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Phoenix Suns: Encouraging Signs From The Bench

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 5, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates a play with guard Isaiah Thomas (3) against the Memphis Grizzlies at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) celebrates a play with guard Isaiah Thomas (3) against the Memphis Grizzlies at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Nov 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) celebrates a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Gerald Green

2014-15 Stat Line: 21.0 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 40.5 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 88.9 FT%

As the perennial heat check guy coming off the bench, it was always going to be in Gerald Green’s nature to be a little inconsistent. One game he’ll come off the bench, drop 26 points in 23 minutes on 11-of-19 shooting (like he did against the Los Angeles Lakers), and the next he’ll put up six points on 2-of-7 shooting and Hornacek will be forced to roll with someone else who has the hot hand (like what happened against the Sacramento Kings).

Last year, Green was the designated heat check guy, but bringing in Isaiah Thomas has given the Suns two sources of instant offense off the bench. So far, it’s been a bit of a blessing and a curse. On the nights where both guys are hitting, like against the Golden State Warriors, the opposition has no chance, especially if Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe are playing well too.

But then there are the nights when I.T. and Green might be fighting each other for shots, or even worse, nights when both of these streaky shooters are coming up empty. That very worst-case scenario came true against the Kings, when Thomas and Green combined for nine points on 3-for-11 shooting.

Having so much balance and so many options in the backcourt give the Suns depth, but it also puts Hornacek in a precarious position of having to judge who has the hot hand on a nightly basis. There will be nights where everything goes right and Hornacek correctly rides a Gerald Green heat check to victory, and there’ll be nights when Green is left out in the cold simply because he didn’t enter heat check mode (or because the guy in front of him is playing well).

Green’s playing time is down nearly seven minutes per game from last season and he could stand to be a little more efficient from downtown. But seven games is a small sample size and after converting 40 percent of his three-point attempts last season, there’s no reason to think his percentages will stay this low. At the very least, we know G-Air-ld Green is still alive and well:

Next: The Pros And Cons Of Isaiah Thomas

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