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Evaluating The Phoenix Suns Heading Into All-Star Weekend

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The Suns won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The Suns won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) against the Toronto Raptors at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Raptors 125-109. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Struggle Between The Young And The Younger

Here’s the problem with the third-youngest team in the NBA already competing for a playoff spot: it’s incredibly hard to determine who is a long-term fit. The balance between competing for the playoffs now — which will most likely end in a first round exit — and developing the younger players is a difficult one to figure out.

For most of the season, the only thing to figure out has been which two young guns will be assigned to the Bakersfield Jam for the weekend.

Against the Sacramento Kings Sunday night, T.J. Warren earned 13 minutes off the bench, recording six points and five rebounds while finishing with a team-high point differential of +13. But then in the Suns’ next game against the Houston Rockets last night, Warren didn’t see the floor.

“Just come out with energy and just defend well, just build off last game, basically,” Warren said about his mentality before the Rockets game. “Stay positive, I want to be aggressive while I’m out there.”

That’s basically what we’ve heard from the younger players all season long: stay positive, be ready, play defense, make the most of opportunities when they come their way. Unfortunately, the only opportunities that have come their way have been with Phoenix’s D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam.

Warren has played a grand total of 147 minutes this season. Archie Goodwin has received 97 minutes, despite doing this unspeakable thing to Jonas Valanciunas once upon a time:

Tyler Ennis (58), Zoran Dragic (13) and Reggie Bullock (four) have really only been seen on the sideline.

All but Dragic are more known for their D-League exploits, and in the case of Goodwin and Warren, fans’ patience is wearing thin. But with the Suns in the middle of their pursuit for a playoff spot, the only game time these younger players have been able to use to develop their games is in Bakersfield.

“I feel like basketball is basketball, whether it’s in the D-League or here,” Warren said. “Bakersfield definitely helps us, it helped me just to stay sharp and be ready to come in when my name is called.”

Warren may be optimistic, and Goodwin’s agent says he’s ready to wait for his opportunity, but with such young talent there for the molding, the frustration is inherently tied in with Phoenix chasing a postseason berth.

Next: Takeaway No. 3 - The Core

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