Dr. Jack's Breakdown: Suns-Spurs
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
No. 5 Suns (53-29) vs. No. 4 Spurs (53-29)
 Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. The color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.
Throughout the 2000 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intanglibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.
|
BACKCOURT
|
EDGE
|
| Without the presence of Jason Kidd, the Spurs should hold their own against Penny Hardaway and company. Avery Johnson and Mario Elie are solid in the backcourt, and Terry Porter gives the Spurs a boost off the bench. Elie will have to do a good defensive job on Hardaway, who has picked up his game in Kidd's absence. Johnson will match up against Randy Livingston to start the game, and then Kevin Johnson, who has only played six games since returning to the Suns.
|
|
|
FRONTCOURT
|
EDGE
|
| Tim Duncan's presence makes a huge difference for the Spurs. David Robinson is clearly ahead of Luc Longley in speed, defense, everything. Sean Elliott, now with 19 games under his belt, is playing a little better and defending well. Samaki Walker has come on at the big forward spot. Clifford Robinson is a quality player who has had a strong season, but I like the Spurs' frontcourt because they are just as experienced and can raise their game.
|
|
|
INTANGIBLES
|
EDGE
|
| As the lower seed and without Kidd and Tom Gugliotta, the Suns aren't expected to do much; therefore, they can play a much looser style against the defending champions. The Spurs know they have to get by the Suns and make the home-court advantage stick. Those things wash out, although the Spurs made a statement by beating the Lakers in the regular-season finale without Duncan. |
Even |
|
PREDICTION
|
| Spurs in five. The big difference will be Robinson and Duncan, if he plays. Even without Duncan, the Spurs are the champions and know what they have to do to win. Phoenix will make it tough for the Spurs with the style they play. They will put a small lineup on the floor, and press the Spurs to try and scramble their game. But the Spurs are too poised and too solid.
|
|
|
