Tracking the development of Alex Len

[sunsfan88]

I would suggest that he go visit Hakeem Olajuwon.

Yea or maybe join rising star Rudy Gobert in his training

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...s-training-with-dirk-nowitzkis-shooting-coach

 

[Chaplin]

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

He was injured, which didn't seem as big an issue in his 2nd year, don't you think? If he continually was injured his 2nd year, then you can say it's chronic, but so far, the odds look better that it is not. Hence, his first year is a wash.

 

[Cheesebeef]

He was injured, which didn't seem as big an issue in his 2nd year, don't you think? If he continually was injured his 2nd year, then you can say it's chronic, but so far, the odds look better that it is not. Hence, his first year is a wash.

still missed 13 games last year and looked hobbled during chunks of the season. sadly, I think the jury's still out on his overall durability... which sucks, because I think if healthy, he's got the makings of a pretty solid player.

 

[Chaplin]

Maybe I'm just overly optimistic, but I think the improvement over those two years was significant. And while injuries are an issue, they weren't as much of an issue last year. Again, it's the old adage about rookie big men, it takes a few years to get them completely acclimated, and Alex Len is no exception. His marked improvement from his 1st year to 2nd year, to me, was a big plus for a team with very few plusses.

 

[Chaz]

still missed 13 games last year and looked hobbled during chunks of the season. sadly, I think the jury's still out on his overall durability... which sucks, because I think if healthy, he's got the makings of a pretty solid player.

I tend to separate the injuries. Most of the first year was due to the ankle issue known about at draft time and the subsequent rehab and conditioning.

Last year he had a sprained ankle and a broken nose. I would not consider those related as injury concerns.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I tend to separate the injuries. Most of the first year was due to the ankle issue known about at draft time and the subsequent rehab and conditioning.

Last year he had a sprained ankle and a broken nose. I would not consider those related as injury concerns.

a sprained ankle has nothing to do... known ankle injuries... which he's had chronic problems with even in college? especially since that sprain limited him for a while even after he returned last season? feels like there's a correlation there.

and before you say anyone can sprain an ankle... well, sure, but some guys are more prone to that sprain keeping them out of multiple games and limiting them when they come back and that seemed to be the case with Len last season.

 

[BC867]

I tend to separate the injuries. Most of the first year was due to the ankle issue known about at draft time and the subsequent rehab and conditioning.

Last year he had a sprained ankle and a broken nose. I would not consider those related as injury concerns.

a sprained ankle has nothing to do... known ankle injuries... which he's had chronic problems with even in college? especially since that sprain limited him for a while even after he returned last season? feels like there's a correlation there.

I agree with you, cheese. If an ankle issue followed by a sprained ankle aren't related, what is?

When it comes to counting on Len as our starting Center of the future, a glass-half-empty rather than glass-half-full approach when it comes to his ankles is the wiser approach.

I like to be a glass-half-full thinker, but I also like to be a realist. Unless Len proves that he can be a full-season player, starting and finishing games (if Suns brass will allow a Center to do that), we can't assume it.

 

[Chaz]

a sprained ankle has nothing to do... known ankle injuries... which he's had chronic problems with even in college? especially since that sprain limited him for a while even after he returned last season? feels like there's a correlation there.

and before you say anyone can sprain an ankle... well, sure, but some guys are more prone to that sprain keeping them out of multiple games and limiting them when they come back and that seemed to be the case with Len last season.

From what I understand he had a hairline fracture in the ankles that was repaired. It wasn't a chronic problem in college. It was a misdiagnosis.

A sprain is a ligament injury. I am not a doctor but I don't think they are related.
I don't think a repaired fracture makes a sprain more likely.

 

[FArting]

article by Paul Coro explaining how Tim Duncan and Tyson Chandler helped Alex Len.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...en-helped-tim-duncan-tyson-chandler/73420738/

 

[JCSunsfan]

article by Paul Coro explaining how Tim Duncan and Tyson Chandler helped Alex Len.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...en-helped-tim-duncan-tyson-chandler/73420738/

good article. Very encouraging. Duncan is a great player for Len to model. Duncan's style would suit Len best.

