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Phoenix Suns: Alex Len Just Scratching The Surface Of His Potential

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guards Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guards Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) winces in pain after colliding into Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Obstacles

Every season it seems like there’s been something blocking Alex Len from winning over his critics. As a rookie, it was frequent injuries. He missed 40 games, averaged only 8.6 minutes on the nights he did play and because of summer ankle surgeries and a midseason knee injury, it was easy to be concerned about the various red flags shooting up for an injury-prone seven-footer.

In his second NBA season, a stronger, healthier Len flew under the radar in a season where playoffs were the main focus before everything unraveled. However, he averaged 6.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 22.0 minutes per game, shot 50.7 percent from the floor and quickly overtook Miles Plumlee in the rotation to start in 44 of his 69 total appearances.

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    • But it also took some time for Len to bypass Plumlee for the starting job, and he missed another 13 games due to a broken pinkie (a recurring injury that originated during NBA Summer League and held him out until the start of training camp), a sprained ankle and a broken nose that sidelined him for the final seven games of the season.

    With expectations rising heading into his third season, Len had a bit of a disappointing in Summer League despite staying healthy. Len has actually only missed four games so far in 2015-16, but the biggest obstacle has been the Tyson Chandler signing, which moved Len to backup duty for a team that had playoff aspirations at the start of the season.

    Chandler has provided Len with a nurturing mentor to instill confidence in him and help him develop his game, but it’s also come at the cost of Len’s playing time and responsibilities against opposing starters. With the season lost, the Suns needing Mirza Teletovic‘s scoring off the bench and the priority shifting to developing the younger players, Len may be about to enjoy his biggest breakthrough yet.

    In Phoenix’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night, interim head coach Earl Watson went with a Twin Towers starting lineup and it paid dividends against their opponents’ more traditional big men. Len was phenomenal in the starting group and led the way for the Suns’ first victory since Jan. 23 to snap a 13-game losing streak.

    “We’re staying within the process,” Watson said after the game. “It’s just one win. It’s not a celebration, it’s not a championship, it’s not a major leap in the right direction. It’s one step forward.”

    One small step for the Suns, one giant leap for Len-kind.

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