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Phoenix Suns: Brandan Wright Getting Acclimated

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 15, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) puts up a hook shot against the New York Knicks during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) puts up a hook shot against the New York Knicks during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandan Wright
Mar 15, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) goes up for a dunk against the New York Knicks during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

In Transition

Since the Suns don’t really operate out of many pick-and-roll sets, one of Wright’s greatest skills has been underutilized so far in Phoenix. Had Wright joined the Suns during the Steve Nash era, he might have been a vastly different player operating in pick-and-rolls with the two-time MVP.

However, just because Wright hasn’t quite fit in with the half court offense at times doesn’t mean he’s been completely misused — especially on the team averaging the second-most fast break points per game in the NBA.

“I mean, I fit on the court,” Wright said. “Whatever I can do to help this team, usually I have a big advantage if you put me at center, quickness and athletic ability-wise, but we’ve got to use that. We’ve got to get out and run, we’ve got to gain rebounds, we’ve got to get steals, get in transition and make plays.”

Wright has been at his best with the Suns in transition, with Phoenix’s guards finding him streaking to the basket, usually unopposed by the smaller defenders trying to stop the break. Of the 178 points Wright has scored thus far with the Suns, 35 have come in fast break situations, per NBA.com. That’s nearly 20 percent of his scoring output.

Since Jan. 11, when he played his first game with the Suns, Wright is averaging 1.3 fast break points per game, ranking him ninth among all centers in the NBA during that span. The eight players in front of him are all starters. When the Suns get out on the break, Wright suddenly becomes a very dangerous offensive weapon.

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