Alex Len...LET HIM GO!

[Hoop Head]

Has Len finally reverted back to the Alex Len we've known for the last 4 seasons? I haven't watched the Suns that much this year but I haven't heard much about Len, good or bad, in the last month or so. He hasn't had 10 rebounds or more in the last 10 games. Tonight against the Rockets he only played 12 minutes and had 2 points on 1-3 shooting to go with 2 rebounds, he only had 1 foul so that wasn't an issue. We were shorthanded, with Alec Peters getting 15 minutes and there was plenty of garbage time as well.

Over the last 10 games he's averaged just 6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 0.5 blocks on 58% shooting in about 17 minutes a game. Those aren't bad numbers but they're more in line with his career averages. He looked like he should be in the Suns plans going forward through the first 2 months of the season but now he seems average again and not really worth a long term commitment.

 

[Carolinacacti]

bringing his future price down by not playing him?

 

[Phrazbit]

Has Len finally reverted back to the Alex Len we've known for the last 4 seasons? I haven't watched the Suns that much this year but I haven't heard much about Len, good or bad, in the last month or so. He hasn't had 10 rebounds or more in the last 10 games. Tonight against the Rockets he only played 12 minutes and had 2 points on 1-3 shooting to go with 2 rebounds, he only had 1 foul so that wasn't an issue. We were shorthanded, with Alec Peters getting 15 minutes and there was plenty of garbage time as well.

Over the last 10 games he's averaged just 6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 0.5 blocks on 58% shooting in about 17 minutes a game. Those aren't bad numbers but they're more in line with his career averages. He looked like he should be in the Suns plans going forward through the first 2 months of the season but now he seems average again and not really worth a long term commitment.

Maybe he is just taking himself to a larger extreme. It used to be one good game, 2 bad/mediocre ones; he's evolved to 10 good games, in a row, then 10-20 crap games to follow it up.

What was most disappointing tonight was him getting served up a dunk on a platter like 2 or 3 times and instead of scoring getting blocked (by Paul of all people) or having the ball bounce off him... which stupidly credits the passer for a turnover since Len's brick hands never officially had possession.

 

[Hoop Head]

Maybe he is just taking himself to a larger extreme. It used to be one good game, 2 bad/mediocre ones; he's evolved to 10 good games, in a row, then 10-20 crap games to follow it up.

What was most disappointing tonight was him getting served up a dunk on a platter like 2 or 3 times and instead of scoring getting blocked (by Paul of all people) or having the ball bounce off him... which stupidly credits the passer for a turnover since Len's brick hands never officially had possession.

So he's been bad for the last few games? His numbers aren't atrocious but they're not consistent. Like I said, I hadn't seen him up until tonight and all I saw was the Len of old.

bringing his future price down by not playing him?

Maybe he likes it here so much he's lowering his own value? If he plays like he did in the Rockets game and being a non-factor like the last couple then we don't need to worry about his early season games raising his value.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I think it's hard to establish consistency with limited minutes, especially for a player like Len who seems to need that extra vote of confidence to excel. I get the feeling that if a team committed to him as their starting center for a full season, he would be solid. The problem is that he plays much better as a traditional center where he concentrates on rebounding and staying down low, and there are some match-ups in the NBA (like against the Rockets) where it doesn't make sense to play a player like that big minutes.

 

[pokerface]

Why is Len always such a mystery that has to be figured out?? That makes it scary to commit to him long term.

 

[Mainstreet]

bringing his future price down by not playing him?

I think it's hard to establish consistency with limited minutes, especially for a player like Len who seems to need that extra vote of confidence to excel. I get the feeling that if a team committed to him as their starting center for a full season, he would be solid. The problem is that he plays much better as a traditional center where he concentrates on rebounding and staying down low, and there are some match-ups in the NBA (like against the Rockets) where it doesn't make sense to play a player like that big minutes.

I do not think the Suns are intentionally lowering Len's value but he is a much better player when he gets consistent minutes as a traditional center.

If the Suns committed to Len as a starting center, I don't think he would disappoint.

 

[BC867]

I think it's hard to establish consistency with limited minutes, especially for a player like Len who seems to need that extra vote of confidence to excel.

That is not the definition of a consistent NBA player.

I get the feeling that if a team committed to him as their starting center for a full season, he would be solid.

I've given that thought, but Len has had plenty of chances and has never shown (here is that word again) consistency.

The problem is that he plays much better as a traditional center where he concentrates on rebounding and staying down low, and there are some match-ups in the NBA (like against the Rockets) where it doesn't make sense to play a player like that big minutes.

As has been pointed out to me over and over, traditional plodding Centers are no longer the norm in the NBA.

The Suns commitment to the owners, the rest of the team and the fans is to abandon mediocrity after being stuck in it for years. It should feel no commitment to a player who, right through today, cannot be counted on game after game. And, per your opinion, is lacking confidence.

I believe that, if Len has any chance of succeeding, it would best be with another team where he would get a fresh start with less expectations. He has earned demotion so many times on our team, his lack of confidence is warranted.

Just as with Brandon Knight, it is time to move ahead.

