Phoenix Suns: Playoff Hopes Rest on Robin Lopez

With ten games left to play in their season, the Phoenix Suns have surprised not only most of their fans but also some in the national media with their post All-Star Game surge. 

Since the All-Star Game, Phoenix has won 20 of 25 games and pulled to within one and a half games of the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

Not bad for a team that was picked by some for the NBA trash heap as a team on the decline. 

Part of the recent surge can be attributed to the stellar play of Amare Stoudemire who suddenly has fans calling for the owner of the Suns, Robert Sarver, to open up his wallet and give the often inconsistent STAT the max contract he covets.  

During the first half of the season, Suns fans let out a collective yawn when the local paper and talk radio stations brought up the possibility of Amare being traded.  His matador defense and low rebound totals wiped out any good will he had earned with his 20 point per game average. 

But the real difference maker during the second half of the season has been Robin Lopez, the seven foot twin brother of New Jersey Nets phenom Brooke Lopez.

Although Robin may never possess the offensive prowess of his brother, his defense, rebounding, and intimidating inside presence have allowed the entire Suns team to take a deep breath and do what they do best—"score baby score." 

This is especially true of Amare Stoudemire who has benefited from having an agile center in on the floor so Stoudemire can finally play his true position—power forward.

Since Robin Lopez stepped into the starting lineup, Stoudmire's scoring and rebound averages have increased dramatically and the Suns have posted a 23-9 record.

Unfortunately for the Suns, they may have to go for some time without 'side-show Robin' (see The Simpsons).  After struggling to stay on the floor in the past few games because of a sore back, tests have revealed that Robin has a bulging disk and will be sidelined for at least eight of the final 10 games of the season. 

This is not good news for the Suns.  And while coach Alvin Gentry has done a good job of developing a bench and roster that usually goes 10 or 11 players deep, centers Channing Frye and Jaren Collins can't bang the boards and alter shots the way Lopez can. 

Lopez has averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game this season and has helped turn the Suns' rebounding into an asset.

If the Suns are to make it past the first round and perhaps deep into the playoffs, then they better hope they can climb back up on the shoulders of Robin Lopez. But that may not happen if his back doesn't heal, and soon.