Phoenix Suns: 5 Keys To T.J. Warren's Rookie Season

Phoenix Suns: 5 Keys To T.J. Warren’s Rookie Season

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; T.J. Warren (North Carolina State) gets a hug from NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 1, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) looks to pass as North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren (24) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Work On Defensive Fundamentals:

In pre-draft and post-draft reports, some common phrases you’ve probably read when it comes to T.J. Warren are “instant offense,” “nose for the basket” or “natural scorer.” But in our rush to designate him as the next Vinnie Johnson, most of the notes on his defense has been overlooked. Though Warren is good at reading plays and playing passing lanes (evidenced by his 1.8 steals per game last season at NC State), his on-the-ball and help defense needs some work.

Warren is often late on his rotations, he’s a very poor post defender because he’s not strong enough to prevent power forwards from backing him down and he’ll need to be quicker laterally to hang with the small forwards in this league. Rookies always have a rough going adjusting to NBA team defenses, but Warren may have to work extra hard to be competent on that end.

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