Tim's Game Preview: Game 37, Phoenix Suns
by TimAllen on Mar 1, 2012 4:26 PM CST
in Tim's Previews
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One of the great tragedies in basketball history will happen if Steve Nash stays with a rebuilding Phoenix Suns team.
Minnesota Timberwolves (18-18) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-20) at US Airways Center
Loyalty is, in most circumstances, one of most endearing human virtues. Yet, there are times when loyalty can be foolish. Such as when Kevin Garnett refused to push for a trade to a contender until his team had already shopped him in trade offers, when he was well past his prime. Such as when Glen Taylor refused to part ways with Kevin McHale, even though the franchise was ready to go in a new direction.
Steve Nash has been loyal to the Phoenix Suns for much of his career, despite the fact that owner Robert Sarver has essentially sold away the team's chances to contend for a title. Nash will be a free agent at the end of the season. Back in 2009, Nash signed a two-year extension with the Suns, despite signs of the team's impending drop.
If the Suns do not do the honorable thing and trade Nash, hopefully he will leave at the end of this season for greener pastures. He deserves another shot at a title.
Tonight, the Wolves will finish up a back-to-back-to-back against Nash and the Suns after a drubbing from the Los Angeles Lakers.
What is the difference between having the flu and having flu-like symptoms?
Projected Starting Lineups
C: Nikola Pekovic vs. Marcin Gortat
PF: Kevin Love vs. Channing Frye
SF: Wesley Johnson vs. Grant Hill
SG: Luke Ridnour vs. Jared Dudley
PG: Ricky Rubio vs. Steve Nash
I guess its easy to understand why many Wolves fans clamored for Josh Childress, given Minnesota's current group of wing players. That contract though? No thanks.
Last 5 Games
Phoenix Suns: (4th in Pacific, 7 gms behind LAC; 13th in West, 4 gms behind 8th seed)
Wed, Feb 15: Loss to Atlanta 99-101
Fri, Feb 17: Loss at LA Lakers 99-111
Sun, Feb 19: Win vs. LA Lakers 102-90
Mon, Feb 20: Win vs. Washington 104-88
Wed, Feb 22: Loss vs. Golden State 104-106
Minnesota Timberwolves: (4th in NW; 10 1/2 gms behind OKC; 10th in West, 1 gm behind 8th seed)
Sun, Feb 19: Win vs. Philadelphia 92-91
Mon, Feb 20: Loss at Denver 101-103 (OT)
Wed, Feb 22: Win vs. Utah 100-98
Tue, Feb 28: Win at LA Clippers 109-97
Wed, Feb 29: Loss at LA Lakers 85-104
He's been spending most his life living in a gangsta's paradise.
Injuries
Phoenix Suns:
Markieff Morris - Probable with a sprained thumb
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Kevin Love - Questionable with flu-like symptoms
It's the Balkan Bulldozer vs. the Polish Hammer
Noteworthy Stats
- Steve Nash is currently 1st in assists per game (10.9) and assists per-48 (16.4). He is 5th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.95) behind Louis Williams, Tony Parker, Chris Paul and Jose Calderon
- Phoenix has not lost to the Timberwolves since a home loss on January 16th, 2009
- The Suns have not missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1987-88
- Only three teams - Detroit, San Antonio and Cleveland - have had fewer technical fouls this season than the Minnesota Timberwolves (20). New York leads the league with 44
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Martell started the second half yesterday
Was it because Luke jammed his fingers, or is it an omen of things to come? …or is it simply because RA didn’t want Luke to guard metta world peace yet again? Time will tell.
Another good preview Tim, appreciated as always
by Timberwolf in LA on Mar 1, 2012 4:35 PM CST reply actions
More likely because Barea was injured
so Adelman decided to bring Luke off the bench as the backup PG.
Of course, those other things might have factored in as well. I’m all for Webster moving into the starting lineup permanently. They can figure out which one sits when Barea comes back — Wes or Luke.
The Suns formula - pick and roll with spaced lights out shooters
can still bite you in the ass. That said, they used to have a great bench. Now… they, well they rather emphatically don’t.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Fabricating Injuries Constitutes Player Production
All I know
is that in rock-paper-scissors, bulldozer beats hammer.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 4:43 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
It's a matchup of my two favorite centers
I’m very excited.
