The State Of Suns Leadership
Last season, you could make the argument that Markieff Morris was Phoenix’s best player since his on/off numbers were the best on the team. You’d lose that argument, however, when you factor in that Bledsoe was bringing solid two-way play every night against a much deeper, more talented position…without the attitude issues that hurt Keef’s value on and off the court.
But even if Keef was the Suns’ best player last season (he wasn’t), that probably won’t be the case in 2015-16 with the embattled power forward demanding a trade. If he’s still on the roster for opening night on Oct. 28, who knows what his state of mind will look like? And even if he somehow has a higher ceiling than Bledsoe (he doesn’t), can a disgruntled head case like that be expected to lead?
The answer to that question is no. Tyson Chandler will be the Suns’ best shot at diffusing the aftermath of this complicated situation, and Brandon Knight’s eloquence and intelligence gives him the best odds of becoming a long-term leader — provided his performance on the court can match his natural charisma.
But Chandler is a 32-year-old veteran here to provide experience, meaning that his leadership comes in a somewhat limited capacity. This is no longer the Tyson Chandler that won the Defensive Player of the Year Award and made an All-NBA team. No one should overlook what he’ll bring to this locker room, but on the court, the Suns will be in trouble if Chandler is their best player.
For all his potential, Knight might not be ready to lead either. That’s not a knock on Knight; it’s a simple acknowledgment of the fact that he’s only 23 years old and has played a grand total of 11 games in purple and orange. His fit with Bledsoe was murky last season at best, and his numbers dropped across the board as he adjusted to playing off the ball.
Those 11 games were an extremely limited sample size, and a training camp together should improve the backcourt duo’s chemistry. But the point still stands: as much as the front office loves Knight as a player and a person, this is not his team yet.
Next: The Criticisms Of Bledsoe