The golden standard for softness is the backside of a baby, but in time, there may be reason to substitute that comparison with the Phoenix Suns.

In what began as one of the most ballyhooed opening-round series of the NBA Playoffs with expectations of seven games, the third-seeded San Antonio Spurs were holding a 3-1 series lead over the sixth-seeded Suns when 210SA went to press Tuesday. Here is a recap of the destruction:

Game 1: Spurs 117, Suns 115 (2OT)

Yeah, the game was close, and the Spurs only won by a bucket in extra time, but the Suns blew this game by epic proportions. Phoenix was up by double-digits for much of the game, but the Spurs whittled the game down throughout the second half, setting the stage for a 3-pointer by Tim Duncan to force overtime. From there it was all Spurs.

Game 2: Spurs 102, Suns 96

Same story, different game, as Phoenix opened the game with a double-digit lead in the first period, only to see the Spurs erase it in the second half and hold home court to make the series 2-0.

Game 3: Spurs 115, Suns 99

Phoenix shows its softness in all its glory. A “must-win” game for the Suns (being down 0-3 is a death knell in any best-of-7 series), Phoenix allowed Tony Parker to score more than any adult video star as he posted a career-high 41 points.

Game 4: Suns 105, Spurs 86

Up 3-0 with no threat of elimination, the Spurs take a breather and allow the Suns to salvage some semblance of pride. San Antonio takes the game so lightly that rarely used Brent Barry played an equal number of minutes as Tim Duncan, and end-of-the-bench reserves Jacque Vaughn, Damon Stoudamire and Ime Udoka all posted 12 minutes or more of playing time.

Up next: Assuming they finish off the Suns, the Spurs play the winner of Hornets-Mavericks series.

Chuck Blount | 210SA contributor