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Recap: Suns Put Wolves Away Early in RoLo's Impressive Debut

Robin Lopez announced his presence with authority in his season debut as the Suns rocked the Timberwolves, 120-95(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

More photos » Jim Mone - AP

Robin Lopez announced his presence with authority in his season debut as the Suns rocked the Timberwolves, 120-95(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Robin Lopez impressed in his season debut tonight.  It wasn't part of the plan, but Robin Lopez checked into the game just over 6 minutes into the first quarter when both Amar'e Stoudemire and Lou Amundson both picked up 2 quick fouls.  His impact was immediate.

49 seconds after checking in, Lopez scored his first points on a lay-in off a Steve Nash assist.  17 seconds later, Robin picked up his first rebound on the defensive end.  7 seconds after that he grabbed another board at the offensive end.  It took him 6 more seconds to bust out a nifty spin move to hit a hook shot in the lane.    8 minutes later he had tallied 9 points, 6 boards and a  block.  Not too shabby for a guy who hadn't played in 6 weeks, eh?

When he checked out of the game after that whirlwind performance, the announcers noted he looked very winded, so it might be a while before we see him in extended main game minutes.  After his solid first half, Robin didn't check back in until the end of the 3rd quarter when the Suns were up by 30.

Overall, the Timberwolves simply had no answer for the Suns offense.  Phoenix scored early and often with Steve Nash weaving in and out of the lane willy-nilly.  Jason Richardson was the big gun for the Suns with 22 points.  Grant Hill followed with 17, which should have been 19, but the ageless wonder provided some levity when lifting off a little too early for a wide open dunk and rimming it out just before halftime, making him the subject of some good-natured ribbing in the locker room.  The Suns led by as 36 before the final buzzer sounded for a final of 120-95.

In terms of the rest of the re-cap, here's what you need to know:

Star-divide

 

  • The Suns came out aggressive and never let up.  Up 10 after 1 quarter and 21 at the half, this game was never in doubt.
  • Minnesota was putrid offensively, managing a paltry 41% from the field and going 2-14 from downtown.  Tex Winter should really file a cease and desist preventing the Timberwolves from calling their scheme the triangle.
  • The Suns offense, when firing on all cylinders, is unstoppable.  It's like the mythical hydra: cut off one head, and another one pops up in its place.  Of the 12 Suns that took the court tonight, 11 of them scored at least 5 points on a blistering 59% from the field.
  • Steve Nash was Steve Nash.  9 points and 11 assists in just over 26 minutes.
  • The Suns bench saw plenty of action with 6 players logging 12 minutes or better.  Alando Tucker was not one of them.
  • Robin Lopez wasn't the only reserve to make the most of his minutes.  Earl Clark made a strong case for more minutes going a perfect 6-6 from the field to finish with 14 points.  However, one would like to see the 6-11 Clark manage to pull down at least 1 rebound in 12 minutes.  He also got lost defensively a couple of times.
  • The game was well in hand by the time Amar'e Stoudemire got around to getting his 12 points.  Despite playing only 18 minutes, Amar'e continues to play smart, efficient offense, going 6-9 from the field.
  • Speaking of defense, the Suns were a bunch of shot-blocking fools tonight.  6 different players notched blocks for a team total of 8, with several other shots being changed and challenged.
  • The Timberwolves offense will make anyone look good defensively.  Take away Ramon Sessions impressive 10-13 23 point performance (tellingly, he had no assists) and the rest of the team was a mind-boggling 25 of 73 from the field.  They came 3 bricks away from missing as many shots as the Suns made.  Al Jefferson also had 20 points in the losing effort.
  • How bad was Minnesota?  Consider they lost by 25 points despite shooting 32 free throws to the Suns' 10.
  • At 13-3, the Suns have the best record in the NBA... again.  Toronto is up next on Sunday.

0 recs  |  Comment 52 comments |

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Great win!

It’s really good to see the Suns beating the teams that they oughta be beating.

Wow, best record in the NBA! I know it’s only been 16 or-so games but if someone had told me this would happen last April I’d have them checked into a mental institute.

