Okay, this totally bites.

Having to watch the Suns play the Spurs in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs is akin to eating a rich, chocolaty, dessert cake as an entree. This series, as expected, has proven to be a nail biter. I don't think even the most rabid hoops junkies was quite ready for this kind of drama so early. If only they could have eased us into it. But here we are with the Suns-Spurs series among us in all its glory.

This chippy rivalry has undoubtedly been among the best the NBA has had to offer recently in the way of entertainment value. The mid-season, Phoenix roster addition of Shaquille O'Neal has added even more star power to an already heated series. Suns-Spurs is probably the most heated rivalry since the Lakers-Kings feuds a few years back. I still chuckle every time I hear that sound bite of Shaquille calling Chris Webber, Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic the Sacramento Queens.

Despite dropping the first two games of the series, Suns management still must feel confident that, with the Diesel in the middle, their chance to finally topple the Spurs is upon them. At least GM Steve Kerr hopes so. It will be a shame to see either of these teams get bounced so early. Commissioner David Stern could not have wanted either Shaq and Nash or Duncan and Mr. Longoria to be sitting at home while the playoffs move forward. It's too bad they couldn't have each started by facing off against a Western pretender like Dallas or Houston and save the goods for later.

For the record, even though they're up 2-0, I don't think a Spurs victory is a forgone conclusion. The Suns played San Antonio tough in the first halves of both Games One and Two. They just couldn't close the deal. I honestly don't know which team will win this series. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Suns were finally able to beat their long time nemesis, winning four of their next five. It also wouldn't surprise me if the Spurs continue to surgically pick the Suns apart in the second half of each contest. And it definitely wouldn't surprise me to see Shaq set a nice stiff pick on Bruce Bowen to make up for that elbow he threw at Amare in the regular season. Isn't that what they got him for?

With Shaq in the lineup, the Suns might just have enough of a veteran presence to have them keep their composure when the Spurs try their traditional mind games. The question is, do they have enough talent on the floor?

Learn more about this author, Christopher William.
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