How The Phoenix Suns Became Fun Again

BIG SAUCE

A few weeks ago, we wrote about how Alan Williams was trying to crack an NBA rotation the right way, even if he was hardly getting minutes on one of the worst teams in the association.

Now that the Suns have fully embraced their youth movement, “Big Sauce” has proven those weren’t just flowery euphemisms for an end-of-the-bench cheerleader who had one or two encouraging games; there’s a legitimate NBA player in there.

Though he was mostly known for his priceless bench reactions before the All-Star break, Williams has benefitted from the lineup changes as much as anyone. In fact, he’s been Phoenix’s best center in that seven-game span, averaging 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the floor with a +1.7 point differential.

Williams is not the most mobile athlete. He’s not an above the rim player, he has no jump shot to speak of and as he heads for restricted free agency alongside Alex Len, there is a question as to whether the Suns will be able to keep the Phoenix native in his hometown.

However, Williams has been absolutely infectious, not only for his on-court demeanor and clear love for the game, but for his old-fashioned rebounding prowess, his nose for the ball and his high efficiency around the basket.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/839328249146548225

"“Alan does a lot of things that no one knows for this team,” Booker said. “He’s a leader on this team and you see how he supports us, his reactions of the week, but he brings it every day in practice, every day on the bench. So to see him out there shining, getting his opportunity in front of his hometown, it’s unbelievable.”"

Williams has recorded five double-doubles in his last six games, proving himself as a work horse off the bench who can feast on opposing backups. Not bad for a 24-year-old player who’s hardly played through his first one and a half seasons in the NBA.