2. In what areas did the Suns impress?
Bourguet: Offensively, the Suns are pretty impressive for a team that doesn’t move the ball too much. Markieff Morris’ offensive repertoire has expanded quite a bit and Eric Bledsoe is playing at a level worthy of that huge contract he got this past summer. But most importantly, Alex Len has shown flashes of being a franchise center, which this team desperately needs for defensive purposes.
Chasen: Len looked really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really promising. The guy averages 12 points and 12 rebounds per 40 minutes with a true shooting percentage around 60 (which is better than LeBron James and Dwight Howard). Len heads to the All Star break at 7th in the NBA in blocks per minute, and of players that played in a minimum of 50 games, he’s second in the NBA (behind Rudy Gobert. Other than that? Markieff Morris has been fun (I’ll talk about that later), PG3 has worked (the numbers confirm even if people disagree) and the Suns have hung around despite losing some tough games.
Hann: Individually, Markieff Morris has played great, becoming the Suns go-to player in crunch time. His contract looks like one of the best bargains in the NBA at this point. As a team, the Suns have been a devastating offense at times, utilizing the three-guard lineup. Phoenix may play the most exciting basketball in the league when all three guards are clicking, and the small ball lineup has been a big reason why the Suns are sitting in the eighth spot at the All-Star Break. Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic all average at least 15 points a game.
Saar: I feel their toughness has improved. They don’t back down from tough opponents and except for a handful of exceptions on both extremes are doing better at the whole play down to competition thing, while also being outmatched against the elite teams. They always play hard and are overachieving for a team AGAIN with no All-Star players, but in the thick of the playoff race in the tough Western Conference.
Schall: The aforementioned three guard lineup has been a pleasant surprise. Alex Len’s development has been the best thing to happen to Phoenix this season. After struggling to walk or chew gum much less do both for most of last season, Len looks like he’s a foundational piece in the Suns rebuild. Defensively he’s been a monster blocking over 5% of shots while he’s on the floor and averaging more rebounds per 36 minutes (10.6) than the Morris brothers do per game. Speaking of which Markieff Morris and Eric Bledsoe taking their games to another level has been a joy to watch.
Next: Areas Phoenix Disappointed