5 signs Marquese Chriss has FINALLY turned the corner

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 2: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns speaks to media after game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 2: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns speaks to media after game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Rebounding

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes for the rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 26, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Davd Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes for the rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 26, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Davd Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Over this stretch of seven games, Chriss has been pounding the boards. Twice he has had double-digit rebounding games, and five times he has had at least seven.

Over this period he has averaged 7.4 rebounds per game, his highest average per game total in any seven game stretch in his career.

For a power forward/center, one of the specific and most telling statistics about the effectiveness of a big man is their averages in both points in rebounds. Those stats are further extended to the number of double-doubles, which is a sign of consistency of each statistical category.

This season Chriss has had just one double-double through January 2, his 17 point and 11 rebounds game against Atlanta on the 2nd. This season’s per game averages are quite low with his scoring per game average actually lower than his rookie year.

His per-36min stats on the season though are slightly better, but he is still not averaging a double-double even there.

However, over this seven game stretch, his per-36min stats are actually right there: 15.4 points and 10.5 rebounds, entirely comparable with his stats against the Hawks where he received just under 36 minutes, at 33:52.