurs/Suns rivalry from a perspective I don't think I've seen before. You can definitely add writing to your list of "unique" skills (superpowers), and you can bet I'm going to link to this post on my blog the next chance I get. It's great to have you aboard. Cheers!
Ann - Phoenix
Yay! You've seen the light. Welcome to the valley of the SUNS!
Apricot - Goodyear, AZ
Welcome to Phoenix, Dan. I had my doubts about hiring from the dreaded Spurs but you have truly seen the light. I look forward to reading more of your blogs. Go Suns!!
Steven Koek - Suns.com
Ironically, I was in San Antonio the past couple of days covering the Mercury's win over the Silver Stars on Thursday night. I was buying some things at the Tower of Americas gift shop and started talking to the guy behind the counter about our video camera, said he was a video enthusiast. Before I left, he asked me for my card, which of course has the Suns logo on it and he did his best "Stan Laurel" with it and said, "Suns?!" I grinned and replied, "Yeah, how do you think I feel??" He showed what I can only surmise to be Texas hospitality by proclaiming "This is Spurs Country!" as I left. Yeah, like I didn't know THAT.
Welcome aboard, Banks. Now that you're finally saying "We" for Suns/Mercury and "They" for Spurs/Silver Stars, you'll do fine.
Kris - NJ
Dont worry Dan - even Mike D'Antoni and Steve Kerr have been with the Spurs before...So, no one would mistake you to be the secret agent Pop sent to Phoenix...
Joe Alexander - MySanAntonio.com
Hey, Dan. Good luck in Phoenix. Hopefully we'll bump into each other down the line.
Kathy - Surprise
Welcome Dan...to the valley of the "SUNS".....! Perfect time to leave the Spurs and come to the team that will be great in "08"....Good Luck to you...GO SUNS!
Robert S - Heber Az, Gillette Wy. Gallup NM,Trinidad CO
Welcome, Dan, to our town!!! We always welcome those who can see the Suns as they really are!!! WINNERS!!!!! As Tom Leander always says, the suns are the BEST SHOW ON SNEAKERS!!!!!!!! there is always room for more fans here in the Grand Canyon State!!!!!! Some day I will even get to go to a game too!!!!!!!!!! For now gotta catch a train to Denver!!! L8R's!!!!!!!!!
Carla - Cottonwood
Welcome to Arizona! I say that because I don't live in Phoenix. I love the Suns as much as anyone though. I can hardly wait for the season to start, I'll probably be at every single preseason game, just because I miss them so much!
Good luck, and I look forward to more posts from you.
Robert S. - Heber Az. Trinidad Co. Gillette Wy
Dont worry all, the Spurs are not the AXIS OF EVIL. After all what good is a championship if you dont have a rival to really make you earn it!?? Popovich and his guys are generally a class act and really can make you see just what you are made of. They remind me of Magics Lakers and Patricks Knicks!! Winning it all is not as meaningful without a struggle to get to the top!!! This will make Victory all the SWEETER!!! GO Suns in 08!!!!!!!!
Dirk - Cali
Welcome! I'm from Texas but got into basketball in AZ with the Suns and have remained loyal ever since.
Side question: the first thing the Suns office was going to do over the summer was petition for a rule change so that non-incidents like Boris-Amare would not happen again. But I've heard nothing regarding this since over the summer. What happened?
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