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Phoenix Suns: T.J. Warren’s Game Evolving After Summer Work

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) shoots the basketball in the second half of the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) shoots the basketball in the second half of the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) catches Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) off his feet at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Defense

All of last season, Hornacek said that Warren’s understanding of team defensive concepts was his biggest obstacle to receiving regular minutes. Though he worked his way into the shorthanded Suns’ rotation over the last few months of the season, Warren struggled with providing help defensively.

According to Hornacek, the raw potential Warren has always shown on the defensive end is starting to develop into something more tangible.

“The thing that Ryan and I saw in the draft workouts with T.J. was that he does have that ability defensively,” Hornacek said. “He’s got great hands, he’s showed he can guard guys one-on-one, he’s showing now that he can guard guys as part of a team and know where to be on the weak side and when to rotate. He’s going to get better at that as time goes on too, so we’re very happy with the way he has progressed.”

Against the Utah Jazz in Phoenix’s second preseason game, Warren started at the 3 and was given the tough defensive task of checking Gordon Hayward. Hayward finished the game with 24 points and got off to a hot start, but once Warren found his footing he stuck with his man fairly well.

“Gordon’s one of the best offensive players,” Hornacek said. “If you get a late start on Gordon, he’s going to have you at his advantage, so I thought T.J. battled. It was good for him to go up against Gordon, if you play against a guy like that it’s gonna help you play everybody else.”

Warren is one of the quieter personalities in the locker room, but Hornacek said he’s become more vocal on defense in training camp and practice, probably due in no small part to Tyson Chandler‘s emphasis on getting his teammates to communicate more on that end of the floor.

Warren’s brilliance on the offensive end is reassuring that he’ll be able to develop into a smart defender as well. After going through the typical rookie learning curve on defense, Warren says he feels more comfortable on that end, especially after watching film of himself from last season.

“I feel like I’ve come along quite a bit,” he said. “Just want to continue to pressure guys and try to make them feel uncomfortable and just continue to talk on defense.”

Next: Relationship With Tucker

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