The Phoenix Suns have Deandre Ayton as their starting center. He needs a backup. Tyson Chandler, with his well established career, automatically got the job. But, is it time to give Richaun Holmes a look?
With the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton, center, from the University of Arizona.
Ayton is the current and long term starting center for the team.
However, the Suns also need a backup.
Tyson Chandler, towards the sunset of his well accomplished career, was already on the team, and being the starter last year, was automatically slid to the backup position.
He has arguably had a Hall of Fame-worthy career and there is no doubt about what he’s provided to his teams over the years as well as the NBA as a whole.
Phoenix Suns
All Star. Defensive Player of the Year. Champion. The list continues.
But he is 36-years old now and sadly not the player he used to be. Lately, it seems like he’s a ghost of his former self.
He’s not a scorer. He doesn’t provide much defense any more. He’s slow. He’s foul prone.
The only solid part of his game that remains is his above average rebounding.
In the offseason, the Phoenix Suns traded a second round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Richaun Holmes.
Holmes hasn’t proven much at this point of his career.
But he has shown that in limited minutes that he will not disappoint his fans.
He’s foul prone. But so is Chandler right now.
Their field goal accuracy, range and free throw shooting are similar. Actually, Holmes has a slight edge.
Holmes wins, albeit not by much, on the defensive side. His highlight blocks have more of an impact on the excitement of fans and help the morale of the team.
The only real plus Chandler has over Holmes is again his rebounding. But, even there, it’s almost a draw.
The real difference between the two is their ages. Holmes is only 25. 11 years younger than his teammate.
Chandler is reaching the end of his career while Holmes is trying to jump start his.
He should be given the opportunity to play more.
I’m not saying stop playing Chandler altogether. I’m also not saying get rid of Tyson. He is instrumental in the team’s turn around. If not on the court, he provides so much in the form of a leader and a guy that knows exactly what it takes to get to winning basketball.
What I am saying is give Richaun a chance.
Again, in the limited minutes that he has received so far in his career, he has shown he can step in.
Tyson is only averaging about 15 minutes per contest this season. Why not see what Holmes can do in that time?
The team gave up a second round pick for him. No, that isn’t a lot. But, why give up any kind of asset for someone you aren’t going to play?
Play Richaun. Maybe “Sherlock” Holmes can help be a clue to finding a competitive formula for the team.