Let’s talk about the word “adversity.”

Adversity is playing a game without a key component of your game plan.

Adversity is facing one of the NBA’s best center/power-forwards of all-time without your first-team all-NBA center/power-forward.

Adversity is having millions of eyes zoned in on you, expecting even the slightest gesture to spark a complete loss of your composure and cool. (Mainly because most people in the same situation would consider the idea)

The San Antonio Spurs did not need to overcome an ounce of adversity to pull off yesterday’s win in Phoenix. You will be surprised to find more than one person who feels differently. So will someone please get Manu Ginobli on the same page?

In his post-game locker room interview with Craig Sager and again in the organized press conference, Ginobli went on about his team’s amazing win, overcoming adversity and pulling off a tough win. Puh-lease. The only adversity the Spurs overcame was whether or not they should put 3 guys in the paint at any given time or 4.

Essentially, for the entire game the Suns were short-staffed, leaving the Spurs with an NHL-like Power Play for the entire game; quite appropriate considering that a NHL-like hip-check from Robert Horry to Steve Nash changed the series.

Last year, the Phoenix Suns overcame adversity to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the Western conference playoffs. The Suns were without Raja Bell, their Kobe Bryant defense specialist, who was suspended for clotheslining Bryant in Game 5. Rallying behind Bell’s defense that he was bullied by Bryant but had not received calls accordingly, players like Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw stepped up and made the series one to remember.

Last night, Phoenix simply didn’t have enough gas in the tank to pull off the same feat. This situation was ten-times more difficult. Not only were the Suns without their most dominant big man — who missed all of last year’s playoffs due to injury — but they were also out one versatile big man, Diaw, who made his bones last year starring as the number-one back-up to their injured missing piece.

To say the Suns are upset at the league would be a huge understatement. The league wronged them by not laying just punishment on Bruce Bowen (knee to Steve Nash’s groin) and Tim Duncan (wandered onto court during play/brief altercation). The suspension of Amare Stoudemire and Diaw (wandering away from bench during altercation) was unnecessary, especially considering the leniency given to Bowen and Duncan.

Last night the pick-and-roll looked smooth, crisp and so long as shots fell and passes made their way to the right person, Phoenix led for most of the game. But, predictably, in the end, without their star big-man on the block to bang with the Spurs’ Tower of Tim, there just wasn’t enough energy to last them through the final moments.

As much as they wanted to prove they would not be affected by the league’s suspension hammer, the Suns were devastated. This entire series, they have been battered, beaten and abused. But not yet defeated.

It’s times like this where you hear the phrase, “They’re playing for Pride,� because that’s how it is for the Suns from here on out. And Game 6 will show exactly how professional and, just as important, resilient Phoenix truly is.

But the Phoenix will never forget this incident, nor will they forgive the league for placing them against all odds, battling actual adversity.

(Again, someone will need explain this concept to Mr. Ginobli)