Robin Lopez Update

[Griffin]

According to Coro, Lopez will miss the entire first-round series.

With at least another week ahead for Suns center Robin Lopez's rehabilitation for a bulging disk in his back, coach Alvin Gentry remains pessimistic about Lopez's playoff availability and ruled out a return for a first-round series.

"The visit he had to the doctor was pretty positive, but still we're not having him for the playoffs, not for the first series, anyway," Gentry said. "It's not anything where we'll even take a remote chance. If he's ready to go, we'll play him. If not, everybody's got to step up a little bit."

If Lopez is cleared, he still would need time to get back into game condition. His cardiovascular work has been limited to the pool.

"We just have to be smart with it," Gentry said. "One of the reasons you add depth and develop your bench is for situations like that."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/04/13/20100413phoenix-suns-robin-lopez.html

 

[Errntknght]

sheesh. not sure the cheap shot was needed... but am I know for dismissing d-league players who end up being good? When was the last time that happened?

and you see no downside to playing a guy who hasn't been able to stick on an NBA team for 4 years right in the middle of chasing down homecourt advantage which this team desperately needs? That makes very little sense to me.

I didn't specifically mention D-Leaguers because thats not what I meant. I was thinking of Dragic, who you saw nothing worthwhile in early in last season when I was begging for Gentry to expand his minutes. Then there was David Lee, who you couldn't vilify enough when the question of the Suns drafting him arose.

And yes, I do want Jones to get some court time at this late and critical part of the season. Hopefully, it can be done without risk of turning a win into a loss but, its better to get a look now than during the playoffs. I wouldn't expect him to have significant role but I'd like Gentry to feel like he could put him in a game for a bit when we are getting killed on the boards. Its even possible that he is a much sturdier defender down low than Collins or Frye. Or the outcome of the first look might be that he really doesn't belong on the floor in an NBA game at this time. In any case, an unknown is removed.

 

[AzStevenCal]

And yes, I do want Jones to get some court time at this late and critical part of the season. Hopefully, it can be done without risk of turning a win into a loss but, its better to get a look now than during the playoffs. I wouldn't expect him to have significant role but I'd like Gentry to feel like he could put him in a game for a bit when we are getting killed on the boards. Its even possible that he is a much sturdier defender down low than Collins or Frye. Or the outcome of the first look might be that he really doesn't belong on the floor in an NBA game at this time. In any case, an unknown is removed.

Well, we got a look at him last night but I'm not sure if we learned anything. I don't know about anyone else but I believe that Collins is showing some slight improvement game to game. I'd like to see Jones get a little time but Collins probably needs the court time also. But in the end, I doubt if either can guard Duncan or Bynum without a lot of help.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

I didn't specifically mention D-Leaguers because thats not what I meant. I was thinking of Dragic, who you saw nothing worthwhile in early in last season when I was begging for Gentry to expand his minutes. Then there was David Lee, who you couldn't vilify enough when the question of the Suns drafting him arose.

true... but everyone's wrong on draft picks. D-Leaguers are a COMPLETELY different story.

And yes, I do want Jones to get some court time at this late and critical part of the season. Hopefully, it can be done without risk of turning a win into a loss but, its better to get a look now than during the playoffs. I wouldn't expect him to have significant role but I'd like Gentry to feel like he could put him in a game for a bit when we are getting killed on the boards. Its even possible that he is a much sturdier defender down low than Collins or Frye. Or the outcome of the first look might be that he really doesn't belong on the floor in an NBA game at this time. In any case, an unknown is removed.

Call me crazy, but I think the fact that he hasn't even been on an NBA roster for 77 games this season shows that he doesn't belong on the floor in an NBA game. That's a mountain of evidence right there. Especially as we try to secure a top 3 seed. You say a couple minutes here or there, but at this point in the year, with the schedule they've faced EVERY minute is critical. He's been out of college for 4 years and hasn't been able to stick anywhere. That's a pretty known commodity if you ask me.

 

[BC867]

Call me crazy, but I think the fact that he hasn't even been on an NBA roster for 77 games this season shows that he doesn't belong on the floor in an NBA game. That's a mountain of evidence right there. Especially as we try to secure a top 3 seed. You say a couple minutes here or there, but at this point in the year, with the schedule they've faced EVERY minute is critical. He's been out of college for 4 years and hasn't been able to stick anywhere. That's a pretty known commodity if you ask me.

The worst player in the NBA is still a damn good basketball player.

Just not as good as the rest.

But the downside is certainly less with a role-playing Center who is expected to set picks, rebound some and be a big body in the paint.

Especially when Collins and Jones are all we have in that category right now.

And yes, Collins was impressive in that role when given a bit more of a chance last night. As I expect Jones will be.

We're going to need that type of role-player from this point on.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The worst player in the NBA is still a damn good basketball player.

yeah, compared to you and me.

Just not as good as the rest.

just not ANY WHERE CLOSE to as good as the rest... and this guy is WORSE than that as evidenced by him being around for 4 years and getting fewer and fewer looks from NBA teams, including this season when NO ONE wanted him.

But the downside is certainly less with a role-playing Center who is expected to set picks, rebound some and be a big body in the paint.

disagree. Setting picks, rebounding and playing defense actually take TALENT. Just cause your big and you can do something with guys who can never sniff the NBA doesn't mean ANY of that will translate to the next level. If the guy could be a role player who could set picks, rebound and be a big body in the paint, we the heck is he not a rotation player on one of 32 teams. I mean, he's not even on a roster. If he could do the above, he would be. Plain and simple. Especially after four years out of college.

Especially when Collins and Jones are all we have in that category right now.

