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You can’t say Robin Lopez hasn’t paid his dues!

Last year as a newcomer he was limited mostly to cameo appearances, and lucky to get those. And toward the end when he did get a few walk-ons you had to look really close to see even a potential second or third banana in the making. And even when he started getting somewhat bigger roles this year nobody exactly hung a star on his locker. About the nicest notices he got grudgingly conceded he “might” have a future as a defensive stopper.
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The word for tonight was “good”. Coach Alvin used it five times in the first two minutes of his post game press conference.

It was, he said, a “good” start, a “good” win, a “good” effort overall, a “good” job defensively, and Amare had a really “good” game.

I couldn’t have put it any better myself. But while there was nothing remarkable about beating the talent-challenged Sixers, the surge that has carried the Suns to 10 victories in the last 12 games, lifted them 13 games over .500, and propelled them within striking distance of a two or three seed in the West is QUITE a story.

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(Harry How/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Suns have often been very good, rarely bad, and overall better-than-solid.

They are nine games above .500 at 31-22, and own the sixth playoff seed heading into the All-Star break. They have played 28 road games, more than anyone in the Western Conference except Dallas and New Orleans (both have also played 28). Prior to Wednesday’s loss against Portland, the Suns had won a season-high five straight.

The question is, are you satisfied? [Read more...]

(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images)

This is not the way it was supposed to be. The way it was supposed to be is the Suns would handily dispose of the short-handed Trail Blazers and roll into the All-Star break 11 games over .500, riding the crest of a six-game winning streak, and feeling very good about themselves.

But the way it WAS is the short-handed, sharp-eyed Blazers shot the lights out and handily disposed of the Suns, thus sending them into the break on a discouraging stumble that reawakened all the doubts (both self and yours) that preceded their five-game winning streak. [Read more...]