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Phoenix Suns 5-on-5: Reviewing the first half of the season

By Jeffrey Sanders

Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates with forward P.J. Tucker (17) after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates with forward P.J. Tucker (17) after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates with forward Markieff Morris (11) in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Who was the Suns first half MVP?

Bourguet: Eric Bledsoe. Len has been a game-changer since he was inserted into the starting lineup, but Bledsoe’s been Phoenix’s best player all season long. He leads the team in scoring, assists and steals while also bearing the burden of defending the other team’s best perimeter player. Then again, there really hasn’t been that much competition for this honor, with everyone else having a pretty up-and-down year.

Chasen: It depends how you define MVP. To me, the best player on the Suns is Eric Bledsoe, but to me, the MVP in this context means the most valuable player the team, so I’ll take Markieff Morris. Keef leads the team in plus/minus by OVER 105 points, and in wins, Morris averages more minutes, points, rebounds, assists and steals per game, with a better field goal and free throw percentage, than he does in losses.

Additionally, the Suns are 6-11 when Markieff Morris gets into foul trouble and has four or more fouls, because he isn’t able to help his team with his presence, not to mention that the team is 6-2 when he records a double-double, with one of those losses occurring at Golden State. Morris also has made more clutch baskets (less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter with the score within five points either way) than any other player in the NBA, and he’s shooting 61.5% from the field and 50% from three in that situation. Morris is undeniably the Suns’ best clutch performer, and he’s near the top of the team in just about every category: Fourth in PPG, fourth in APG, tied-first in RPG, third in FG%.

Hann: Eric Bledsoe, with Markieff Morris a close second. Bledsoe has proved to be worth every penny of his 70 million dollar contract, leading the charge on offense while hounding opposing guards defensively. Aside from posting his first two career triple-doubles this season, Bledsoe has averaged 17.2 points, 5.9 assist and 5.2 rebounds a game. In most years those numbers would be a lock for the NBA All-Star game. In his last 10 games Bledsoe has averaged 19.3 points, and in the month of February the point guard has averaged 21.3 points a game, clearly recognizing what is at stake as the season winds down. There is little doubt this Suns team would not even be in the playoff picture without Bledsoe.

Saar: I’d say Markieff Morris. He has just brought a whole new level of consistency, plus…he’s so, so clutch. There are a ton of games the Suns don’t win so far, if Keef isn’t this version of himself.

Schall: Eric Bledsoe. He leads all the starters in PER, and the entire team in estimated wins added. He’s also taken on an alpha-dog quality in the group of lead guards, playing relatively efficient iso-ball when the situation demands it. Markieff Morris has fallen off a bit lately, but also belongs in the discussion.

Next: Evaluating The Phoenix Suns Heading Into The All-Star Break

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