Player of the Week: Tyson Chandler’s game winner is enough

The flashiest stats aren’t what always wins player of the week, Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler only needed one play to win the award.

Usually a player that has had the most impactful stats wins player of the week here at Valley of the Suns. However, there are always exceptions to any rule or system and starting center Tyson Chandler is that exception. Chandler had a modest week of stats even by his standards, but he made one play that had a bigger impact than his own or any other Phoenix Suns stats this last full seven day span of December. That is why Chandler has earned player of the week.

It was a good pass by Dragan Bender, but Chandler was the one that finished the play and won the game for the Suns. Interim head coach Jay Triano said he had been saving that play for 15 years. The amount of athleticism, timing, and basketball I.Q. that it takes to finish a play like that is only something a veteran like Chandler could do. The play not only invigorated the team, but the who entire Suns’ fan base. Chandler’s play is a good illustration of how well the Suns have been playing as of late with winning four out of their last six games.

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For the week Chandler did put up very solid and respectable numbers for a 35 year-old center. In the first contest of the week in a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chandler ended the game with four points, 15 rebounds and two assists. He also shot 50 percent on four shots during the game as well. In the last second win against the Memphis Grizzles he had seven points, six rebounds, two assists and one block, while shooting 75 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the free throw line.

Honorable Mention

If it wasn’t for Chandler’s late game heroics, T.J. Warren would have won player of the week. Warren still warrants the honorable mention averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steal. It was a short week of games with only two games Even though Devin Booker did have a 32 point game outing, it’s hard to give the honorable mention to a player that only played in one out of two games.

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Tyson Chandler’s average of 5.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.5 blocks didn’t get him player of the week, but his game winning play that invigorated the team and the fan base did. Chandler’s game winner will hopefully inspire better play by the rest of the Phoenix Suns as the new year is almost here.