Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five things we learned about this Suns from preseason

By Grant Funtila

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court during the first half of the NBA preseason game against the Brisbane Bullets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court during the first half of the NBA preseason game against the Brisbane Bullets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Alex Len might put together a career year

PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Over the course of the past regular season we have learned a lot of stuff. For example, the NBA is slowly pacing out bigs who can’t defend, rebound, or shoot. Luckily for Len, he checks out on two out of the three. He has always been one of the teams most consistent rebounder and all around defender.

Of course, Len has to prove to all of us that he can score on the other end. Over his first four years in the NBA, the Ukrainian has averaged 6.9 points per game. For a fifth overall pick that is not the production a team would expect even if he came from a relatively weak draft.

But Len has played extremely well in preseason. In the five games the Suns played, Len averaged 14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 2.6 blocks per game he also shot 65.6% from the field. Numbers like those are probably what general manager Ryan McDonough expected from Len back in 2013.

It’s an overreaction to say he’s gonna have his best year. But, if the aggression and coordination he showed during preseason is real then he definitely will have his best year.

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