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Phoenix Suns Should Bring Back Mirza Teletovic

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) celebrates after making the game winning shot in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) celebrates after making the game winning shot in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and forward Mirza Teletovic (35) react after defeating the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Mirza, Fan Favorite

Back in early December, when the Suns’ playoff hopes weren’t dead and buried 10 feet under, Phoenix was closing out a disappointing six-game road trip in Chicago. The Suns had beaten the Raptors to start things off, but then proceeded to drop games against the Nets, Pistons, Wizards and Grizzlies by a combined 13 points, with most of them coming in late-game collapses.

Against the Bulls, the Suns found themselves down by 16 in the fourth quarter before rallying back behind Mirza’s 20 points. He also supplied the game-winning buzzer-beater, bouncing in an unlikely fadeaway jumper off of one foot after collecting an impressive offensive rebound on Leuer’s miss from the corner.

That lucky heave wasn’t Teletovic’s only game-winner of the season either. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Mar. 14, the Suns went to Mirza on an inbounds play with both teams knotted at 104 and less than four seconds remaining.

Teletovic caught the ball in the corner, took two dribbles and launched a sudden turnaround three-pointer over Karl-Anthony Towns, hardly even sizing up the basket first. The shot found the bottom of the net with 1.2 seconds left, and the Suns were able to hold on for the win behind his 21 points and second-gamewinner of the season.

After the Timberwolves game, Watson said that no matter who you draw a play up for, if Teletovic touches the ball and has even a modicum of space, that ball’s going up.

The best part is Teletovic is fully aware of the green light he plays with and has a good sense of humor about it:

His quick trigger-finger might give some teams hesitation and his defense is not a strong selling point, but for a contender looking for bench scoring, three-point shooting and a little bit of rebounding, Mirza could receive a few lucrative offers in free agency.

The question is, should the Phoenix Suns look into re-signing him this summer, knowing full well that there should be a few attractive offers rolling in for their stretch-4?

Next: Teletovic's Fit With The Suns

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