 

[sunsfan88]

article by Paul Coro explaining how Tim Duncan and Tyson Chandler helped Alex Len.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...en-helped-tim-duncan-tyson-chandler/73420738/

Lol sounds like Hornacek's trying to convince Len to start shooting some 3s but Len prefers to play inside.

BC must be thrilled with Hornacek lol.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Suns love to draw opposing rim protectors to the outside so Bledsoe and company can work in the lane. I am sure that Horny would love for Len to have that in his arsenal, even if he doesn't use it much. It would just be helpful against certain opponents like Hibbert.

Its OK for him to be able to hit the corner three. I would love to see him become a dominant rebounder first.

 

[Catlover]

The Suns love to draw opposing rim protectors to the outside so Bledsoe and company can work in the lane. I am sure that Horny would love for Len to have that in his arsenal, even if he doesn't use it much. It would just be helpful against certain opponents like Hibbert.

Its OK for him to be able to hit the corner three. I would love to see him become a dominant rebounder first.

If Len can be a real threat with that corner 3 Jeff will have the option of occasionally playing him with Tyson. I don't think they're trying to turn him into a stretch 4, they just want the flexibility to play him there when necessary. As for rebounding, I'd like to see improvement too but he averaged almost 11 boards per 36 so he's already pretty good at it.

 

[95pro]

Only the Suns would be talking about their center taking 3's.

 

[Errntknght]

The corner three is not a constructive direction for Len to go and I'm glad he seems to realize that. It takes him too far from the action and gives him further to retreat in transition. Much better for him to develop a good midrange shot from out front - which would still allow him to play alongside Tyson for stretches. When opponents are playing a PF he can guard.

 

[Catlover]

The corner three is not a constructive direction for Len to go and I'm glad he seems to realize that. It takes him too far from the action and gives him further to retreat in transition. Much better for him to develop a good midrange shot from out front - which would still allow him to play alongside Tyson for stretches. When opponents are playing a PF he can guard.

Other than getting back in transition, I don't understand your reasoning. The corner 3 is the easiest long distance shot to make. Bledsoe penetrates best from either the top of the key or the high wing so putting Len out top just crowds the floor. Putting him in the corner better spaces the court and makes for an easy and safe pass.

And for the record, nowhere in that article did Jeff suggest he wants to turn him into a 3 point shooter. His main role will still be that of a traditional center. He's just encouraging him to expand his offensive game and has given him the green light to take that specific shot. It's just a guess but I suspect he's seen him shoot from various spots and the corner 3 is the shot Len looks most comfortable with.

You do what you can with the pieces you have available and given that power forward looks to be a real question mark this season (once we move Markieff), it makes sense to test Len out there. I doubt he'd be doing it if we didn't have Tyson on the roster and if we had a true power forward waiting for his chance.

 

[sunsfan88]

Only the Suns would be talking about their center taking 3's.

The good news is that he's opposed to it and would rather play inside.

Even Kieff was better when he was posting up as opposed to shooting 3s. Now that we have Teletovic who is basically gonna play the Frye role, I hope Kieff can return to posting up more.

The corner three is not a constructive direction for Len to go and I'm glad he seems to realize that. It takes him too far from the action and gives him further to retreat in transition. Much better for him to develop a good midrange shot from out front - which would still allow him to play alongside Tyson for stretches. When opponents are playing a PF he can guard.

Yup.

 

[BC867]

The corner three is not a constructive direction for Len to go and I'm glad he seems to realize that. It takes him too far from the action and gives him further to retreat in transition. Much better for him to develop a good midrange shot from out front - which would still allow him to play alongside Tyson for stretches. When opponents are playing a PF he can guard.

This! There is a big difference between a 12 ft. outside shot and camping out at the 3-point line, 23 feet from the basket as a third Guard on offense.

