Valley of the Suns
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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) /
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Minutes per game

PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 8: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during warmups before the game against the Miami Heat on November 8, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 8: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during warmups before the game against the Miami Heat on November 8, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

All of the prior references of improvement, from the intangibles to the statistical calculations, come to a head with minutes per game.

As mentioned before, against the Atlanta Hawks Chriss registered 33:52 of on-court time, his first 30 minutes game of the season. Over this stretch of seven games, where he has still averaged 3.4 personal fouls per game – .4 above his season average – Chriss has recorded three of his four longest on-court stints of the season.

1. 1/2 v Atlanta 33:52

2. 10/23 v Sacramento 29:22

3. 12/26 v Memphis 29:19

4. 12/29 v Sacramento 28:15

Based on the stats that I have produced already this won’t surprise you, but over this seven game stretch, Chriss is averaging 25.3 minutes per game, the most minutes per game in any seven game stretch this season.

For a head coach like Jay Triano, who plays only those players who are producing – and even sat Devin Booker for a long stretch in the third quarter against Atlanta –  these minutes should be a badge of honor. A culmination of trust and production, not necessity.

Last season Chriss basically got all the minutes he wanted from Earl Watson, generally presumed by outsiders more as gift than a reward.

Next: 5 Reasons Dragan Bender has Turned the Corner

With Triano, these minutes are something that should not be taken for granted, and the culmination of all other stats and intangibles that comprise this list of the top five reasons that Marquese Chriss has finally turned the corner.

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