GO Suns!

by DukeNukeco on Nov 28, 2009 3:45 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Agree

I never imagined the Suns leading the NBA, but I sure am happy they are.

by lelele33322 on Nov 28, 2009 4:22 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I may be a homer

But I always expect us to be competative at the least and am suprised if the suns have a rough season

by ron_dasun on Nov 28, 2009 4:03 AM MST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Wouldn't it be nice to rollout an effective line-up of

C-Lopez
PF- STAT
SF-Clark
SG-Hill
PG-Nash
by the playoffs to combat all that size that the Lakers have. This would be a very long and speedy line-up.

by ron_dasun on Nov 28, 2009 4:09 AM MST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Dude,

1) You’re STILL thinking of beating the Lakers in the playoffs. They’ll get beat by the Nuggets/Blazers/Thunder/whatever before they even cross our path.

2) I’d rather have JRich to guard Kobe. JRich will also wear him down more at the other end of the floor more than Grant Hill could. I really think you need to have 3pt range in this league to be a SG.

Actually it’d be awesome if Clark can guard Kobe. He definitely has the physical tools already.

Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!

by gadogry on Nov 28, 2009 5:28 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

The Lakers will be beaten by anyone??

Hello. I hate the Lakers as much as anyone here, but why would the Lakers get eliminated by the Thunder? And by “whatever,” aren’t you essentially saying anyone can beat the Lakers? How’s that?

by species8473 on Nov 28, 2009 10:02 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

The Thunder part

was a joke, and the “whatever” was to indicate that I wasn’t serious, hence maybe giving away the joke…

Of course the Lakers is talented team. But I’m not sold that they can’t be beat in a 7 game series.

Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!

by gadogry on Nov 28, 2009 12:00 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

maybe by the playoffs

But a lot of that depends on rolo’s development this year. Unless we see a dramatic improvement this yea3 I expect frye to be starting at the end of the year. This guy is the real deal.

Crashing the [message] boards from the heart of Spurs Nation, San Antonio, Texas. GO SUNS!

by PHXgp on Nov 28, 2009 8:46 AM MST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

That could happen, since Lopez did show a dramatic improvement in this one game…

by species8473 on Nov 28, 2009 10:05 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Wary

I’d be wary of reading too much into Lopez’ performance last night. While he did provide an unexpected boost when pressed into early service, he did most of his damage against Olexsiy Pecherov who lacks the post presence of even an aged veteran like Kurt Thomas or Nazr Mohammed. When Robin checked back into the game in garbage time against Al Jefferson, he was largely ineffective.

Also, the 4 fouls he picked up in his 15 minutes still demonstrate a lack of control that will be his undoing against more aggressive and polished centers.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be excited by Lopez’ performance. I’m just taking it with a grain of salt. Like, Dragic, he’s still got a way to go before he’s “arrived” so to speak.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 11:12 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Clearly

I loved the way he used his size in the paint – how strange is it seeing the biggest guy on the court wearing a Suns uniform – but he was way over aggressive on D.

He bit on an up fake from Al Jeff 15ft from the basket and on D he was everywhere and not necessarily in a good way.

This is all to be expected of course and I am THRILLED with what he did but he is not the savior but I do think he will be a nice supporting piece hopefully by the time we play Boston and LA at the end of Dec.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 11:27 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Totally

And he bit on that fake twice, both times picking up fouls. He did show some nice control against Jawai, by not leaving his feet most of the time and tying him up at least once, but again, that’s Nathan Jawai, not um, anyone with a significant post game.

I agree that with some additional work and conditioning he could definitely be a valuable supporting piece later in the season.

I hope the Suns keep Jarron Collins on the roster to A) take the pressure off Lopez as the Suns only big and B) to give Robin someone to work on his body control with in practices and scrimmages.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 11:44 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Not exactly sure how

much influence Collins really has on Robin. I never see them together and when asked the other day about it Robin didn’t really say that Jarron was helping him. He gave a non-answer when asked by Paul Coro if Collins was helping him.

Besides, Robin is a LOT bigger than Collins. Jarron really is about the same size as Frye. As we saw last night, Robin really towers over everyone…still can’t get over that. Dude is big

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 1:04 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

but I really like Collins

the problem of course is $. If they keep him past Jan 10th his contract is guaranteed so he will cost the Suns about $1.6m. Is he worth it?

Maybe if they move Tucker somewhere and get a pick back and save his money I can see it happening but otherwise I doubt Jarron stays

He is cool though. Smart. Dry sense of humor. A pro.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 1:05 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm, I guess you're right.

I just thought Collins maybe provided a thicker body, a la Kurt Thomas, but Frye and Collins are almost exactly the same size. Wishful thinking, I suppose.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 1:06 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Like KT

he does “play big” and is a smart defender and willing to mix it up but physically he’s just not even close to the bigger C’s in the league like a Howard, Shaq, Oden, Bynum, Lopez B or even Haywood, Dalembert, Okafor, Chandler, Hibert, Gray, etc..

