The Phoenix Suns have returned from the All-Star break a different team, even if the results remain the same.
The Suns have played three games since the All-Star break, and could have won the first two if a few more free-throws had fallen. In the third, another tough loss to Memphis, the Suns still played hard and showed a lot of grit.
It’s a testament to the young guys that they are still fighting, especially since there is no hope of making the playoffs. Second year big man Alan Williams has been particularly impressive (earlier this season, I wrote about moving Alan Williams into the starting lineup at PF…not that it would have made a big difference).
There have been other changes too. Veteran Tyson Chandler hasn’t played in the last three games with youngster Alex Len supplanting him. Brandon Knight hasn’t played either. Both were mentioned early and often in trade-deadline rumors. Maybe the Suns were trying to trade them, but were unsuccessful. Now, they’re just consigned to the bench, apparent casualties of the youth movement.
Derrick Jones Jr. and Tyler Ulis have also seen more minutes.
Talking to Arizona Sports 98.7 on Tuesday, Coach Earl Watson said, “Brandon Knight is a unique player in a unique situation,” and that they want to see if “Tyler Ulis can be a dominant ball-handler in the second unit.”
As far as center Tyson Chandler goes, the veteran seems to have taken his new role as leader and tutor to the young centers to heart. Doug Haller just wrote on azcentral sports that Chandler is still dominating in practice, and spending more time in the weight room with Len and Williams.
Tyson Chandler hasn't played the last 2 games. His response says a lot about the veteran Suns center. https://t.co/aE7Pq30mix
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) February 28, 2017
That’s great, and just what you want to read when it comes to the veterans on this team.
As for the other youngsters, you also have to love the competitiveness shown on the floor by Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe and T.J. Warren. When Booker got decked in Tuesday night’s game in Memphis, it was Len, Chriss and others who immediately had their teammate’s back.
Marquese Chriss has been particularly aggressive, and he’s shown backbone when it comes to being challenged on the floor. Is it just me, or do you love it when someone challenges Chriss? The rookie does not back down.
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Chriss has grown more than any Phoenix Suns player on the floor (along with Williams), proving he’s tough enough to withstand the NBA elbows and knees that get thrown at him every game…and the lack of whistles that come with referees’ disrespect for rookies.
Anyone good enough to play NBA basketball should be respected by referees who miss half the calls in a game anyway. And I never could figure out why you can hack at a rookie, but if a rookie just touches a superstar, the whistle blows every time.
By shuffling their lineup to get more playing time for the youngsters, the Suns are also accomplishing a goal they will never talk openly about. The more the youngsters play, the more likely they are to lose. Let’s admit it. The Suns are in a battle right now with the New Jersey Nets (Only 9 wins! Are you kidding me?) and the Lakers for the best (uh, worst) record in the league when it comes to the best possible odds at a top-three draft pick. No one wants to say the Suns are tanking – but it is what it is.
The only question is, will owner Robert Sarver see this late season collapse as a learning opportunity for young – very young – players to get needed NBA game time? Or will he just look at the final results of the season and clean house again?
Will Head Coach Earl Watson and General Manager Ryan McDonough survive long enough to see their plan come to fruition? I doubt it. Sarver has no patience. If the Suns once again abandon their plan for the future by firing staff and trading away young talent, it sure will be a shame. Especially after the sneak peek we’ve been given of a possible future, a possible bright future.
If the Suns can’t make a blockbuster trade (nothing substantial at the trade deadline, again) or sign a franchise power forward free agent, then they should just stay the course. I for one would like to see the youngsters get a chance.