Bright Side Of The Sun - Full Coverage: Suns Host Wolves, March 22Dedicated to Phoenix Suns Basketball since 2006https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47819/bs-fv.png2013-03-22T21:15:43-07:00http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/rss/stream/39014772013-03-22T21:15:43-07:002013-03-22T21:15:43-07:00Suns eaten by Wolves, carcass left bone dry
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SLuZNXZQRFPdTVGAhA-7f3opPis=/1012x255:3819x2126/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10268471/20130106_lbm_as8_234.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In a battle for (apparently) ping pong balls, the Wolves forgot to play down to their competition while the Suns were more than ready to roll out the ball and wait for the final buzzer.</p> <p>No game this season has left me with an emptier feeling about this team, and I love the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> with a passion.</p>
<p>Over the course of this season, my first with media access to the team, has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I love this team, and now I get to talk to them and write about what I've seen first-hand without just taking someone else's word for it.</p>
<p>But I've never really followed a Suns team just going through the motions to finish the season.</p>
<p>Now, I can say I am watching that happen right now.</p>
<p>It baffles me, though. These are NBA players who, purportedly, have poured their entire lives into this sport. How can you just mail it in so often? And so dramatically?</p>
<p>How can you feel so entitled to your salary?</p>
<p>How can you conclude that the millions of dollars in your pocket deserve anything less than 100% of your effort for <b>SIX OR EIGHT HOURS A WEEK</b>!!</p>
<p><span>Goran Dragic</span> gives it his all every night. As does <span>Luis Scola</span>. And <span>P.J. Tucker</span>. Kudos to them. But this is a 5-on-5 game.</p>
<p>The other guys who play hard every game -- Jermaine O'Neal and <span>Jared Dudley</span> -- were out tonight, making it even more obvious just who isn't cutting it.</p>
<p>Not to say some of the other guys didn't try - Haddadi put out effort, as did Shannon Brown and Wesley Johnson - but they seemed to have no idea where to put that effort into good use.</p>
<p>As much as we want to blame the coach, and the front office, we also need to blame the PLAYERS. They are the ones not giving their 100% effort every single minute on the court.</p>
<p>The Suns lost by 30 tonight. And it wasn't even close at any point in the game.</p>
<p>UGLY.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/3/22/4137980/final-score-suns-punked-by-timberwolves-117-86Dave King2013-03-22T18:30:04-07:002013-03-22T18:30:04-07:00Thread: Suns/Wolves, Let's Go!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HJ-5BGS0cEVuG5hUKN4rVOA0Htc=/0x1111:2667x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10259581/20130108_kkt_ah7_527.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let's go!</p> <p>Come on Suns!</p>
<h3> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> <div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix"><div class="next_game"> <h3>Next Game</h3> <div class="pane-body"> <p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> <br> <span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> </span></p> <p class="game-info"><span>Friday, Mar 22, 2013, 7:00 PM MST</span><br> US Airways Center</p> <div class="coverage"><div class="entry"> <h5><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/3/22/4136144/nba-game-preview-minnesota-timberwolves-23-43-at-phoenix-suns-23-46">Game Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (23-43) at Phoenix Suns (23-46)</a></h5> <p class="byline"><span class="author">posted by <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/authors/dave-king">Dave King</a></span> <span class="time">about 6 hours ago</span></p> <p class="byline">8 comments | 0 recs</p> </div></div> <p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p> </div> </div></div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> <br id="1363998169156"> </h3>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/3/22/4137424/gamethread-suns-host-grizzlies-7pm-az-timeDave King2013-03-22T11:27:42-07:002013-03-22T11:27:42-07:00Preview: Suns Host Wolves, hoping for inspiration
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o3uZBn-1cHjVjeozRSz9eCnCZd8=/190x623:2774x2346/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10239689/20121004_mjr_su5_088.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For the third time this season, the Phoenix Suns take on the Wolves in a matchup that has more to do with lottery balls and late-season pride than anything else.</p> <p>The Wolves entered the season with dreams of the playoffs in their heads, but ended up right back where they've been <strike>for eons</strike> since they traded <span>Kevin Garnett</span> to Boston in 2007.</p>
<p>This time, a major injury to Kevin Love played the biggest part in the Wolves inability to sniff the playoff picture. The team began the season with a bang (and even without Love) at 16-15, only to fall completely apart to the tune of a worse-than-the-Suns 7-28 since then.</p>
