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Miles Plumlee Deserves Better Than His Nickname:

Plumlee deserves better than his nickname. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

“Plumdog” is an abomination against everything that is good in the world and it must be stopped. Miles Plumlee, on the other hand, has been a monster in the paint recently and is easily the most surprising Sun on a Phoenix team that’s full of pleasant surprises. Frequent Flyer Miles (which should be his official nickname moving forward) had a bit of a dud stat line in 18 minutes in a blowout loss against the Golden State Warriors Friday, but he’s set new career highs in points and rebounds in his other two games this week.

Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers, Plumlee embarrassed Pau Gasol to the point that any thoughts Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets had about trading Omer Asik for Gasol were more than likely obliterated. Plumlee finished with 17 points, two blocks and a career-high 20 rebounds in the game while shooting 8-for-14 from the floor. Saturday night against the Sixers, Plumlee went 10-of-14 from the floor en route to a career high 22 points. He also had 13 rebounds and three blocks in the game.

Not too long ago, I wondered if Miles Plumlee had reached cruising altitude, since it looked like he had already shown the world the best he could do. But Plumlee’s a regular double-double threat that’s starting to be more consistent on both ends of the floor. So whether you use “Frequent Flyer Miles,” “Sky Miles” or “Professor Plumbledore,” just remember that Plumlee’s elevated play deserves better than the shameful “Plumdog” moniker.