Alex Len should be starting for the Phoenix Suns
The improvement of Alex Len has been felt by the Phoenix Suns organization and the franchise should reward him by starting him in more games.
Alex Len has been plagued with uneven playing time and an uncertain future with the Phoenix Suns. Throughout the season, Len has been a professional and has been playing at a higher level. Based on Len’s elevated play and his competition for minutes at the center position, Len has proven himself to have a legitimate shot of being the team’s full time starter.
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Len’s got two players that are taking away minutes and starts from him. Tyson Chandler was an elite defender in his prime and even now he’s solid on the defensive side of the ball. Chandler has the ability to finish at the basket, though his waning athleticism has limited that ability. However being at the age of 35 years-old, Chandler would do better leading a second unit of more inexperienced players and having less minutes.
On the other side of the coin is old school post player Greg Monroe. Monroe has the low post moves to score with the best centers. His rebounding isn’t bad either, however Monroe’s defensive skill is that of a 1990-2000’s power forward. Simply he doesn’t have the defensive savvy that modern NBA centers have. Monroe’s lack of defense is not covered by his offense. With one year left on his deal, the Suns need to try to trade Monroe for a future asset.
Looking at the averages of the three centers, it appears that they bring very similar skills to the table for the Suns.
| Rk | Player | Season | Age | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyson Chandler | 2017-18 | 35 | 23 | 23 | 25.5 | .650 | .650 | .650 | .667 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 7.1 |
| 2 | Alex Len | 2017-18 | 24 | 27 | 2 | 22.3 | .537 | .537 | .537 | .773 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 9.3 |
| 3 | Greg Monroe | 2017-18 | 27 | 17 | 9 | 20.8 | .578 | .578 | .578 | .697 | 2.0 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 10.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/19/2017.
However, looking at the players’ advanced stats, it’s evident that Len has the clear advantage in several categories.
| Rk | Player | Season | Age | G | MP | PER | TS% | FTr | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS | WS/48 | OBPM | DBPM | BPM | VORP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyson Chandler | 2017-18 | 35 | 23 | 587 | 15.2 | .670 | .510 | 11.6 | 27.7 | 19.6 | 6.1 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 19.1 | 10.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.6 | .131 | -0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 2 | Alex Len | 2017-18 | 24 | 27 | 602 | 19.9 | .607 | .591 | 14.8 | 29.7 | 22.1 | 8.5 | 0.7 | 3.9 | 16.6 | 17.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.0 | .160 | -0.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| 3 | Greg Monroe | 2017-18 | 27 | 17 | 354 | 19.8 | .600 | .258 | 10.3 | 26.9 | 18.5 | 15.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 15.9 | 20.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.9 | .127 | 0.1 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/19/2017.
The advanced stats show that Len is the most reliable center when it comes to getting a win. He is ahead of both Chandler and Monroe when it comes to any win shares stats and box plus/minus stats as well.
Alex Len has had a career season, averaging career highs in points, assists, rebounds, free throw percentage and field goal percentage. Len has also had 10 games of 10 or more rebounds this season including one game with 19 rebounds. In the two games that he did start this season, Len averaged 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks while shooting 53.8 percent from the field. Len has the numbers to warrant the Suns to look at him as a starter.
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Based on Alex Len’s improvement this season and how he appears to the be the center that can help the team win the most, he has earned the right to start. If Len can continue to show improvement as starter, then he could be the long term answer at center for the Phoenix Suns. Only time will tell if interim head coach Jay Triano will give Len a legitimate shot at the starting role.