<p>Love is still not back, though Ricky Rubio is getting stronger and stronger by the month even though he still can't hit his jumper consistently. Head coach <span>Rick Adelman</span> has missed a lot of time this season with an ill wife, and the Wolves have endured a handful of other major injuries to mess with their rotation.</p>
<h3>Last matchup</h3>
<p>The last matchup, in Phoenix, was one of the worst overtime basketball games I've ever witnessed. The Suns eventually won 84-83 after 53 minutes of play, outscoring the Wolves 7-6 in the overtime period.</p>
<p>It was a breakout game for former Timberwolf Wesley Johnson: 14 points (on 7-14 shooting), 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Since this game on February 26, Johnson has been a rotation regular and one of the few bright spots on the season.</p>
<p>Conversely, another former Wolf - Michael Beasley - had a terrible game with 4 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in only 13 uninspired minutes.</p>
<h3>Wolves on the road</h3>
<p>Minnesota has lost 17 of their last 18 on the road, so don't be surprised if the Suns pull out another win.</p>
<h3>Key Matchup</h3>
<p>Each game, it seems the Suns' <span>Goran Dragic</span> must face another elite point guard. So far, Dragic has faired well in just about every PF matchup this season including last time against Rubio.</p>
<p>In the last game, Rubio finished with only 5 points, 10 assists and 4 steals (but 6 turnovers to boot). Dragic had 10 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds (with 3 turnovers). It was a wash.</p>
<h3>Worst perimeter shooting team in the NBA</h3>
<p>You thought I was going to say the Suns right? Wrong.</p>
<p>It's the Wolves who are worst in the NBA, though they have recently returned Chase Budinger to their lineup after missing all but 6 games this season. On the season, the Wolves have hit only 29.4% of their three-pointers and have been even worse on the road.</p>
<p>Budinger can hit the outside shot, but he needs to share his minutes with Andre Kirilenko and is still getting into game shape.</p>
<h3>Suns injuries</h3>
<p>Certainly, starting center <span>Marcin Gortat</span> is out. Possibly, Jermaine O'Neal (calf strain) is out as well.</p>
<p>That leaves <span>Hamed Haddadi</span> to man the pivot with PFs <span>Markieff Morris</span> and <span>Luis Scola</span> backing him up. Scola has done well against bigger centers this season by annoying them on defense and pulling them out of the paint on offense. Maybe he will do that to Pekovic tonight.</p>
<h3>Lotto balls</h3>
<p>As the season progressed, the Suns went from hoping for the Wolves' first-round pick (if they made the playoffs) to hoping to fend off the Wolves for a higher pick overall.</p>
<p>Both teams have 23 wins on the season, though the Wolves have done it in 3 fewer games.</p>
<p>Just like Wednesday's game, the Suns are fighting for lotto position while also fighting for inspired play that can portend well for next season.</p>
<h3>Wolves stats</h3>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget basketball_team_stats clearfix">
<div class="pane-body">
<table class="zebra">
<thead class="super-head"><tr>
<th class="td-first"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th colspan="3">FG</th> <th colspan="3">3PT</th> <th colspan="3">FT</th> <th colspan="3">Rebounds</th> <th colspan="6">Misc</th>
</tr></thead>
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-first"></th> <th>G</th> <th>M</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Off</th> <th>Def</th> <th>Tot</th> <th>Ast</th> <th>TO</th> <th>Stl</th> <th>Blk</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PPG</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Kevin Love</span></td>
<td>18</td>
<td>34.3</td>
<td>5.8</td>
<td>16.6</td>
<td>35.2</td>
<td>1.1</td>
<td>5.1</td>
<td>21.7</td>
<td>5.6</td>
<td>7.9</td>
<td>70.4</td>
<td>3.6</td>
<td>10.4</td>
<td>14.0</td>
<td>2.3</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td class="td-last">18.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Nikola Pekovic</span></td>
<td>51</td>
<td>31.4</td>
<td>6.1</td>
<td>11.9</td>
<td>50.8</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>3.6</td>
<td>4.9</td>
<td>72.9</td>
<td>3.8</td>
<td>5.0</td>
<td>8.8</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td class="td-last">15.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Andrei Kirilenko</span></td>
<td>48</td>
<td>32.9</td>
<td>4.6</td>
<td>9.0</td>
<td>50.9</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>29.2</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>76.5</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>4.1</td>
<td>5.9</td>
<td>2.8</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>1.1</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td class="td-last">12.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Luke Ridnour</span></td>
<td>66</td>
<td>31.2</td>
<td>4.7</td>
<td>10.5</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>2.8</td>
<td>31.0</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>83.5</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>2.7</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0.2</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td class="td-last">12.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Derrick Williams</span></td>
