Game Thread: Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves
If you're a regular on this blog, you probably have noticed that I haven't posted anything for a couple of days. I'm sorry about that. I needed a break. Just like the Suns seem to have been burning out over the past few games, I've gotten the same way. An 82 game season is long. And it certainly wasn't fun watching or writing about the past two games. I can't imagine it was much fun playing in them either.
But tonight is the time to get the excitement back. There are only 16 games left in the season. And then the playoffs start. The Suns can wrap up the Pacific Division with a win tonight.
It sounds like Mike D'Antoni is ready for some changes as well. He's going to start Leandro Barbosa tonight (thanks Vash01 for the Diary on this). He is going to play Jalen Rose tonight (thanks TexSUN for the Diary on that). And the Suns should hopefully run the Timberwolves out of the building.
Do I think they will? It's hard to say. Who knows which Suns team will show up tonight? The good thing is the Suns play the Timberwolves tonight. Then they play the Kings on Thursday and Sunday. I get to go to the game on Thursday and I'll be yelling for them to run, run, run, run.
The Suns have played the Timberwolves enough now to know what they need to do. Double Kevin Garnett. Even if it's a run-at just to get him to pick up the ball. That's better than letting him take someone one-on-one and kill the team that way.
I'll be excited to watch this game and see how the Suns handle themselves. It should be a good game. If anything, it's a good barometer to see where the Suns minds' are at a few weeks before the playoffs start.
What are your thoughts on tonight's game and the possibilities for the rest of the season?
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Well...
by TexSUN on Mar 20, 2007 1:52 PM MDT 0 recs
Tonight
It sounds like D is planning to play run run run. I hope they won't forget to grab the rebounds. I think this team has too much pride (esp.Nash, Marion, STAT) to not fight back tonight.
Jalen is a real leader. I hope D will use that aspect of his presence on the court, and not just stop with 2-3 min. in the game. For the Suns' sake I hope he will be the sparkplug.
I expect a better performance (they could not play much worse) tonight; I don't know if it will be enough to win. The fact that LAL beat Minn recently gives me some hope. I think by Thurs. they will get back on track.
P.S. I was talking to a woman at work- she was a Suns season ticket holder for many years. She said they do it every year- at this time of the year- because they want people to think (their opposition) they are not so good. Then they come back in the playoffs. She may be right, but I want to see that resiliency from them right now.
by Vash01 on Mar 20, 2007 2:32 PM MDT 0 recs
It's a matter of perspective
by TexSUN on
Mar 20, 2007 3:02 PM MDT
up
0 recs
American Legends
http://www.americanlegends.info
by JMEnglish on Mar 20, 2007 5:54 PM MDT 0 recs
Suns chances against Spurs/Mavs?
Thank You...
by lalbert on
Mar 21, 2007 9:44 AM MDT
up
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Well...
by TexSUN on
Mar 21, 2007 10:09 AM MDT
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Yes
The Suns know they are not there yet, and they are working toward it. They did not even celebrate their Pacific Division title after the game last night. They want the NBA championship and they are determined to work hard for it.
In last night's game I could see them hustle for every ball right from the start. They struggled initially (shooting wise) and were able to beat a team that is struggling, but that does not diminish their accomplishment. It is very difficult for any team to come back from the kind of drubbings they took in the 2 games last week. This game was a HUGE improvement and that's what they needed- get going in the right direction. They were outrebounded, but not by much. They had twice as many points in the paint as the Twolves.
The Suns wins against the Spurs and the Mavs in particular were BIG accomplishments and I would not belittle them. I am more concerned about their first round at this point because it is easy to overlook their opponent in the first round compared to what's coming up in the 2nd and 3rd.
There is never a guarantee that a top team- including Mavs and Spurs- will move into the 2nd round, so it remains only a possibility and I believe the Suns are preparing for it. Can they win a 7-game series against these two teams? On paper they have the talent to do it. It's a matter of doing it. If they have the will of last year's team, they will do it. I hope they can develop that part of their psyche.
by Vash01 on Mar 21, 2007 10:37 AM MDT 0 recs















