Valley of the Suns
Fansided

It’s time to move on from Marquese Chriss before it’s too late

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the second 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: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the second 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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His game is predicated on athleticism and luck, and not much else

PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Additionally, Chriss’ game just doesn’t seem to be developing enough.

While Dragan Bender has shown that he is taking steps forward in his own development this season showing obvious improvement on both ends of the floor, Chriss seems to have not only stagnated, but in some categories he has statistically taken a step back.

After averaging 9.2 points per game last season, Chriss is averaging only 6.7 so far, in only .8 fewer minutes per game than last season.

Part of that problem is that his shooting percentage is much lower than it was in his rookie year – and it wasn’t even very good then – shooting 40.2% from the field in 2017-18, versus 44.9% last in 2016-17.

Then, going back to his poor and sloppy defensive play when things don’t go his way, Chriss is actually averaging more  personal fouls per game this season than last, again, in fewer minutes. Averaging 3.4 this season, .2 more than last year, per-36 minutes Chriss even averages 6.0, meaning that if he were able to keep himself in a game, he would eventually foul out of every one.

The problem is that he can’t even get to 36 minutes (his season high is only 29:22 against the Sacramento Kings on October 23), and he has already fouled out four times, in only 29:22 (that same Sacramento game), in 16:30 at the Knicks, 25:26 against Miami, and 21:05 against Orlando.

No one else in the NBA has fouled out more than twice.

Out of 449 players to play in a game thus far this season, Chriss has the 4th most personal fouls, with 61.

Of course, part of the reason that he has been averaging fewer minutes is because he is in foul trouble so often, which ties directly back into the discussion about his attitude.

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