And the award goes to....

First let The Fredstrom say that the Suns should have won that game last night. But, The Fredstrom couldn't get over how Nerf-like the Spurs are. So he has decided to hand out some awards...

The first award is for the "Softest Player in the NBA": WoManu Ginobili- when looked at the wrong way his extremities turn to wet spaghetti. He makes soccer players look like super heros.

Owwie.. I got hit in the hair! Another career ending injury!
I got an eyelash in my eye..take me to the hospital!

WoManu down! Get the gurney!

Interestingly enough, WoManu has completely recovered from all injuries, it just takes a blown whistle!

The next award is for "Best Impersonation of WoManu Ginobili": Fabio Oberto- another couple years of tutelage under WoManu and he will no longer be the "Best Unsupported Actor."

The tutelage continues..."See Fabio, when someone runs by you, you act like you've been hit by a truck..."
"Perfect!" Manu is so proud! Isn't playing the refs fun?


Next award is for "Worst Reaction to a Call"- Tim Duncan- putting your hands behind your head with your mouth wide open is just silly and that's all the Fredstrom has to say about that!
Really? Really? Who does this?


The final award of the evening, "Oldest person to use a bib, pacifier, sippy cup, and rattle" -Gregg Popovich- what a baby! Why does he whine so much if they get all the calls and win championships every other year? The Fredstrom thinks he knows why WoManu and Fabio flop so much...if they didn't they wouldn't get the call and this would upset the Fourth Reich a.k.a. the Spurs coaching staff. Heil Poppovich!
WHAAAAA!! "Pop, we've changed your dipey before, it will only take a second."
BOOO WHOOO!!! "Pop, we will get you those animal crackers, RELAX!"

Notable mentions... Bruce Bowen- runner up in all four categories listed above, and of course Robert Horry- "the Million Dollar Cheerleader."

The Fredstrom Mentioned They Were Bi-polar Right?

So the Suns got out rebounded 48-26! Minnesota had 22 offensive rebounds alone! That is an extra 22 possessions. Let's say the Suns only gave up 11 offensive rebounds, that's another 11 possessions for them. Say they shoot 40% from the field, that's another 5 field goals equating to 10-12 points maybe? That also means that the T-Wolves would have had 11 less shots, possibly costing them 10-12 points? That's a 20 point swing! GET TOUGH AND BOX OUT!

A Bi-Polar Planet Orange?

Yes that is the Fredstrom's bobblehead!

So half way through the season the Suns find themselves not playing their best and on top of the Western Conference. Boris Diaw is showing some of his 05-06 self, Barbosa is dialing in, and Raja is looking like is old self as well. Shoot.. Nash's jumper is looking better, STAT is a big freak, that baseline Dr. J dunk last night over Williams was the flush of the year. How can the Fredstrom forget Shawn Marjele, ERRR, Marion, not that the Fredstrom wants to encourage that sort of thing, but you can't deny how hot he has been from downtown.

Looking ahead, the month of February will show us who the Suns really are. They play New Orleans twice, Dallas, Boston, Detriot, the Lakers again, and Golden State. Good news is that they should be able to win at least 6 out of the next 7, San Antonio might be the only loss for the Suns in the next seven games. Even though they have the best record in the West, they are 2-5 against the top teams in the West right now.

The West is pretty wide open right now. There are 10 teams within 7.5 games of first. Does Planet Orange burn itself out for home court advantage? They do play well on the road, but the Fredstrom thinks that D'Antoni should keep doing what he has been the last few games, giving Strawberry more time, even when Grant comes back, and limiting Nash's minutes. Not sure how Banks landed back into the doghouse after that Denver game, but Fredstrom hopes he can get some more time in as well. If we have learned anything from the past few playoff runs, the Suns need to conserve some of that solar energy for their playoff push.

Lots to think about, let Planet Fredstrom know what you think!

No "D" in D'Antoni?

Okay Suns fans, there has been a lot of talk about how weak the Suns are and how strong the Lakers are...it's late December, none of that matters.. What matters is DEFENSE! The Suns have the highest scoring offense in the league (yet again) so obviously when they lose it's not an offensive drought, it's a defensive absence. When they rebound, and swarm (like they did last night against the caveman) they will be much more successful.

Looking at the current standings the Suns are one game out in the west. San Antonio has played 5 more home games than Phoenix, the Lakers have played three more at home. The Suns are 12-6 on the road, the Spurs 5-6, and the Lakers 8-6... The Fredstrom has heard how San Antonio is the team to beat, etc. that may still be true but the Suns are playing bad basketball and are still in it. Barbosa hasn't been that great yet, Raja still hasn't found his jumper, Nash hasn't showed much scoring but we know he's capable, Amare shows up every other game, and sometimes only in the fourth quarter, and don't get the Fredstrom started on Diaw...

The Fredstrom isn't panicking. The Laker loss on Christmas might just be what the Suns needed to kick it up a notch. What do you think?

SUNS UPDATE

The Suns are currently 17-6. The Fredstrom is still not quite sure what they are capable of. The Suns have a very weak interior presence (except last night verse the Jazz), Miami and Minnesota both gave the Suns "the business." Fredstrom is very pleased with Skinner's performance so far. Fredstrom is not pleased with D'Antoni's use of the Suns minutes. It feels like the playoffs with that 7-man rotation. With the Suns up twenty with a few to go, he has the starting lineup in? Many teams have been attacking Steve Nash on the defensive end (especially since the Warriors loss). Fredstrom feels like D'Antoni doesn't adjust defensively very well. The Suns triple team Nash's man and they give up lay-ups. There has to be a happy medium. What do you think?

"Everything is Spiritual" Video Review

So the Fredstrom watched the "Everything is Spiritual" video that was blogged about below. It really was amazing. Rob Bell has to be the best speaker/teacher that the Fredstrom has ever heard. This video was definitely worth the price. The Fredstrom has already lent it out to two different people this week. If you or anyone you know doubts that there is a God, then check this out! Very interesting and presented in a non-preaching or non-confrontive way. Wanna borrow it? Let Fredstrom know...otherwise buy it yourself from www.everythingisspiritual.com (click on title). Wanna preview? Go to iTunes, click on podcasts, this DVD has five short previews you can watch. Enjoy...

Feed the hungry with your brain!

Visit freerice.com (click on title above) to help the United Nations feed the hungry. All you have to do is answer some vocabulary questions. They will give you one word and four possible synonyms. Pick the right one and corporations will donate 10 grains of rice. So far the Fredstrom has donated over 3,000 grains of rice! That's 300 words right baby! Comments? Let me know.. On this Thanksgiving remember not only all that we are thankful for, but remember those not as fortunate.