Do you remember how ATROCIOUS Pat Burke was in just a couple minutes in Game 5 against the Spurs with the suspensions? He was a "big body" and his minutes HURT the team dramatically. Hell, they hurt the team dramatically every time he was on the court.

And yes, Collins was impressive in that role when given a bit more of a chance last night. As I expect Jones will be.

Why you'd expect Jones, who's washed out with every club he's been on and apparently has only gotten worse as a player as he's gotten older, getting less and less run as he's gotten older to be "impressive" in that role... or even adequate is beyond me. He's not Collins. He's not a guy who's been a rotational player on playoff teams throughout his career.

We're going to need that type of role-player from this point on.

you're right, unfortunately, you can't play what you don't have. And we don't have another role player with Collins ability/experience.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I mean, Jones-guys, ask yourself this... if Gentry has shown you that he values big guys by inserting Robin into the starting lineup, then inserting Collins into the lineup after he went down, couldn't it just possibly be... that he KNOWS Jones will hurt the team more than he helps it and is just a body needed for practice?

I mean, Gentry isn't DA. He's not a gimmick coach and never has been. Some time's the answer to your question is the most obvious one... a guy who can't make an NBA roster all season shouldn't get time on a team challenging for the title. Simple as that.

 

[Cheesewater]

From Coro's blog. Not much but it's something encouraging.

Lopez continues progress
Phoenix Suns update: Suns center Robin Lopez was cleared Monday to begin running on a treadmill and expand his court work. For a second consecutive Monday, Lopez received a positive examination allowing him to do more work in his rehabilitation from a bulging disk that has kept him out of action since March 28. "It’s going as well as it possibly could be," Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said. "What it mean in terms of him actually playing, who knows?"...
Monday, April 19, 2010 at 04:40 PM

 

[Covert Rain]

We could really use his length. Not that he is a rebounding machine or anything. We need his size to keep Portland's bigs honest. He could help keep them out of the box and intimidate the Portland guards from getting to the basket anytime they want.

Let's face it, the Portland guards are going to have there way with the Suns this entire series IMO unless we change something up.

 

[SirStefan32]

Let's face it, the Portland guards are going to have there way with the Suns this entire series IMO unless we change something up.

Yeah, Collins needs to knock Miller and Bayless on their ass the very first time they drive in and go for a layup. They'll stop that real fast once they get knocked down a time or two.

 

[mojorizen7]

Yeah, Collins needs to knock Miller and Bayless on their ass the very first time they drive in and go for a layup. They'll stop that real fast once they get knocked down a time or two.

I completely agree but unfortunately that would be very uncharacteristic of this team.....or any other Suns team in recent memory.
Andre Miller will shy away from contact if given the incentive to do so IMO....I'm not sure about how Bayless would react.

 

[95pro]

i think miller would continue to attack even if fouled hard.
he always been a big guard who likes to attack.

bayless, i think get shy away more. he doesnt have the frame to take punishment of hard fouls.

will collins or the suns foul hard? no. maybe just frye will do some hard swipping. but we cant afford to lose to foul trouble.



just like they threw different defenders and looks at amare, we got to do the same to miller. switching up with hill, dragic and duds.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I completely agree but unfortunately that would be very uncharacteristic of this team.....or any other Suns team in recent memory.
Andre Miller will shy away from contact if given the incentive to do so IMO....I'm not sure about how Bayless would react.

Frye has seemed more than willing on more than one occasion this year.

 

[SirStefan32]

Frye has seemed more than willing on more than one occasion this year.

Yeah, both Fry and Lopez have had some Barkley-style fouls this year.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

bayless, i think get shy away more. he doesnt have the frame to take punishment of hard fouls.

bayless loved contact in college. he won't shy away from it.

 

[Bert]

Funny, if you had told me a year ago that we'd all be bummin big time because Robin freaking Lopez was missing the playoffs I would have laughed at you and told you to quit sniffing glue. He's been an exceptionaly awesome surprise!

Get well soon RoLo, we need ya man!

 

[95pro]

bayless loved contact in college. he won't shy away from it.

does college contact = nba contact? lmk

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

does college contact = nba contact? lmk

running into 6'9 230lbs guys isn't that different than running into amare or frye.

 

[elindholm]

The problem with Frye's "hard" fouls is that they're so obviously gratuitous. He's beat and can't make a play, so he just horse-collars someone. I'm surprised he hasn't picked up more flagrants. You don't send much of a message by saying, "Yeah, I can't guard you, but maybe I'll cheap-shot your ass."

 

[Bert]

The problem with Frye's "hard" fouls is that they're so obviously gratuitous. He's beat and can't make a play, so he just horse-collars someone. I'm surprised he hasn't picked up more flagrants. You don't send much of a message by saying, "Yeah, I can't guard you, but maybe I'll cheap-shot your ass."

Idk Bruce Bowen made himself a pretty good career following that philosophy.

 

[jagu]

bayless loved contact in college. he won't shy away from it.

Maybe we should frame him for murder and send him to a Mexican prison.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Maybe we should frame him for murder and send him to a Mexican prison.

He's a UofA guy... just give it time

 

[elindholm]

Idk Bruce Bowen made himself a pretty good career following that philosophy.

No, Bowen could do both. He was a pretty good defender, and then he held the cheap shots in reserve. The threat of the cheap shot made his regular defense more effective, but he would have been above average even without it.

 

[Bert]

No, Bowen could do both. He was a pretty good defender, and then he held the cheap shots in reserve. The threat of the cheap shot made his regular defense more effective, but he would have been above average even without it.

I know I was just taking a 'cheap shot' of my own.

<----Bitter Suns fan

 

[SactownSunsFan]

Any news on Robin? I believe he was supposed to have been re-evaluated today.