Game Day: Suns (13-28) @ Timberwolves (12-29), Sun 1/17/16

[LazarusLong]

"He needs to flush this season already like it is 2012-13, no ifs, no excuses."

If the Suns keep flushing seasons, they won't need management anymore. Instead, they can hire a Ty-D-Bol attendant...

[The Bobster]

How good would Wilt and Russell be today if they had played in the youth leagues and had the modern training, diet and sports medicine that current players benefit from?

[LazarusLong]

Intriguing question, Bobs.

In today's scheme of things, Wilt might have come to the pros straight from high school. His training regimen might have been different. When he was with the Warriors in Philly, he kept an apartment in NYC and commuted. He was a classic night person, getting about 2-3 hrs. of sleep at night. He was also a notorious coach-killer, often showing up late or not at all for practices, walk-throughs and pre-game meetings.

Russell might have added 10-15 lbs to his frame -- enough to get a bit stronger, but not too much to lose his quickness.

[The Bobster]

Wilt also would have gotten better medical care in 1969 when he had knee surgery and lost some of his mobility. Many of us only remember him from the end of his Laker days when he was a defender/rebounder that only scored big when it was absolutely necessary. He also probably wouldn't have retired early if there was so much money involved when he was playing. He wouldn;t be walking away from a $25 million salary + a shoe endorsement to go play pro volleyball!

[Cap]

Wilt also would have gotten better medical care in 1969 when he had knee surgery and lost some of his mobility. Many of us only remember him from the end of his Laker days when he was a defender/rebounder that only scored big when it was absolutely necessary.

You mean when he shot 72% from the field and led the league in assists?

[LazarusLong]

Good point, Cap.

However, as crazy as it may sound, I think Bobs is implying that Wilt could have played into his mid 40s if he wanted to. His various aches and pains were catching up with him (as was playing against a certain young Milwaukee Bucks center), which is one of the reasons he attempted to jump to the ABA and play against inferior center competition. That didn't pan out, and he would eventually retire after a half-hearted attempt at coaching.

Even still, he entertained offers to come out of retirement as late as the early 1980s.

[The Bobster]

Wilt also would have gotten better medical care in 1969 when he had knee surgery and lost some of his mobility. Many of us only remember him from the end of his Laker days when he was a defender/rebounder that only scored big when it was absolutely necessary.

You mean when he shot 72% from the field and led the league in assists?

He actually led the NBA in assists in 1967-68 with the 76ers, but he was still the league's top rebounder seven of his last eight season (the only exception being the year he hurt his knee and missed 70 games).

After giving up on the ABA and being blocked by the league from joining the Knicks in 1974 Wilt went on to play professional volleyball for a while and then flirting with comebacks with several teams over the next 10 years.

Hell if Kareem, Robert Parish, Dikembe Mutombo and Kevin Willis could play well into their 40's I don't see why Wilt wouldn't have if the money was right.

[The Bobster]

One of my favorite Wilt stories was the one about the time in 1969 when there was a newspaper article (in the PHOENIX GAZETTE I believe) questioning whether his days as a big scorer where numbered. Wilt then went out and dropped 66 on the Suns the next game (9Feb69), shooting 29 of 35 from the field with 27 rebounds.

[LazarusLong]

I remember listening to the game on radio. Both Jim Fox and Neal Walk fouled out trying to stop Wilt's rampage.

I also remember, a year earlier I believe, Wilt got called for a foul, then traveling shortly thereafter and then a technical for barking at the ref. It was against the Bulls. Guys on the press row heard Wilt mutter "Effing refs, Effing Bulls, Effing Chicago ... I'll shove 80 points down their effing throats!"

The reporter recounting the incident said: "Wilt must've gotten tired, because he only put up 68 points ..."

[Ring_Wanted]

"He needs to flush this season already like it is 2012-13, no ifs, no excuses."

If the Suns keep flushing seasons, they won't need management anymore. Instead, they can hire a Ty-D-Bol attendant...

The funny thing is that it's actually the fans who are flushing the seasons. They FO has not actually tried to do it since 2003-04 when they traded Marbury and Penny. 12-13 was horribly bad, but not as result of hitting the reset button. 14-15 was even the opposite to blowing it up as despite the chemistry issues at the deadline they made moves to remain in the playoffs fight. This year they can't afford to commit the same mistake. The Phoenix Suns are the worst team in the NBA.