Aside from Tim Duncan and Robert Horry, Robert Sarver is the person most responsible for robbing Steve Nashof an NBA title and keeping the most entertaining team of the last two decades from getting to the NBA Finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves (6-19) vs. Phoenix Suns (11-12) at US Airways Center
The Phoenix Suns come into tonight's game having lost three straight, including their last two at home, with the possibility of having a three-game losing streak at US Airways Center for the first time since January 2009. Only one season removed from a trip to the Western Conference Finals, the Suns are now the poster child for the "What Could Have Been" team. Now, aging Steve Nash is having to carry a team of second-tier wing players and third-tier big men through an ultra competitive West.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are the poster child for the "What Could Be" team. Last night against the Warriors, Jonny Flynn and Martell Webster both looked strong in their 2010 debuts, and while the Wolves may not have won on the scoreboard, you have to give them the moral victory for being able to incorporate two new players into the offense so seemlessly (only 20 turnovers).
I expect that the Wolves are going to be extra angry about the way last night ended and are going to put up a strong performance against the Suns tonight. The game is on Fox Sports North, so lets break down the matchups:
"Steve, what exactly do you mean when you say 'post up'?"
Darko Milicic vs. Channing Frye
With Robin Lopez out, Channing Frye is getting the start in the middle for the Suns. Last season, Frye discovered that he could shoot three pointers and took 172 of them, compared to just 20 total attempts in the previous four years of his career. A side effect of this shooting is that Frye's inside game has suffered. Already a guy lacking in strength, Frye has become a perimeter, European-style of big man.
Given that Frye is the Suns' leading rebounder at 5.8 a game, the Wolves better outrebound the Suns tonight. Last night, Darko had 11 rebounds (and had more offensive boards than Kevin Love) and was able to control the middle against the perimeter-oriented Warriors. With Frye at center, the Wolves will be looking to do more of the same.
By the way, after last night's 25 points and 11 rebounds, I think the "pro-Darko" folks have won this argument. Anti-Darko folks are so outdated at this point, they might as well come with a Beta Max player and a can of Crystal Pepsi. The next question: is Darko the best center in Timberwolves' history?
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