Suns News: Week 13 1/19-1/25

[Sunsfan4life]

So what would everyone consider a successful homestand now that we have taken part of the "easy" portion of it. We're already 3-0 with Portland,Houston,Clips,Wiz and Bulls on the horizon.

At the beginning of the homestand I said I would be thrilled with 6-2 (that cavs gm was dicey too). Now with Aldridge 50/50 for Weds, I'd say 7-1 is not out of the realm of possibility. Still would be happy with winning 3 of the net 5. Bulls always seem to have our number although Noah hasn't been playing and they just haven't been playing well in general.

[carey]

I was hoping for 5-3, figuring we'd drop 3 out of the Portland, Houston, Clips, Wiz, Bulls series of games. I'd still be happy with that. I'd be ecstatic if we somehow went 7-1 and beat 4 of those teams. That is stuff a top 4 seed would do though and I just don't see us there yet. You can't really mention us in the same breath as Houston, GS, Memphis and Portland.

[Mori Chu]

The game I'm worried about is the Washington game. We'll be playing the Wiz at a time of the season where they're playing pretty well. The Wiz are #2 in the East at 29-13, and they've won 7 of their last 10. John Wall is having just a nasty good season. 17 points, 10.0 assists (1st in NBA), 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 20.7 PER. Beal is also back and healthy. They just seem to know who they are now.

On the flip side, this might be a good time to face the Bulls. They're a bit out of sync due to injuries to Joakim Noah and continued inconsistency from Derrick Rose, among other things. They've lost 2 in a row and 6 of their last 10. Still don't like them as a matchup for us, but if you have to face them, this is a good time for it.

[Shabazz]

The past 3 games weren't much of a concern, although it's good we took care of business when we needed to.

The next 8 games will likely make or break our season.

[carey]

Awww man, someone pissed in my cheerios.

Bah.

The coach added that the soreness is why Len played just 19 minutes in the team's 115-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Monday night. Len scored six points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots in the victory.

"Even though he'll say, 'Yeah, it's OK, it's OK,'" Hornacek said. "When you have the surgeries like that and it starts to get -- I think he's got a little tendinitis in there. We just want to take it easy with him and make sure we don't wear him out."

[Shabazz]

ughhhhhhh

[jkalldaway]

He's fine. The same article says he should be at full strength for tomorrow.

[TOO]

Have faith in the training staff.

[Ring_Wanted]

https://twitter.com/blazerbanter/status/557674733899374593

[carey]

Funny question on the MLK Grantland Basketball Hour I've just got around to listening to: "At what point do teams start losing games to Phoenix on purpose to keep OKC out of the playoffs?"

Bill said he could definitely see teams doing this if Phoenix is still ahead at the end of the season. Especially a team like San Antonio.

[Mori Chu]

I don't know if it will come down to that. What if another team like the Clippers falls out of the playoffs?

[carey]

I don't know if it will come down to that. What if another team like the Clippers falls out of the playoffs?

They might, who knows. I was just repeating the exchange.

[Superbone]

That is an interesting question. A number one seed is going to want no part of OKC in the first round.

[Xylus]

With teams in the West jockeying for position in the playoffs, I don't think there's any way those teams will go easy on us. Every win counts for 1-8. No team is going to intentionally throw a game and hope the Suns pull through. That kind of thing can bite you in the ass. Players want to win every game.

Ultimately, I think that's just wishful thinking.

[INFORMER]

Well I don't think anyone is suggesting the players on the court aren't going to try to win against the Suns. I think would they might be alluding to is team resting their best players in the final games of the regular season against the Suns.

[carey]

Well I don't think anyone is suggesting the players on the court aren't going to try to win against the Suns. I think would they might be alluding to is team resting their best players in the final games of the regular season against the Suns.

I kind of thought that part was clear. We have already determined players don't lose on purpose but we know coaches strategically "rest" guys.

[INFORMER]

Well I don't think anyone is suggesting the players on the court aren't going to try to win against the Suns. I think would they might be alluding to is team resting their best players in the final games of the regular season against the Suns.

I kind of thought that part was clear.

Yeah, just responding to Xylus's point that "players want to win every game."

[carey]

Well I don't think anyone is suggesting the players on the court aren't going to try to win against the Suns. I think would they might be alluding to is team resting their best players in the final games of the regular season against the Suns.

I kind of thought that part was clear.

Yeah, just responding to Xylus's point that "players want to win every game."

Me too.

[INFORMER]

Got it.

[INFORMER]

He's fine. The same article says he should be at full strength for tomorrow.

Have faith in the training staff.

Poor guys.