NBA Playoffs - Day 30

Phoenix's SmallBall Wins Game 1

Phoenix 121 Dallas 118

The Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks in a shootfest last night to draw first blood in their series. Both teams played a fast game particularly Phoenix . ' The Mavs better not celebrate after a basket as the Suns will be at the other end in 3 seconds making their own ' said TNT Analyst Doug Collins. It was that kind of offense that any lead can disappear in a huff. ' We can be down by 10 points and be at the lead in a minute ' said Suns' Tim Thomas . ' That's the way we play ' . Exactly , Dallas was leading by as much as 10 points with 4 minutes left , when Steve Nash buckled down to work both in the offensive and defensive ends. He drilled a 3 pointer and made an incredible layup . Steve twisted his body like a pretzel while making the basket that TNT Analyst Steve Kerr was left asking ' How did he do that '. Amazing . Actually Steve made several circus shots in his career, these no longer surprise Suns' followers. Steve excellent footwork is attributed to him having played soccer . ' ' He has very good footwork like Olajuwon , another soccer playing baller ' added Collins . Remember that ' cabezada ' Steve used to assist Amare S. in 2005 Slam Dunk contest ? That's a soccer move. Steve is not the only one in the family who is good at soccer . His father was into soccer and a brother is a professinal soccer player based in Europe. You can say that the whole Nash family is a sucker for soccer.

Actually , despite Steve's heroics , the Suns victory would not had been possible without Boris Diaw. Diaw was simply unbelievable last night even scoring the last basket with 4 seconds left.
He scored a career high and made baskets in a variety of ways. ' Diaw used to flip the ball , but as soon as he learns to use power and dunk the ball , he will be amazing ' Collins said . As if on cue , Diaw dunked the ball in his next basket. He actually has shown unlimited talent. Short for a center ( 6'8'' ) , Diaw makes up for the lack in height with his versatility and hardwork. In this era of smallball ( ? ) , Diaw posseses the qualities needed to make it work. I think , smallball to really be adopted by the whole NBA must show more tangible proof. Meaning the Suns must go all the way . Then Shaq will really be extinct. Imagine the Suns meeting Miami in the Finals . Riley, to match the Suns speed , will be forced to bench Shaq . A $25 million a year baller sitting on the bench. Greg O.( in the left photo ) slipping from no.1 in next year's draft , teams letting go of marginal big guys , forwards playing centers and so on . Unfortunately for team owners, smallball does not equal small salary !

Greg Oden