Hoops Habit
Fansided

Phoenix Suns: Ronnie Price’s Value Showing Through

By Michael Dunlap

Oct 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price (9) against the Phoenix Suns during the home opener at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price (9) against the Phoenix Suns during the home opener at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ronnie Price is making fools out of his doubters as the Phoenix Suns make great use of his skillset

There’s no need to sugarcoat it — when the Phoenix Suns signed Ronnie Price, nary a soul lauded it as a great move. In fact, I’m not certain you’ll find a person who will even admit to simply liking the acquisition. Sure, the Suns needed depth at point guard, but not the journeyman who stunk his way out of Phoenix just four seasons ago, right?

Wrong. Price’s impact has been felt immediately and it’s apparent that the 32-year-old veteran still has a lot to give. As the leader of the second unit, he’s brought defensive tenacity and a calming influence on what is otherwise a very young group. He’s also shown some pretty wonderful vision:

The Suns main backups are Archie Goodwin, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Mirza Teletovic and Alex Len — which have just eight years of NBA service combined. Price comes into the 2015-16 season having played 10 seasons, with the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and is now in his second stint with the Suns.

What I expected to see from Price this preseason is what I see in his boxscores — a guy who vacillates from shooting really poorly to shooting extremely poorly on any given night. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve probably seen more Price on Shaqtin’ a Fool than I have on the winning side of an NBA basketball game.

But, I was wrong. Price has shown the kind of veteran leadership that this team needs, both on the court and off. He’s a pass-first point guard, but he’s shown a willingness to step up and make a shot late in the clock — which I didn’t expect from a career 37.4 percent shooter.

Oct 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ronnie Price (14) lays up the basketball in the first half of the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ronnie Price (14) lays up the basketball in the first half of the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

I spoke to Len about playing with the second unit — specifically about how different it is having Price leading the team instead of Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight — and Len told me that, “he’s been great to play with, with a passing point guard it’s easier to get in my offense. He keeps us calm and really helps on defense.”

If we’re being honest, it’s Price’s ability to pressure the ball that gets him continue opportunities in the NBA. Last year with the Lakers, he averaged 2.5 steals per-36 minutes and through three preseason contests this year, he’s at 1.7 per-36 minutes.

Going further than getting steals, Price showed his worth by being an absolute pest to the Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley. Price was all over him, slowing Beverley’s push into the frontcourt, which disrupted the offense and put them into late shot-clock situations.

Is Price going to make the All-Star team? No. Do the Suns hope Price finds himself playing clutch minutes? No. But, he’s the perfect fit for a Suns team that wants to punish opposing second units with smart, safe point guard play and a suffocating defense that creates fastbreak opportunities.

Who knew Price would be the guy to make all of that come to fruition?

Next: Every NBA Franchise's Mount Rushmore

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Phoenix Suns