Suns notebook: Singletary’s play keeps Dragic on the bench

MINNEAPOLIS - Goran Dragic could have watched Sean Singletary play point guard for the Suns from Solvenia.

After struggling for the first two weeks of his NBA career and adding to Phoenix’s turnover problems, Dragic didn’t get off the end of the bench for the third straight game while Singletary produced eight points and five rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday’s 110-102 win over the Timberwolves.

“We wanted to rest Steve (Nash) after he played (43) minutes in the last game and fortunately Sean went in and did a good job,” said Suns coach Terry Porter.

So good that suddenly, the player the Suns worked all summer to get out of Europe isn’t getting out of his warmups.

“I’m going to talk (to the coaches) because I am here to play and learn,” Dragic said.

Asked if Singletary had solidified himself as the backup to Nash, Porter didn’t sound like he was there yet. “We’ll reevaluate in a couple of games.”

MENTOR PROGRAM

When the T-Wolves were looking for mentors for No. 1 draft pick Kevin Garnett in 1995, they chose a pair of veterans named Terry Porter and Sam Mitchell as training wheels — both of whom are now NBA head coaches.

“Go figure, huh? The brain trust was smart bringing those two veterans in here,” Porter said, smiling. “It was a fun time and Sam and I did a lot of talking to KG and (Step) Marbury. Those kids were so excited to be in the league.”

Porter, who helped the T-Wolves to their first NBA playoff appearance in 1998, continued his winning run against his former teams. The Suns are now 4-0 against teams Porter played for (2-0 against Portland, 1-0 against San Antonio and 1-0 against Minnesota) and 3-0 against the teams he coached (Milwaukee, Sacramento and Detroit). The Suns face Miami, where Porter played one season in 1998-99, on Friday.

FIGHTING THROUGH

After a rough night in Oklahoma City where he made one shot in seven tries over 12 minutes, Leandro Barbosa was feeling the physical effects of back-to-back games after missing more than a week of conditioning.

But he contributed nine points and soaked up 19 minutes when the Suns needed it — scoring seven points in the third quarter when Minnesota made its bid to get back in the game.

“My legs were so heavy. It was on the shooting from the outside and even the layups, I had no energy,” Barbosa said.

“But the coaches were letting me play and I have to do that so I can get back to normal. The good thing is we won and I am happy to be back in the games and with the guys.”

BONUS SHOTS

Nash’s six assists Wednesday gives him 6,907 in his career, leaving him 10 behind Guy Rodgers for 14th on the all-time NBA list. … Stoudemire collected the 3,000th field goal of his career in the second quarter. … O’Neal’s three blocks against Minnesota gives him 2,539 in his career, just four behind Tree Rollins (2,542) for seventh place on the all-time list.

FOR SHAQ, RESTED = READY
In the five games where Shaquille O’Neal has played with at least two days of rest he has averaged nearly a double-double (19.0 points, 9.8 assists), shooting 65 percent from the field (37-for-57).
Date Opponent Pts Rbs FG-FGA Result
Oct. 29 @San Antonio 15 13 5-10 W
Nov. 4 @New Jersey 18 6 7-8 W
Nov. 8 @Milwaukee 29 11 12-16 W
Nov. 20 L.A. Lakers 15 9 6-12 L Nov. 26 @Minnesota 18 10 7-13 W