Phoenix Suns: 2 Studs and 1 Dud From Preseason Finale vs Portland

Phoenix Suns Stud vs Portland Trail Blazers: Landry Shamet

With Booker unable to play for roughly two weeks, Landry Shamet ran often with the starting unit during practices and preseason games. He rose to the occasion then, and also played well last night once retracing back to a bench role.

Doing what he does best, Shamet rained fire from deep, going 3-5 from beyond the arc. That long range shooting largely helped his general offensive numbers, as he eventually closed things out with 12 points across 15 minutes played.

But most impressively, Shamet illustrated two things during the game which he infamously struggles with: wing defense and strength.

During the third quarter, rose up to block a 3-point attempt by Ben McLemore. A few seconds later, he finished off an and-one play while driving through contact for a layup. Although brief, Shamet clearly showed off his offseason work during this sequence.

That must come as an encouraging sign for him, as he looks to polish himself more as a pro, as well as the Suns, who need him to log valuable minutes as the team’s only other shooting guard behind Booker.