Phoenix good - Wolves Better - Big Al Best!

OK, so I guess calling people out publicly must work. The Wolves have won 2 in a row -- a huge milestone for this young team! I'd better get these posts in quick, before it all goes to hell.

The Suns were coming off a back to back -- and Nash was out on the floor shooting for at least an hour and a half before the game: Free throw after free throw. 3 after 3. The net barely moved most of the time he was practicing. He shoots so effortlessly, it was a thing of beauty. I was admiring the time he put into practicing, when he's already one of the best...then I thought, what a great cycle to be caught up in...I'd practice a lot too, if it went in that often! The Wolves made the mistake of leaving him alone a few times on the perimeter, and Nash punished them every time.

Then Rashad McCants would lapse on his man Raja Bell, and the ball would get in his hands for more 3s. You don't want Raja to get hot. After the first couple series Coach Whittman had seen enough. He sends Corey Brewer to the scorers' table. McCants comes out at the next whistle. He tries to sulk over to the end of the bench, but Whit makes him sit right next to him...cusses him out a couple minutes, then sends him back in for Brewer at the next whistle. Not punishing with the hook. Not a new rotation. Just a good talking-to.

The Suns went up early -- 10 to 2. Then the Wolves woke up and started to hustle, and they were tied with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. The Suns started resting their starters pretty quick -- Grant Hill just getting back from his surgery played light minutes. The Suns played what seemed like a lot of DJ Strawberry and Barbosa at important times in the game, and rested Nash (although the box score only shows 5 minutes for Strawberry). And the Wolves lead got to 20 in the first half. Neither Amare or Principal Skinner's goatee could guard Al Jefferson -- No one could. Big Al had 39 for a career high.

Here's what I love about Al Jefferson: He does whatever it takes to score. Even with several dudes draped over him, he is like a vine, going towards the light with the ball -- using whatever move is necessary to get up and around his man and put the ball into the hole. And he has so many moves. Then, if it is rattling around after his shot or one of his teammates shoots, he does the same thing to get rebounds.

Ryan Gomes has been getting a lot of boards too -- and the offensive boards were a HUGE difference in this game. The Wolves had so many 2nd chances in the first half...it didn't matter if they converted them or not. It kept the ball out of the hands of the Suns' potent offense. And when the Suns would finally get the ball, they would sometimes rush and uncharactaristically turn the ball over. Gomes was quiet in December, but has turned into the player that had Boston buzzing last year (even though we should've drafted him over Bracey Wright in the first place).

The Wolves held AGAIN in the 4th to beat the Suns for the second time this year, prompting the guy I sit next to, David, to say, "Gee, I wish we could play the Suns EVERY game." Hilarious!

The Wolves still have a lot to prove -- especially Randy Foye when he comes back. The draft day trade with Portland looked bad at the time, and looks like a huge screw-up now. But what I like about Foye was his ability to score and make big plays in the 4th quarter. We'll see if he can come through again soon. He's sat in at the broadcast table with Jim Pete and Hanny a couple times this year...and I was really impressed with the things he noticed about the game, and his eye for what worked and what didn't. Hopefully that will translate to the court very soon, and I can pull for Roy without feeling bad for another missed opportunity by the hometown squad.