Phoenix Suns: 5 Silver Linings In A Lost Season

3. Goodwin Getting A Chance

On a similar note, we can’t ignore that this is the best opportunity Archie Goodwin has ever had at extended minutes. Against the Spurs Thursday, the Suns’ point guard understudy put up 20 points. The game wound up being a blowout and he only shot 5-for-14 from the floor, but he also made two of his five three-pointers and got to the line 10 times (making eight).

Against the Hawks Saturday night, Goodwin had a team-high 24 points along with four assists, two blocks and two steals. He was aggressive attacking the basket again, making eight of his nine free throw attempts, but he also made two of his three three-point attempts — including the game-winner that provided the Suns with their first happy, non-Devin Booker moment in weeks.

Okay, so maybe the shot was ill-advised. In fact, according to both Hornacek and Goodwin, the play was designed for Alex Len popping out to the perimeter once the defense overplayed the pick-and-roll. The defense covered Len, but Goodwin joked that even when he saw the play design, he thought, “Yeah right, I’m shooting this anyway.”

Goodwin has struggled with his perimeter shooting and defense in the past, and all young players hope for more minutes than they normally receive.

But against the Spurs and Hawks, it wasn’t just his solid three-point shooting that stood out. Goodwin has been putting his length to good use, taking his lumps as he learns the point guard position on the fly and attacking the rim on the other end, including a monster dunk that ignited the crowd and a 6-0 Suns run midway through the fourth quarter when momentum was slipping.

Goodwin’s ability to turn a bad shot into a game-winner is what people will remember, but his entire performance helped strengthen his case for more minutes — even if Goodwin made the case himself not long after the final buzzer sounded.

“I was telling people for the last two and a half years: It’s not that I can’t shoot, it’s just that I haven’t played enough,” he said. “Once you get a chance and an opportunity to play, then you get rhythm to make shots. You get a rhythm to get a sweat going, and when you miss, you know how you miss and why you miss.”

The Suns are fully stocked on shooting guards between Knight, Booker, Goodwin, Sonny Weems and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is expected to join the team next summer.

But even if Archie Goodwin is playing out of position right now, this season will give the Suns their first extended look at what they have in the young 21-year-old, which is good news for a guy who’s simply been a victim of being stuck behind better players so far in his career.

Next: No. 2