Honestly, I am really looking forward to Robin vs Shaq. That might be fun in some kind of twisted way…

In the post game last night Robin asked if Shaq was playing yet and seemed to be anxious to get a shot at him which is good to see.

btw – I missed big chunks of this game due to some other priorities but did you notice if Rambis played Jawai to counter Robin or the other way around. Jawai hasn’t been playing much for them with the minutes going to Hollins and Stewie

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 1:16 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Jawai

It seems like Rambis brought him in to counter Lopez initially. Jawai only played 9 minutes and saw some Lopez-less spot duty later in the game.

Frankly, the Wolves rotation seemed to lack any cohesion or plan. I think Jonny Flynn has some skillz, but there’s no acceptable reason Ramon Sessions isn’t starting for them.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 1:36 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I am a big Sessions fan

I have no idea why the Knicks didn’t go after him this summer….he’s only making $4m / yr in Minnie.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 1:56 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

seriously.

that dude could be boss if he went somewhere with a semi-free wheeling offense.

plus, i think d’antoni would love him. he’s young enough to mold into your kind of player, but enough of a veteran to know how to avoid rookie mistakes.

Bright Side of the Sun, where Suns basketball never looked so good.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Nov 28, 2009 7:25 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Agree Mike

Lopez has a long way to go. Nash makes a brilliant pass between the defenders legs and Lopez lays the ball in. That is a ball he should jam. His foot work has a long way to go, and he needs to get into shape. Lets see what Lopez is doing in March.
 Dragic is still learning. I would like to see his progress report in March also.

by Grockcubs on Nov 28, 2009 1:57 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't understand

Whether he jams or lays it in, he puts the ball in the basket, so who cares?

by species8473 on Nov 28, 2009 3:46 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I guess

my point is Lopez is still lacking foot work, and some bounce. I understand he has just got back from injury. But this is why I think we need to be patient with Lopez, lets get him into shape, then evaluate.

by Grockcubs on Nov 28, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

That ball

almost rolled out. If he elevates and throws it down there’s no question. There’s also the “wow factor” of a good jam which can’t be overlooked both as a positive for your team (and fans) and a blow to the other team.

That first lay in after the Nash 5-hole pass was not pretty at all but like Grockcubs said he deserves several weeks to get back into it. Remember Amare’s first couple of games this season? And no look at him.

I did go back and watch the 4th qtr. The Suns left Lopez 1:1 with Al Jefferson and three times he defended him well and Al Jeff still scored. In all those possessions Robin stayed tall with his arms up and cut off the baseline move forcing Jefferson to spin back and switch hands and shot over Robin.

Those are great shots. I can’t think of another Center in the league right now (Shaq included) that can spin one way and then counter back the other – switch the ball from left to right hand and then hit a high arc hook.

I was also thrilled with Robin’s stuff on Flynn in the 4th quarter. He totally erased him.

and btw – Dragic played really good D on Flynn as well as one point fighting through a screen and getting up and tipping Flynn’s shot. It was the kind of D you see from Rondo with his long arms. Very few PG’s in the league can recover and block a shot like that.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 4:46 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Wingspan

Dragic = 6’ 7"
Rondo = 6’ 10"

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 9:05 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

and what does Nash sport?

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Nov 29, 2009 12:43 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I have no idea.

I Googled it, but got nothing useful. BSOTS readers, you now have a mission! Go forth and bring me the head of Steve Nash’s wingspan on a silver platter!

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 29, 2009 1:46 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Polite clap.

Didnt need those Rambis glasses to see how bad Minnesota is.

by dCoye on Nov 28, 2009 8:15 AM MST reply actions   0 recs

Word. You don't get to 1-15 on accident.

This was most definitely a “taking care of business” win. It is nice to see the Suns doing what they’re supposed to be doing with some regularity though, which is beating lesser teams soundly.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 11:14 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

There are too many teams in the league

This isn’t an original idea and I can’t remember where I last hear this idea but I think seeing the Grizz and T-wolves it is pretty obvious that the NBA would be better off with two or four less teams. The talent disparity is too big around the league between the have’s and the have not’s.

