Over on Russo’s Rants we’re hearing Wild coach Jacques Lemaire is through coaching here in Minnesota and likely anywhere else. Could Kevin McHale be far behind? Just listen to some of the words he uttered tonight after the Wolves’ dismal performance against Phoenix:

“Terrible effort from start to finish.”
“Terrible the whole night.”
“No bright spots, no nothing.”
“We just weren’t ready to play.”
“We didn’t compete.”
“Disgusting.”
“I feel bad for the fans.”

An eight-point first quarter set the tone at Target Center and the Wolves sleep walked from there. They showed a little urgency at times, but it was far from enough. Was this really the same team that just showed all that fire on the road last week?

“I was very much surprised by it,” McHale said of tonight’s effort. Well, he said that and not a whole lot else. But what he did say (see above) was plenty.

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Kevin Ollie joins the injury parade tonight. He will sit this one out with a hip ailment. Randy Foye also will not play because of his lingering hip issues. And of course, no Al Jefferson or Corey Brewer.

Hey - good news though on Rodney Carney. He’ll be back in there tonight against the Suns.

A Wolves win tonight would give them a season series victory over Phoenix for the first time since 2003-04. The teams have each notched a win so far this season, each winning on the road.

Saw about 30 or so Suns fans lined up on the corner of 7th and 2nd (I think that’s the location …. It was some corner back behind Target Center anyway) more than two hours prior to gametime to get a glimpse of players walking into the arena. No doubt they were hoping to see Shaq. Fans inside will get to see him for a stretch. Coach Alvin Gentry said he will roll with the regular Suns lineup in the first half. From there, don’t be surprised if there’s a good chunk of young players being used.

The Suns have averaged 118 points per game since the All-Star break. Expect some baskets to fall tonight, folks.

Also likely coming down will be Christian Laettner’s rookie records for rebounds (708) and double-doubles (28). Kevin Love enters tonight’s game with 706 rebounds and 27 double-doubles.

The Big Shaqtus, by the way, is shooting 61.1 percent from the field this season - best in the NBA and a career-high for the Diesel.

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