Wasn't it Hornacek who made a joke about playing with 5 Guards?

Throughout history, the Suns have played a Power Forward at Center, 3 Wings and a Point Guard.

Right now we have 2 strong Centers and no genuine Point Guard. Move out one of the Centers and we are giving up the two most crucial positions on the court for 20 or so minutes a game.

 

[Catlover]

This! There is a big difference between a 12 ft. outside shot and camping out at the 3-point line, 23 feet from the basket as a third Guard on offense.

Wasn't it Hornacek who made a joke about playing with 5 Guards?

Throughout history, the Suns have played a Power Forward at Center, 3 Wings and a Point Guard.

Right now we have 2 strong Centers and no genuine Point Guard. Move out one of the Centers and we are giving up the two most crucial positions on the court for 20 or so minutes a game.

I think he needs the 12 foot shot much more than the 3 point shot too. But it doesn't hurt for him to have the range to take that shot occasionally if it allows us to play him a few minutes at that spot. There are several teams where we could benefit defensively from having that much meat on the court at the same time but we still need to survive at the other end.

But I'd suggest everyone read that article. It was not about turning him into a 3 point shooter. The 3 point shot was just one quick comment near the end. Jeff isn't turning Len into a stretch 4.

 

[Errntknght]

]Other than getting back in transition, I don't understand your reasoning.[/B] The corner 3 is the easiest long distance shot to make. Bledsoe penetrates best from either the top of the key or the high wing so putting Len out top just crowds the floor. Putting him in the corner better spaces the court and makes for an easy and safe pass.

And for the record, nowhere in that article did Jeff suggest he wants to turn him into a 3 point shooter. His main role will still be that of a traditional center. He's just encouraging him to expand his offensive game and has given him the green light to take that specific shot. It's just a guess but I suspect he's seen him shoot from various spots and the corner 3 is the shot Len looks most comfortable with.

You do what you can with the pieces you have available and given that power forward looks to be a real question mark this season (once we move Markieff), it makes sense to test Len out there. I doubt he'd be doing it if we didn't have Tyson on the roster and if we had a true power forward waiting for his chance.

You can't set screens in the corner and you're ill positioned to get offensive rebounds or relay a pass... that's what I meant by being too far from the action.

 

[Catlover]

You can't set screens in the corner and you're ill positioned to get offensive rebounds or relay a pass... that's what I meant by being too far from the action.

Okay. But he'll be there for one specific reason - to shoot. And like I said earlier, it's not going to be his fulltime job. From what I've heard and read, Jeff has no intention of moving him far from the hoop regularly. It would make no sense.

 

[sunsfan88]

Len should not have the green light to shoot 3s...ever. He should just focus on the inside game and that only. He's 7ft, 250 lbs, I'm glad he knows he should be playing inside as well.

I don't want Len to even know what a 3pt shot is much less "green light" to chuck away from there.

 

[Errntknght]

Okay. But he'll be there for one specific reason - to shoot. And like I said earlier, it's not going to be his fulltime job. From what I've heard and read, Jeff has no intention of moving him far from the hoop regularly. It would make no sense.

I have no problem with Len shooting the corner three once in a while if he makes a good percentage but typically a guy has to spend several minutes there for every shot he gets, which I think we should avoid. Now if Jeff thinks enough of his corner 3 to put in a set play or two that gets him a shot there, seconds after he arrives, I wouldn't mind. Not holding my breath for that though.

 

[SirStefan32]

Len should not have the green light to shoot 3s...ever. He should just focus on the inside game and that only. He's 7ft, 250 lbs, I'm glad he knows he should be playing inside as well.

I don't want Len to even know what a 3pt shot is much less "green light" to chuck away from there.

I agree. He needs to learn to play inside. Once he can score at will from the low post, THEN he can go ahead and add a mid-range jumper to his game. Once he masters that, let him work on expanding his range.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns want all their bigs on the perimeter canning 3s to clear the lane for the two headed slashing PG.