4. Can Alex Len Really Shoot Jumpers?
Over the summer, we all found out that Alex Len was working with Eric Bledsoe on the pick-and-roll, which could only be good news for the Suns moving forward. But in terms of those summer progressions that get overblown, Alex Len’s work on his perimeter jump shot could be the biggest one.
According to head coach Jeff Hornacek, Len spent the summer working on expanding his range, even practicing three-pointers. Hornacek also said the Suns will probably even let him try his hand at a few corner threes this season.
Hornacek said Len's been working out in PHX every day and twice a day 3 times a week on his shooting. #StretchFiveWatch
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) June 29, 2015
A look at Len’s shot chart from last season shows why some might be hesitant to let the big Ukrainian start jacking up threes, but it’ll be interesting to find out what Len himself has to say about the work he’s put in over the summer.
Though we’ve already expanded on the pros and cons of a Twin Towers lineup featuring Len and Tyson Chandler, it bears repeating: that lineup only works if Len is able to spread the floor from at least the midrange.
Since Phoenix seems committed to giving that dual big man lineup a try in limited minutes, Len’s stretch-5 work might need to be one of those summer improvements that actually manifests itself this season.
Next: No. 3