Valley of the Suns
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Eric Bledsoe: The New Leader Of The Phoenix Suns

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) reacts after scoring a basket in the fourth quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Suns beat the Bucks 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) reacts after scoring a basket in the fourth quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Suns beat the Bucks 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Eric Bledsoe
Feb 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The Numbers

We’ll save last night’s epic performance for the end, but suffice it to say that the season-long numbers for Bledsoe are pretty promising as well. Averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, Bledsoe leads the Suns in scoring, assists and steals.

He’s shooting 45.6 percent from the field, so even though his 33.7 percent shooting from downtown leaves something to be desired, he gets to the line 5.4 times per game (most on the team) and has the highest Player Efficiency Rating of anyone on the roster.

Since the All-Star break, Bledsoe is averaging 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

League-wide, Bledsoe ranks in the top 10 in free throws, free throw attempts and steals. He’s also in the top 15 for minutes played and assists. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Eric Bledsoe seems to be right on the verge of becoming the definitive face of a franchise and breaking through to All-Star potential.

He still has some things to fine-tune, of course. His three-point percentage isn’t quite where it needs to be and he commits an awful lot of turnovers (3.3 per game, 10th most in the NBA).

But for a 25-year-old who is only now having his first healthy season as a starting point guard in this league, the raw numbers suggest Bledsoe could be something special, especially since he spent the better part of the season splitting the ball with two other point guards.

Next: Well-Rounded Play

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