Tracking the development of Alex Len

[JCSunsfan]

His effect on the game goes far beyond his numbers. Usually for every block an elite defensive center gets he changes 3 more shots. He would have been even more impressive under the old rules.

Not saying he's elite YET.

All he has to do to be elite is stay out of foul trouble and develop consistency.

Alex Len at 11 pts 11 boards and 2.5 blocks is an elite player.

 

[BC867]

All he has to do to be elite is stay out of foul trouble and develop consistency.

Both of those factors require a strong Power Forward alongside him. The longer he goes it alone, the longer he will be in foul trouble.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Both of those factors require a strong Power Forward alongside him. The longer he goes it alone, the longer he will be in foul trouble.

I am pretty well convinced that you will only be happy if the Suns play 2 centers a pf as a sf, a sf masquerating as a shooting guard, and a 6-9 pg. Wins and losses won't matter.

Forget that this is not the 1980's where little guys got mugged on the court all the time (remember what it was like for KJ to drive to the hoop?). The leading players in this league today are small players, or big players who still play on the wings.

I want a good, rim protecting center, but I am not hung up on each player having to be a minimum height and weight for each position.

Its predictable that your favorite Suns roster was the DJ, Nance team, even though that team completely underachieved, and were defeated in the playoffs in three games by an undersized Denver team.

Even the Lakers (that they lost to in 83-84) had a 7-1 center that weighed (wait for it) 225 lbs soaking wet. Their 6-5 sg weighed 170 lbs. and looked like a poster child for feed the hungry.

 

[devilalum]

All he has to do to be elite is stay out of foul trouble and develop consistency.

Alex Len at 11 pts 11 boards and 2.5 blocks is an elite player.

Part of that is on him and part of that is on the refs viewing him as a legit player and giving him some calls.

 

[BC867]

I am pretty well convinced that you will only be happy if the Suns play 2 centers a pf as a sf, a sf masquerating as a shooting guard, and a 6-9 pg. Wins and losses won't matter.

You don't agree that "Both of those factors (stay out of foul trouble and develop consistency) require a strong Power Forward alongside him. The longer Len goes it alone, the longer he will be in foul trouble." is a legitimate point?

Kieff has described himself as undersized for PF. Is he wrong, too, in stating that his position calls for one who plays "bigger"?

Your exaggeration of "2 centers a pf as a sf", etc., hardly addresses the point that I, and even Kieff, made.

Are you willing to say that part of Len's development doesn't depend upon obtaining a more powerful PF/rebounder alongside him? I am not the only one who has posted words to that effect.

 

[82CardsGrad]

He's developing into an automatic double double. And one day he might reach 10 blocks in a game to boot! But boy, if he can ever master that 10 foot jumper.... Wow!

 

[JCSunsfan]

You don't agree that "Both of those factors (stay out of foul trouble and develop consistency) require a strong Power Forward alongside him. The longer Len goes it alone, the longer he will be in foul trouble." is a legitimate point?

Kieff has described himself as undersized for PF. Is he wrong, too, in stating that his position calls for one who plays "bigger"?

Your exaggeration of "2 centers a pf as a sf", etc., hardly addresses the point that I, and even Kieff, made.

Are you willing to say that part of Len's development doesn't depend upon obtaining a more powerful PF/rebounder alongside him? I am not the only one who has posted words to that effect.

I think the team needs more rebounding. I don't think Len needs more rebounding from other players for him to develop. I don't think Len needs a power player next to him. A stretch 4 would work just fine. A stretch 4 who rebounds would be perfect (Kevin Love type). Even a player like the Shawn Marion used to be--small, but effective rebounder and defender--would be good.

 

[sunsfan88]

I love his tenacity, not backing down from one of the best at his position

"He came down on me twice," Len said after Tuesday's practice in Orlando. "The first time, he did it in the first half and I told him to stop doing that. He did it a second time and I just got frustrated so I pushed him a little bit and we got into it. He did it a few times on purpose. I'm not going to take it. He was trying to jump on top of me.

"I'm not going to let him just keeping doing this dirty stuff. Anybody who respects themselves is not going to let him jump on top of your head and stuff on purpose."

 

[sunsfan88]

He seems to have hit a sophomore slump lately.

 

[PhxGametime]

Len, Adams, and Carter-Williams were my choices, though I would've considered Plumlee. Plumlee was the guy I watched most, if anyone remembers me hyping him up early on in College but at the time I figured Gortat/Len could play alongside together.

I don't even watch College Basketball anymore lol I root for U of A and would watch Teams with Prospects but after CB became 5 on 8 against Cats just like the Suns have dealt w/ for 20+ years I lost interest in spending time watching CB. I'll occasionally watch Cats but if I'm going to have heart attack over my Teams getting beat up and then anything looking like foul called on defensive end, I choose watching Suns.

 

[sunsfan88]

Len needs to get a strong ankle brace and wear it during games.

