This game was supposed to be LaMarcus Aldridge against Kevin Love in the battle for who really deserves to be an All-Star. Instead, Dante Cunningham stole the show. Cunningham had career highs in both points and rebounds, with 18 and 13, respectively. LaMarcus Aldridge took it easy on the Timberwolves and only scored 21. Wesley Matthews led all scorers with 23, and Rudy chipped in a solid 4 threes and 18 points off the bench.
Kevin Love was held to 12 points and 11 rebounds, which barely extended his streak of double-doubles to a total of 41 games in a row. I think since he let Dante Cunningham outperform him with 18 points and 13 rebounds, that Love should be forced to let Cunningham take his spot in the All-Star game! How awesome would that be?
Take that Kevin Love.
After the game, instead of LaMarcus Aldridge getting all the press attention, it was good to hear that Cunningham got a little love. From Joe Freeman's game article last night:
As Aldridge exited his postgame shower and strolled across the locker room, he gazed up and saw Cunningham answering questions from a group of reporters.
"Hey, let me get your phone," Aldridge screamed. "I want to take a picture for you."
Aldridge mockingly called Cunningham "Charles Barkley," "superstar" and "All-Star" at different points. The reserved Cunningham just laughed it off. When the Blazers weren't ribbing Cunningham to his face, they were praising him behind his back.
After the game, instead of LaMarcus Aldridge getting all the press attention, it was good to hear that Cunningham got a little love. From Joe Freeman's game article last night:
As Aldridge exited his postgame shower and strolled across the locker room, he gazed up and saw Cunningham answering questions from a group of reporters.
"Hey, let me get your phone," Aldridge screamed. "I want to take a picture for you."
Aldridge mockingly called Cunningham "Charles Barkley," "superstar" and "All-Star" at different points. The reserved Cunningham just laughed it off. When the Blazers weren't ribbing Cunningham to his face, they were praising him behind his back.
I like Dante Cunningham a lot, and he's a guy I hope we keep around. There's always a place for a hustle guy on the team, right?
