Valley of the Suns
Fansided

5 signs Marquese Chriss has FINALLY turned the corner

By Adam Maynes

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Blocks

SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes up to block the attempted slam dunk of Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings during an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on December 12, 2017 in Sacramento, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes up to block the attempted slam dunk of Willie Cauley-Stein #00 of the Sacramento Kings during an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on December 12, 2017 in Sacramento, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

While everyone knows that Chriss can leap out a gym for a spectacular dunk, that same athleticism and leaping ability can be used on the defensive end for the emotional equivalent of an alley-oop with the blocked shot.

A skill that takes both timing and incredible hand-eye coordination, a player like Marquese Chriss could probably average two per game if he set his mind to it – and he absolutely has the skillset to do just that.

Against the Hawks Chriss had two spectacular blocks, one late that proved to be a game saver with only seconds before the end of the game. This second block even drew the attention of the Hawks’ PR guys leading to this hilarious exchange on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bleacherreport/status/948412515473547265

https://twitter.com/quese/status/948445316054790144

On the season, Chriss is averaging a career-high 1.0 blocks per game. Per-36, it’s a different number but similar outcome, 1.7, which is again a career-high.

Over these last seven games both of those stats go up a notch. Per game he is averaging 1.3, while per-36 he is averaging 1.8..

Hopefully Chriss learns to make the blocked shot just as much of an exciting and thrilling moment in any given game just the same as the alley-oop slam dunk.

I’m sure that he takes pride in his defense, but should he reach the point where the exciting blocked shot became just as goal-worthy as the thrilling slam dunk, that would undoubtedly take his game to a whole new level, and the 2.0 blocks per game theory would quickly become a reality.

Home/Suns News