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5-on-5: Overlooking The 2014-15 Suns Season

By Jeffrey Sanders

April 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) reacts after dunking the basketball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) look on the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) reacts after dunking the basketball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) look on the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. What player improved the most from the year before?

Bourguet: Alex Len. Don’t forget, at the start of the season, Miles Plumlee was still this team’s starting center. Len eventually overtook Plumlee’s job and though he needs to get stronger and work on staying out of foul trouble, he emerged as an excellent shot blocker. If he can keep developing his midrange touch and learn the nuances of team defense, he can be this team’s anchor inside. At the age of 21, the future is very bright for Len.

Chasen: It probably has to be Len, but that’s kind of cheating given that he improved as a function of not being injured and actually maturing, like physically. Bledsoe showed flashes of how scary good his defense COULD become, and Markieff Morris became Mr. Clutch, but overall I’m still going with Len. He went from a guy showing flashes here or there to a guy that actually played really well against some of the big men in the league.

Hann: Alex Len and it’s not even close. The center increased his averages of 2 points and 2.4 rebounds from last season to 6.3 points and 6.6 rebounds a night. But you can throw stats out the window when gauging the Ukrainian’s progress. After missing 40 games last season, looking extremely brittle and awkward on the court and being labeled a potential draft bust, Len proved his worth and more this year. The former 5th overall pick showed a paint presence that had not been seen in Phoenix for years, consistently altering shots and serving as a viable anchor for the Suns defense.

Saar: I say Alex Len. An injury-prone center who is behind Miles Plumlee on the depth chart, who becomes the starter and improves more and more every game.

Harris: Archie Goodwin really made a big jump this season. He moved up his scoring from 3.7 PPG last season to 5.6 PPG this season. Moreover, he has shown his ability as a legit player for the Suns to keep as one of the building blocks for the future.

Next: Evaluation of Jeff Hornacek

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