His constant ankle and feet injuries are worriesome.

 

[BC867]

His constant ankle and feet injuries are worriesome.

Last year we all hoped that Alex's foot problems wouldn't be chronic throughout his career.

When he seemed healthy at the beginning of the season, we forgot that and hoped to see a team built around him. At long last, the Suns building a team around a Center. I was ecstatic!

But, as you said, his health (as well as foul problems) are indeed worrisome.

That hurts!

 

[sunsfan88]

I think Len is a bit of an important question mark for us. He's been in the league 2 years, has he shown enough both play wise and durability wise to be counted on as the starting center? Or do the Suns look to make an upgrade?

 

[BC867]

I think Len is a bit of an important question mark for us. He's been in the league 2 years, has he shown enough both play wise and durability wise to be counted on as the starting center? Or do the Suns look to make an upgrade?

We have seen glimpses, but not continuity. Until he learns to stay out of foul trouble, and until time proves that his wheels are healthy, we won't know.

I suggest we make an upgrade if we can and give Len regular playing time in the rotation as backup Center.

The problem is that no Suns big man is or has been counted on. It is just not in the Front Office's DNA.

 

[FArting]

He started last year for the first time. He is going to play better.

 

[BC867]

He started last year for the first time. He is going to play better.

Mark West never learned how to stay out of foul trouble, which usually found him on the bench with the game on the line.

And as far as Len's health and stamina, we simply don't know.

There is a big difference between "I hope he is going to play better" and "He is going to play better".

We all hope he is. Until that occurs, I would like to see a veteran role-playing Center start for the Suns, with Len getting regular rotation playing time.

 

[FArting]

I would suggest that he go visit Hakeem Olajuwon.

Gortat and Siler visited Olajuwon back in 2010 or 2011. Gortat's game has improved.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Len is a bit of an important question mark for us. He's been in the league 2 years, has he shown enough both play wise and durability wise to be counted on as the starting center? Or do the Suns look to make an upgrade?

How can you even consider his first year an actual year? Dude hardly played.

 

[Joe Mama]

Mark West never learned how to stay out of foul trouble, which usually found him on the bench with the game on the line.

And as far as Len's health and stamina, we simply don't know.

There is a big difference between "I hope he is going to play better" and "He is going to play better".

We all hope he is. Until that occurs, I would like to see a veteran role-playing Center start for the Suns, with Len getting regular rotation playing time.

congratulations, I know how difficult it must have been to write a post about the center position without saying something about not playing him in the fourth quarter. Small steps.

Joe

 

[Joe Mama]

Mark West never learned how to stay out of foul trouble, which usually found him on the bench with the game on the line.

And as far as Len's health and stamina, we simply don't know.

There is a big difference between "I hope he is going to play better" and "He is going to play better".

We all hope he is. Until that occurs, I would like to see a veteran role-playing Center start for the Suns, with Len getting regular rotation playing time.

and by the way I totally agree with this post. I go back and forth on Brandon Wright, but I definitely think against most teams he's just too slight to play center. If the Phoenix Suns bring him back he should be backing up power forward for the most part and they should be running a lot of pick and roll with him when he's in the game.

I'd also like to see a solid veteran or a young guy with some upside to help fill those center minutes.

Joe

 

[BC867]

congratulations, I know how difficult it must have been to write a post about the center position without saying something about not playing him in the fourth quarter. Small steps.

Even smaller steps, Joe. I did say, "which usually found him on the bench with the game on the line."

and by the way I totally agree with this post.

Whew, you had me worried for a minute.

 

[Mainstreet]

Speaking of Alex Len, it looks like Joe Smith has worked him out. Also Smith is helping with the Suns pre-draft workouts. Perhaps he may come on board as a big man coach?

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 4h4 hours ago

After Suns staff changes let go Gattison & changed West's role, Joe Smith would be an ideal big man coach hire. Already has worked out Len.

Paul Coro ‏@paulcoro 4h4 hours ago

Suns player development coach hopeful Joe Smith upon seeing he's on a wall here: "Oh snap! Whatcha doing to me Shaq?"

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

 

[slinslin]

I never understood how Mark West is supposed to teach big guys. Mark West was an enforcer with little skills.
This is a good move, Joe Smith had skills. Not saying that generally a teacher must have the skills he is teaching but it sure seems like it would be helpful.

 

[sunsfan88]

We have seen glimpses, but not continuity. Until he learns to stay out of foul trouble, and until time proves that his wheels are healthy, we won't know.

I suggest we make an upgrade if we can and give Len regular playing time in the rotation as backup Center.

The problem is that no Suns big man is or has been counted on. It is just not in the Front Office's DNA.

When I said counted on, I just meant in terms of being able to play at a high level out there. Not necessarily talking about usage.

 

[sunsfan88]

How can you even consider his first year an actual year? Dude hardly played.

The reason why he hardly played is part of the issue in the post you quoted.