I really wish we had a system to demote teams to the next level like in European ball

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 11:29 AM MST reply actions   1 recs

meanwhile

there’s talk about new teams in the future. Seattle wants/needs a team back, Nets may move to Brooklyn and NJ wants Newark to have a team. And then there’s the almost certain-to-be Vegas team. So unless any of these teams you’re talking about demoting or eliminating decides to move, we’ll see an influx of teams.

by KnowGood on Nov 28, 2009 11:47 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Lord I hope not...

I would think some teams might move before adding any new ones…

The Kings seem destined to be out of Sactown and it has never made sense to me that the Clippers were in LA

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 1:06 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

We’ll probably see relocation before we see expansion.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 1:10 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

At least two teams shouldn’t exist: the Memphis Grizzles and Charlotte Bobcats. They both exist only because the NBA thinks it can keep expanding. The NBA at least had some reason for thinking so during the mid-nineties, but it would seem that Vancouver couldn’t support a team. If the NBA thought it could, its research was wrong or inadequate. But the addition of a new team in 2005 or 2006 was ridiculous. I hear that the owners of both teams want to sell; the Grizzlies have been for sale for a while. And the Bobcats have been around for only a few years!

by species8473 on Nov 28, 2009 1:20 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Hey Mike

16 games are done.. does that mean the 19.51219512195122% Report is coming up?

by brian13 on Nov 28, 2009 12:00 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Useless factoid of the day

Did you know that If you write ANY fraction in decimals, the digits either end finitely or is ultimately periodic?

Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!

by gadogry on Nov 28, 2009 12:04 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

ultimately periodic?

i’m not quite sure what that means..

by brian13 on Nov 28, 2009 7:45 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Ultimately periodic

means that, at some point, it’s just a group of digits repeating themselves over and over and over again.

For example, 1/82 = 0.12195121951219512195….

Grant Hill is totally the next MJ!!

by gadogry on Dec 1, 2009 10:28 AM MST up reply actions   0 recs

Knicks

If I may, I would like to predict that the Knicks game (after Toronto) will be not necessarily difficult, but dangerous (unlike this Minnesota game). The Knicks aren’t good, but I understand they run and that their coach used to coach the Suns at some point.

by species8473 on Nov 28, 2009 12:56 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

Ya but

We have a efficient half court set, AND we can run… BTW we have something Dantoni hates to hear and its called defense.

by Will Smith on Nov 28, 2009 1:24 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

About that...

The Suns rank 21st in defensive efficiency allowing 106.2 points per 100 possessions while the Knicks rank just behind them at 24th allowing 107.2 points per 100 possessions.

Being 1/100th of a point better per possession is hardly something to brag about. What the Suns do have is a far more efficient offense than the Knicks. O! the irony…

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 28, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

something else...

…and it is called BENCH!!

by zeze_999 on Nov 28, 2009 1:42 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

something esle....

….and his name’s Nash!

by Chucko on Nov 28, 2009 3:13 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

something else....

….and it’s .384 opponents! [ Record of the teams beat so far: 85-136 ]

by dCoye on Nov 28, 2009 5:56 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

it's a little skewed...

after playing minnesota twice already, the first time, they had zero wins, and now, they still have one win.

Bright Side of the Sun, where Suns basketball never looked so good.

by iamtrevorpaxton on Nov 28, 2009 7:29 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

He used to coach the Suns, but this isn't the same team he coached.

It’s not like D’antoni knows the secrets we keep, because we’ve cleaned house pretty good since he’s been gone.

Fanaticism is not logical

by SunDolphin on Nov 28, 2009 6:15 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

but....

…also keep in mind that we have played in at least five blow out games. where we just coasted through the fourth, not playing lock-down defense. So this stat is not really reflective of our better d this year.

by sunsfan87401 on Nov 28, 2009 5:39 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

The Suns have played 8 game decided by less than 10 pts

and have won 7 of them

Opponents FG% in those games is 47.2% which is inline with the overall performance and good for about 22nd in the L.

If you really want to stretch and look for good news on the defensive end here it is:

In the last 6 games decided by less than 10 points (MIA, BOS, PHI, TOR, HOU, NOH) the Suns have held those opponents to an average FG% of 38.8 in the 4th quarter.

So, I guess you can say that the defense has stepped up when it matters and certainly the MIA, BOS, TOR and HOU games were won with solid D. The Philly game we just out-scored them and we lost the NOH game and they put up big numbers in the 4th.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Nov 28, 2009 6:30 PM MST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't care, he'll be better than his brother

If only because Robin is a Sun!

Fanaticism is not logical

by SunDolphin on Nov 28, 2009 6:14 PM MST reply actions   0 recs

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