Why is Len always such a mystery that has to be figured out?? That makes it scary to commit to him long term.

That says it all.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I watch about half the games. Len is the same Len we've been watching for 5 years. No coordination, lost most of the time on offense and defense, but occasionally gets in a rhythm and puts up great numbers. He probably has a place in this league. However, I wouldn't offer him more than the minimum and definitely wouldn't have him in my regular rotation.

 

[Mainstreet]

I watch about half the games. Len is the same Len we've been watching for 5 years. No coordination, lost most of the time on offense and defense, but occasionally gets in a rhythm and puts up great numbers. He probably has a place in this league. However, I wouldn't offer him more than the minimum and definitely wouldn't have him in my regular rotation.

Len is probably headed elsewhere but I wouldn't mind keeping him for the right price. He is going to get more than the minimum.

Len needs to get consistent minutes to be effective. I think he can be a starter for some team if they commit to him.

 

[BC867]

Len is probably headed elsewhere but I wouldn't mind keeping him for the right price. He is going to get more than the minimum.

Len needs to get consistent minutes to be effective. I think he can be a starter for some team if they commit to him.

Len had that chance, especially for a lot of last season. He certainly hasn't fulfilled it. I object to keeping him and letting his mediocrity stand in the way of the Suns finally taking the next step.

We need a lead Center, which he is not. And we have a backup Center for next season when he returns from injury, who already demonstrated more skill than Len.

Keeping Len would be a disservice to the team and to him. Let him have a fresh start elsewhere and, if he succeeds, good for him. Spending whole seasons with your players competing with each other for minutes, vs. establishing roles doesn't work. Part of that is because we are overloaded with young players. Lack of balance. We need mid-career players to fill out the roster, once we get a starting Point Guard and Center.

The Suns priority, missing for a long time with all the lead Point Guards and all the lead Centers, should be to build chemistry. As boring as it may sound, chemistry is a key element to competing in the NBA.

I believe this discussion should not be about the needs of Alex Len. Not at all. Rather about the Suns choosing the best rotation after the draft and free agent period are settled and let chemistry develop.

After all these seasons of fluctuations and disappointing results, isn't it about time that the Suns recognize what it takes for an NBA team to be successful on the court? Under Sarver's lack of basketball expertise, that has not been the case. There is a big difference between investing the money/overseeing the business side and letting basketball people plan and run their part of the operation.

Same old-same old is not the answer. Alex Len and Brandon Knight represent same old-same old. Ask yourself, are any of us pleased with the results over the past eight years?

 

[Mainstreet]

Same old-same old is not the answer. Alex Len and Brandon Knight represent same old-same old. Ask yourself, are any of us pleased with the results over the past eight years?

Come on... down deep you really like them.

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[BC867]

Come on... down deep you really like them.

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LOL. I don't dislike them. I just like the skilled players (whose places they should not take next season) even more.

I would like other teams to like them better. 'Same as I felt about Robin Lopez (the Comicon Kid) when he was here.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Ugh. I just turned on the clippers game and saw that Len was starting. Why? He obviously has no future in the NBA. He's a mess on offense and too slow to keep up defensively.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ugh. I just turned on the clippers game and saw that Len was starting. Why? He obviously has no future in the NBA. He's a mess on offense and too slow to keep up defensively.

Good question. If I were going to try to explain it would be the match-up problems with DeAndre Jordon.

 

[BC867]

Good question. If I were going to try to explain it would be the match-up problems with DeAndre Jordon.

It seems that Len has too many flaws in his game, especially lack of consistency, to be part of our hopes for the future.

 

[Mainstreet]

It seems that Len has too many flaws in his game, especially lack of consistency, to be part of our hopes for the future.

I've pretty much given up on Len unless he wants to play for the veteran minimum and I'm not even sure about that.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Meanwhile he’s the only one who objectively had a good game last night. Lol.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Good question. If I were going to try to explain it would be the match-up problems with DeAndre Jordon.

Exactly. Who cares about matchups. Just play Chriss and Bender 40min and see what happens. The last thing we want is a win by capitalizing on matchups.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Exactly. Who cares about matchups. Just play Chriss and Bender 40min and see what happens. The last thing we want is a win by capitalizing on matchups.

Really? It seems this board wants wins now at any cost. The villagers with the pitchforks are in the streets.

 

[Mainstreet]

Really? It seems this board wants wins now at any cost. The villagers with the pitchforks are in the streets.

I don't think @Bada0Bing is worried about match-ups or winning. Just play the youngsters and see what happens.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Really? It seems this board wants wins now at any cost. The villagers with the pitchforks are in the streets.

WTF are you talking about? This kind of stuff is so ridiculous.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't think @Bada0Bing is worried about match-ups or winning. Just play the youngsters and see what happens.

And I agree with him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

WTF are you talking about? This kind of stuff is so ridiculous.

OK Cheese. I should not have said it. It just adds fuel. Sorry.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I don't think @Bada0Bing is worried about match-ups or winning. Just play the youngsters and see what happens.

Yup. He may get 10 or so rebounds just for being tall, but that's not going to help us long term.