Ticketed for streaking
Rolling out a few questions about the end of the Phoenix Suns' 17-game win streak on Monday …
What made the Timberwolves the team that did the deed?
The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett, (44 points, 11 boards) was unbelievable. The change in coaches also brings a change in philosophy -- you're seeing more Mark Madsen and Marko Jaric too. Randy Wittman didn't get a fair shake when he was in Cleveland, but he's been there and he's a good coach.
This was the second game of a back-to-back for the Suns, the road trip finale on a cold Minnesota night. Could you see this one coming?
The last game of a five-game roadie is always the toughest. This is the kind of place where a streak goes to die.
For the Suns, you could see there was a fatigue factor. They were hot early on, making 11 of their first 20 3-point attempts. Then they made 4 of 13 3-point shots in the fourth quarter. It caught up to them.
Is there a larger issue regarding weariness that the Suns should be wary of, given the fate of last year's most sizzling regular-season team?
I don't buy into the fatigue as much at that level. We're talking 100 games of basketball, including the postseason. Detroit played so well for so long, and then had their worst hoop come in the playoffs.
When we were talking to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich the other day, he stressed how his team had won it all with the top seed and a three seed, so the emphasis on getting the top seed might not be the most important thing. He says the important thing he wants is for his team be playing its best basketball starting at the end of April.
Is it possible we might see some of the Suns' worst basketball soon?
Don't be surprised if you see them lose some games now. Dallas lost three of five after its winning streak ended this year. When you're rolling along, you tend to kind of overlook things, because you're winning, after all. Not to mention they have San Antonio and Utah coming up.
The Suns' picture remains bright. Mike D'Antoni's style suits Nash's strengths. Or vice versa?
Both. Nash is the system. He knows when he needs to be aggressive, and when he needs to get each teammate involved -- he has a great sense of the game. He was phenomenal again Monday, but didn't finish as well. He had three points on 1-of-6 shooting and one assist in the fourth.
What's it like to play against him?
As a passer, you know he will get his teammates the ball and deliver it on target. He can throw quickly off the dribble with either hand. He's knows that when you hit a shooter, you've got to hit him in rhythm, not down at his ankles.
Inspired by him still?
Every time I watch him play, I wish I was 10 years younger. I'd go to the Suns and tell them I'd pay them to play.
Well, looks like you'll have to settle for his two-disc instructional video. He does have three "baller" wristbands (mottos: perseverance, dedication, hustle) on sale for five bucks. Interested?
Good luck trying to do what he does. It's like Jordan putting out a jumping video. I don't know if you can really put to use the knowledge of what to do while you're in the air for that third second.
Looks like you'll just be wanting the wristbands. Hey, how about the Wolves in the playoffs?
I think it's them and the Clippers fighting for the eighth spot. And either will serve as a sacrificial lamb for the Mavs or Suns.
Jon Barry, who retired last year after 14 years in the NBA, joins Bill Walton and Mike Tirico on the call for Friday's Nets-Magic game (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)
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Alex (Miami, FL): John, Are the Heat going to make a trade soon? I mean this team is not getting it done. Who is going to help this team out?
John Hollinger: Miami doesn't have the pieces to make any earth-shattering deals -- the Heat have nothing another team really wants unless they're willing to trade Wade, which of course they'll never ever do. So it comes down to small stuff -- trading a future pick for a backup PG, or maybe converting Dorell Wright into a wing defender -- that sort of stuff. I think Miami will be very active at the trade deadline; I'm just not sure what the Heat can do to change the landscape much.
Danny Ainge (Boston): If I get the No. 1 pick, should I take Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? Seems like Durant's game is better suited to complement Al Jefferson than Oden's.
John Hollinger: I agree with you there, but the correct move in this situation is to pick the better player and then make trades with the remaining talent. So if you think Oden is better, draft Oden, and trade either Perkins or Jefferson for another asset … you'll end up better off than with Jefferson + Durant.
• See the full John Hollinger chat 
The Suns know they have room for improvement. They know Detroit was in their shoes a year ago (the toast of the league) and ended up disappointed and hurt in the end.
They know 65 wins means nothing if they aren't the lone team left standing after the giants out West get it on in the playoffs. They know that until they win it all, many will consider their high-octane game mere eye candy, a novelty act.
I was talking with one executive/doubter last week who told me to go back to the Bad Boys in '89 and take notice that only one team since them has won an NBA title without a serious commitment to defense. That team was last year's Heat, and they did at least have Shaq and Alonzo in the middle to discourage interlopers.
