The Phoenix Suns had their chance to take a stand, to defend their home court, to justify their bold mid-season trade for Shaquille O'Neal, to show why this group and this system should continue.

But we know what happened on the game against San Antonio.

Instead they fell, fast and hard, looking less like a cohesive unit and more like a mismatched collection of parts that the San Antonio Spurs easily dismantled, 115-99, in Game 3. The Suns never found something to stand by or stand on, and thus moved a step closer to extinction.

Is there still some hope for the Suns?