<td>62</td>
<td>24.1</td>
<td>4.2</td>
<td>10.1</td>
<td>42.0</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td>31.2</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>69.3</td>
<td>1.2</td>
<td>4.3</td>
<td>5.6</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.6</td>
<td class="td-last">11.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Chase Budinger</span></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>22.6</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>8.1</td>
<td>47.4</td>
<td>1.1</td>
<td>3.7</td>
<td>30.8</td>
<td>2.6</td>
<td>3.1</td>
<td>81.8</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>2.9</td>
<td>3.6</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td class="td-last">11.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>J.J. Barea</span></td>
<td>58</td>
<td>23.6</td>
<td>4.3</td>
<td>10.5</td>
<td>40.7</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>3.7</td>
<td>34.4</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>80.2</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>4.1</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td class="td-last">11.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Ricky Rubio</span></td>
<td>41</td>
<td>29.4</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>8.4</td>
<td>35.8</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>19.6</td>
<td>3.4</td>
<td>4.3</td>
<td>77.5</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>3.1</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>7.2</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>0.1</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td class="td-last">9.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Alexey Shved</span></td>
<td>61</td>
<td>26.1</td>
<td>3.4</td>
<td>9.1</td>
<td>36.7</td>
<td>1.2</td>
<td>4.2</td>
<td>28.9</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>2.3</td>
<td>72.7</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>1.6</td>
<td class="td-last">9.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Dante Cunningham</span></td>
<td>65</td>
<td>25.1</td>
<td>3.7</td>
<td>8.1</td>
<td>45.6</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>59.8</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>3.2</td>
<td>5.1</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td class="td-last">8.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Mickael Gelabale</span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>4.6</td>
<td>52.7</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.7</td>
<td>31.3</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>87.5</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>3.3</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>0.1</td>
<td>1.6</td>
<td class="td-last">6.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Brandon Roy</span></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>24.2</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>7.0</td>
<td>31.4</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>70.0</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>2.8</td>
<td>4.6</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td class="td-last">5.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Chris Johnson</span></td>
<td>21</td>
<td>11.8</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>3.2</td>
<td>63.2</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>60.0</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>1.6</td>
<td>2.5</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>1.2</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td class="td-last">5.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Malcolm Lee</span></td>
<td>16</td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>4.8</td>
<td>38.2</td>
<td>0.5</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>33.3</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>60.0</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>1.3</td>
<td>0.6</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td class="td-last">4.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><span>Greg Stiemsma</span></td>
<td>61</td>
<td>14.5</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>3.3</td>
<td>44.6</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.7</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>75.0</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>2.2</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>0.8</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>1.2</td>
<td>2.3</td>
<td class="td-last">3.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><br id="1363976103525"></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Next Game</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> <br><span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Friday, Mar 22, 2013, 7:00 PM MST</span><br> US Airways Center</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><br id="1363976133358"></p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/3/22/4136144/nba-game-preview-minnesota-timberwolves-23-43-at-phoenix-suns-23-46Dave King