The Phoenix Suns are not playoff contenders. This was made obvious last month when Suns center Robin Lopez got himself ejected in the second quarter of a “must-win” game by bumping into an official like a petulant middle schooler. To watch Lopez’s bizarre outburst was to see the Suns’ season condensed down to five seconds. It was vaguely threatening at the outset, but ultimately ineffectual, embarrassing, and a bit painful to watch. At the same time, however, Lopez’s antics also highlighted what makes the Suns dangerous in a single game -- they have nothing stopping them from being crazy.
The Suns will need Lopez’s mean-streak when they host the Lakers at U.S. Airways Center.
Sun., Feb. 19, 6 p.m., 2012