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Suns: 5 Goals For Alex Len In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 110-96. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) during the game against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Soak Up Everything Chandler Does

Perhaps this one’s a little bit vague, but what’s the point of bringing in Chandler if not to help cultivate Len’s talents? The Suns want to take the next step forward by making the playoffs and Chandler moves them closer to that goal. But this team is still built with the long-term future in mind, and Len’s development is intrinsic to Phoenix’s potential to grow into something special.

To that end, the 2015-16 season should be all about mirroring Chandler in every way possible.

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    • The leadership of a former NBA champion and All-NBAer will help the entire team mature and develop better practice habits, but the example Chandler will set for Len extends beyond off-the-court professionalism. From setting hard screens to diving to the basket to the delicate intricacies of team defense and rebounding technique, Len has a lot to learn from a guy like Chandler.

    At his introductory press conference, Chandler specifically mentioned Len as someone he’s looking forward to mentoring.

    “I ran into Alex yesterday and we had a good conversation and like coach said, it just seems like he wants to be a sponge,” he said. “I didn’t know initially how he would take it, and it’s very exciting for me because since Day 1, that’s been huge on my priority list to make him the best player he can possibly be and help him along the way.”

    The 32-year-old veteran will be Phoenix’s anchor and floor general on the defensive end of the floor, and Len could learn a lot from that kind of leadership and responsibility. He won’t ever completely copy Chandler’s game — nor should he try to — because Len has the potential to be a more versatile offensive player as a stretch-5.

    But if Len is going to be relegated to bench duty right when he might have been on the verge of his coming out party, he might as well make the most of the situation by soaking up everything Chandler is willing to teach him.

    Next: No. 4

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