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Phoenix Suns: What Alex Len Must Learn From Tyson Chandler

By Michael Dunlap

Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) reacts after dunking the basketball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) look on the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) reacts after dunking the basketball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) look on the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns have something they haven’t had in a few years — two bigs with a legitimate claim to the starting center spot. With that said, new free agent signee Tyson Chandler didn’t get paid $52 million over four years to sit, meaning Alex Len is headed back to the bench.

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That’s not a bad thing, as the soon-to-be 33-year-old Chandler has a lot of knowledge to impart upon the 7-foot-1 22-year-old from the Ukraine. There’s three main parts of Chandler’s game that Len must pay special attention to.

SETTING SCREENS

Having a center that can set a proper screen is so beneficial in the NBA, as it puts the pressure on the defense to make a decision — switch, hedge, over the screen, under the screen, double the ball — there’s a handful of options.

Watch this great side pick-and-roll between former Dallas Mavericks teammates Chandler and Jason Kidd:

If Len can set those kinds of screens for Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, he’ll be the benefactor of a lot of open looks at the basket.

Len has been working on his jumper and that adds a significant layer to the Suns offense, especially in the pick-and-roll. When a team has a center that can’t shoot, they don’t have to worry as much about the pick-and-pop, leaving a wide-open jumper. You can see in the video that neither Richard Jefferson nor Tim Duncan were worried about Chandler’s jumper (the fact it led to a wide-open dunk is a testament to great chemistry between Kidd and Chandler).

In 2014-15, Len shot 50.7 percent from the field and a disappointing 34.1 percent from 16-feet to the 3-point line. He’ll need to improve that in order to affect the defense’s decisions.

AVOIDING NO MAN’S LAND

The desire to block shots is something every single young big man in the league has to harness. Being the anchor of the defense (and being larger than everyone else on the court) means protecting the basket and preventing buckets, but it doesn’t have to be by blocking shots. The ultimate goal of the defense is to get the ball back without allowing any points, correct?

Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) pulls down a rebound over Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and center Alex Len (21) during the second half at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) pulls down a rebound over Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and center Alex Len (21) during the second half at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

When young bigs try to block too many shots, they have a tendency to get into foul trouble by being too aggressive, or they allow easy backdoor buckets. Another issue is taking themselves out of rebounding position by forcing the issue.

In Len’s rookie year, he blocked 1.8 shots per-36 minutes, with a ghastly 6.8 fouls. In his sophomore campaign he did much better, improving to 2.5 blocks with 5.1 fouls. Chandler has been excellent here, as he hasn’t committed more than 3.2 fouls per-36 minutes in the last four seasons. Those instincts come with quality teaching combined with experience — both of which Len can achieve this season.

FINISHING AT THE RIM

Chandler is a career 59.1 percent shooter, though we know that’s largely off of shots close to the rim. In 2014-15, he shot 80.5 percent of his attempts inside three feet, making 74.6 percent of those. For some comparison, Len made a respectable 67.7 percent from the same range last season.

Going to the basket is something that Len improved upon by leaps and bounds last season, including a new comfort level off the dribble.

According to Suns.com’s player review, Len “found his niche rolling to the basket after setting screens for the Suns’ guards. He showed quicker jumping ability and stronger finishing ability.”

If Len continues to improve in this area — specifically the ability to have better body control and finish lobs — he’ll turn into one of the top centers in the NBA.

Luckily for Suns fans, Len is taking all of this in stride and looks at it as a chance to get better. He told Michael Lee of The Washington Post, “I’m really excited to be around one of the best bigs the past five years.”

Coach Jeff Hornacek went a step further, noting “I think Alex is being honest when he’s saying that he’s fine with the addition of Chandler. I think he knows he’s a young player. He’s a sponge, he wants to learn. And if you can have a veteran guy with you on the bench and in timeouts, that’s tremendous. Tyson is wanting to be that. I think a lot of guys, when they’ve been in the league for so long, that’s part of the responsibility and part of the pleasure of playing and teaching the young guys. We couldn’t be happier about it.”

There’s no question about it — Len has himself a mentor that he hasn’t had in the NBA. How much will the former Defensive Player of the Year help the young Len? That remains to be seen.

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