Suns: Will Alex Len Make The Leap In Year 3?
For third-year center Alex Len, the upcoming 2015-16 season is make or break.
Since being drafted fifth overall by the Suns in 2013, Len has made subtle strides in the right direction in terms of his progression. He’s given head coach Jeff Hornacek and general manager Ryan McDonough reason to believe he can play a key role in this team’s bid to return to the playoffs.
However, the time is now for Len to live up to the bill.
In his first season, Len battled multiple injuries, only playing in 42 games. Of those 42 games, the Maryland product only started three times, averaging just 2.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.6 minutes per night.
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Hailed as a rim protector at 7’1″, Len averaged just 0.4 blocks per contest on the other end and allowed players he defended to convert on their shot attempts at a 55.1 percent clip. He was average in every sense of the word.
Last season, though, Len showed some signs of life.
The 22-year-old played in 69 games, starting in 44, proving to be far more durable than he was his first time around. Furthermore, Len’s offensive averages almost tripled as he averaged 6.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22.0 minutes a night. He was also efficient, converting on 50.7 percent of his field goal attempts.
Defensively, Len averaged 1.5 blocks per game and only allowed opposing players to score on 46.2 percent of their attempts, both vast improvements from his rookie numbers.
At last season’s exit interviews, Len talked about where he felt he had improved in his second season.
"“Everywhere,” Len said. “The most important thing for me was like health-wise, just being out there. I think it was a good season, there were ups and downs, we’ve just got to learn from it and it was good experience. We have a good foundation for the future.”"
Confidence in his ability to score will play a huge role in his growth. Len was efficient from the field last season, but he only took an average of 5.1 shots per game. Should he take more advantage of his opportunities, the scoring could go way up this year considering how well he’s been able to capitalize on his attempts in his first two seasons.
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Additionally, the acquisition of Tyson Chandler has the potential to pay dividends for Len’s development. With a Defensive Player of the Year Award under his belt, Chandler’s guidance might help Len become a premier low-post defender. Chandler has always been somewhat limited offensively, though, never averaging more than 11.8 points in a season.
In terms of efficiency, however, Chandler has established himself as one of the most efficient shooters the league has seen throughout his career. He has made a living out of taking high-percentage shots around the basket and his 62.2 true shooting percentage is good for third in NBA history, per Basketball-Refrence.com.
Even with all that Chandler brings to the team individually, his legacy in Phoenix could prove to be predicated around something completely different: Alex Len’s development.
Len might see some time at the four alongside Chandler, who would presumably play the five should the team chose to go big. This is where Len might be at his best.
With Chandler right next to him, Len will be able to play with far more confidence knowing someone with Chandler’s prowess on defense is there to help erase mistakes that he might make. On offense, it’s all going to come down to the work Len has dedicated to his craft this offseason.
According to Markieff Morris, Len has been doing all he can to be the guy this team needs him to be.
"“When he was at his best we were really good this year, protecting the rim for us and having that fight that we need,” he said. “He is a hard-working young man and works really hard every morning lifting weights. He will be real good for us next year.”"
For Alex Len, the goal remains clear: stay on the court and stay the course.
Gerald Bourguet contributed to this report for all exit day quotes.
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