In the wake of the Suns' recent buzzer-beating losses, we're taking a "it's not that bad" approach. Suns.com's Matt Petersen looks at the worst one-shot heartbreaks Phoenix has suffered over the years, rating each of them based on five factors: stakes, opposition, helplessness, odds and what-the-heck. Check out the intro piece for a primer on how those factors are determined.
After reviewing some of the most heart-wrenching moments in Suns history, we're confident the last week won't feel nearly as painful.
The Coin Flip | Paxson for Three | Kiss of Death | Cheap-Shot Rob | Duncan Goes Glass | Artest Put-Back
The Shot
In Game 1 of the Western Conference first round playoffs, the Suns had finally taken a three-point lead toward the end of the first overtime. Manu Ginobili used a Tim Duncan pick to drive left and toward the basket. With the Suns defense collapsing on him, Ginobili swung the ball all the way out to the right-angle three-point line…where Duncan waited, ready.
Duncan sized up the shot, saw little help coming, and let fly. The three-pointer went in, tying the game and sending it to a second overtime. The Spurs eventually won, 117-115
Stakes
This was the very first game of the very first series in the 2008 playoffs. The format had long been changed to the first round being a best-of-seven affair. Losing Game 1 on the road wasn’t ideal, but it was far from a lose-and-go-home scenario. Rating: 5
Opposition
Normally the Spurs would rank ever so slightly below the Lakers, but these two teams had met in the playoffs just a year earlier. That 2007 clash was marred with blood, physical play and series-swinging altercations. At the time, Suns fans could hardly have wanted to beat anyone more than San Antonio. Rating: 10
Helplessness
We’ll get to the fact that it was Tim Duncan who hit the three in a little bit, but let’s take stock of the situation. The game was only tied. Three seconds (and at worst, another overtime) still remained on the clock for Phoenix to strike back. The biggest argument against the Suns is Amare Stoudemire (33 points) had fouled out on the previous offensive possession, robbing the Suns of their best offensive weapon. Rating: 3
Odds
Phoenix led by 16 in the second quarter, then again by nine with 9:30 remaining in regulation. Stoudemire’s last basket of the game put the Suns up by five with just 1:08 remaining in overtime. Multiple times, Suns fans had good reason to think they would win this one. Rating: 9
What the Heck
Duncan was on fire in this game, amassing 40 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. You couldn’t blame the Phoenix faithful for having a sinking feeling that the shot was going in as soon as he caught the ball.
Still, Duncan will never be confused for a three-point marksman. He has hit 17.5 percent of his career attempts from beyond the arc, and most of those were shot out of last-second necessity in the shot clock.
In short, if Phoenix absolutely had to leave someone open from downtown, they would have (and still would) choose Duncan. That’s why his three-pointer, not Ginobili’s game-winning layup at the end of the second overtime, is the most hurtfully remembered shot from this game. Rating: 8