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Phoenix Suns: 5 Positives From Brutal Season Opener

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) reacts in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) reacts in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer in the second half of the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5. An A-Leuer-ing Bench Piece

For those of you casual NBA fans who didn’t watch the preseason/actually have lives, you may have missed how quickly Jon Leuer won over the Phoenix Suns fan base. From posing as Superman

to baptizing DeMarcus Cousins at the rim,

Jon Leuer was one of the biggest surprises of the preseason. With Mirza Teletovic (2-for-10 shooting, 1-for-5 from three-point range) once again struggling, Leuer came in off the bench in the Suns’ home opener and continued to impress right from the get-go.

Leuer knocked down his first couple of shots, including a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter. That’s right, Suns fans: JON LEUER MADE A BUZZER-BEATER INSTEAD OF LETTING THE SUNS GIVE ONE UP. That alone helps him live up to his Superman billing.

Leuer finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes. He went 5-for-9 from the floor, chipped in three assists and one block, and for most of the night, looked like one of Phoenix’s more competent players.

That’s not saying much considering how bad the Suns were, but it’s at least a little comforting to know that on nights when Teletovic struggles (which has been pretty much all of them so far), the well-rounded Leuer will be ready to step in and surprise a few people in a system that’s far better suited for his game than Memphis ever was.

Next: No. 4

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