3s and Free Throws. 3s and Free Throws. 3s and Free Throws.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 1, 2012 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not really familiar with Gortat's game,
but considering how so many CHers think highly of it, I’m expecting a pretty good matchup.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
Gortat does have a mid-range jumper
Maybe that’s why Pek practiced it a couple times last night!
I expect Adelman to break out
the mascot defense to slow Gortat down tonight.
Epistemic closure means never having to admit you're wrong.
by Spouting Opinions on Mar 1, 2012 6:52 PM CST up reply actions
Why didn't you just ask?
Gortat is a terrific finisher in the P&R with either hand. He knows how to find creases to the basket for easy buckets. He’s also developing a more reliable post game, showcasing some nice lefty hooks and the like. Fairly solid 15-17 foot shooter. Good energy rebounder, good defender. Oh, and he has a big nose.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Me too
I loves me some Eastern European centers. I can’t wait for Valanciunas to come over and add another one for me to enjoy.
Epistemic closure means never having to admit you're wrong.
by Spouting Opinions on Mar 1, 2012 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
but by the you might be down one Darko
Total crowd favorite
by TO12 on Mar 1, 2012 6:52 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Funny how many Wolves fans felt differently about retaining Garnett
But I understand the sentiment. Suns need more talent before they can return to contention.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
Love's been healthy all year. The game I go to, he's out sick.
Such is life. It looked the Lakers were playing a High School squad. Beasley hit some nice swishers, though. I’d like to transplant Oscar Robertson’s brain into his cranium. Trade Rubio (ducks).
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Love was out the one game I went to also.
But that meant A-Train got his first start, so it was fine with me :-)
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
We did lose to Scola's Rockets . . .
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
He beasted in the game right after it got cut.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
exactly what i was thinking.
he was probably hungover. LA is his favorite town
"This town, this night, this crowd
Come on put them up, let me hear it loud"
by Stay classy, Joe. on Mar 1, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
the difference between the flu and flu-like symptoms
the flu is the flu.
Flu like symptoms is a euphemism for raging diarrhea.
Or (according to NBA folklore) a raging hangover
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Mar 1, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
I think they say "flu like symptoms"
because the actual flu virus is relatively rare, and it’s much more likely that he came down with a stomach bug (e.g. gastroenteritis) that should subside within 24-48 hours
by Timberwolf in LA on Mar 1, 2012 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
It is nice to have a doctor on the blog
I've got good judgement from experience and experience from bad judgement.
a game review of last might is something I can live without
by TO12 on Mar 1, 2012 6:55 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
If his reaction to the Head game is any indication
MAYN spent the early morning hours in the streets of LA punching homeless people.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 7:20 PM CST up reply actions
Haha!
What a stupid typo! Now I’m going to think of this every time I read about Miami and I’ll start giggling like I am now.
The Miami Head. Haha! ESPN has their “Head Check” site.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 7:28 PM CST up reply actions
I've always wanted to spend one night in Bangkok
Shift happens, caps lock is on purpose.
We get our kicks above the waistline, Sunshine.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 2, 2012 12:15 AM CST up reply actions
Murray Head
was also the original Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Zgoda says
Love will play tonight via twitter
err, that come out akwardly
Love will not be playing via twitter. Rather, Zgoda said via twitter that Love will play. (Heh. only damn blog I know where I’d bother rephrasing)
I especially love that you felt the need to rephrase
and titled the post err, that come out akwardly
very well done
3s and Free Throws. 3s and Free Throws. 3s and Free Throws.
by Eric in Madison on Mar 1, 2012 7:07 PM CST up reply actions
Haha
I know. I just couldn’t bring myself to make the double correction.
"(Heh. only damn blog I know where I’d bother rephrasing)"
Same here haha
I've got good judgement from experience and experience from bad judgement.
I actually believe the hangover thing now
Zgoda says Love referred it as the “stomach flu”
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
eh I kind of believe it less now
A hangover would have been a 1 night thing.
Probably ate some bad sushi in LA or something
by TO12 on Mar 1, 2012 7:14 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
They said 'strained calf' last night, but JJ said "He didn't know" what it was after game.
Zgoda tweeted he’s out
"Wes Johnson is quite possibly the worst player in the NBA" - Everyone
by AndrePatterson on Mar 1, 2012 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
Damn
I kind of like his little spark off the bench……………… sometimes
I've got good judgement from experience and experience from bad judgement.
He strained a calf last night.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Mar 1, 2012 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
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