Just watched the Spurs close out Phoenix 4 games to 2 in the Western conference semifinals. I've always liked the no flash, workmanlike approach of the Spurs, punctuated by captain Tim Duncan's mild-mannered demeanor and the team's dedication to defense. This series they've taken a lot of flak for playing physical, getting in a bunch of hard fouls on the free wheeling Suns stars. Many say a fantastic series was ruined when the league responded to Robert Horry's cheap out-of-bounds foul on Phoenix talisman Steve Nash in the closing minute of a Spurs loss in game 4. David Stern and co. suspended Suns stars Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw for a game because they came off the bench to enter a brewing brawl. Instigator Robert Horry got two games, but in effect the punishment screwed Phoenix as Horry is only a bit player for San Antonio, while Stoudemire and Diaw are integral pieces of the Phoenix team. The NBA was following the letter of this particularly rigorously worded rule, but the rule needs reconsidering as Amare and Boris weren't even close to escalating the situation, let alone close to the fracas. San Antonio won the ensuing game 5 in Phoenix, although not as comfortably as you would've thought. And tonight they finished off the plucky Suns back home at the Alamodome.

Despite the Spurs roundly defeating their rivals to clinch and doing so with a compelling offensive as well as defensive display, for me the lasting image of this game (the only one of the series i watched) was Steve Nash's recovery from a tough first half to almost single handedly will the Suns back into the game in the fourth quarter. Early in the final period the Suns were down by 20 and looked to be collapsing. Nash reentered the game and began an offensive clinic, scoring 10 consecutive points and making all kinds of ridiculous drives, dishes, and long range 3's. He just would not accept defeat. Nash got his team to within 5 in the last minute, but his squad couldn't thwart a few final Spurs buckets and free throws that maintained the gap. Steve has definitely shown that he deserved his MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, and now i hope he's able to add a championship to his resumé in the years to come. He certainly deserves it more than those Maverick putzes he left in Dallas.