Players Who Must Step Up for the Phoenix Suns Next Season

Do the Phoenix Suns have a legitimate chance to be one of eight teams representing the Western Conference when the NBA Playoffs start on April 19, 2014? My gut says no.

But for the first time since Steve Nash and A’mare Stoudemire led the Suns deep in the playoffs—losing out in the 2010 Conference Finals to the eventual champion L.A. Lakers—an optimistic vision for the future truly exists. New general manager Ryan McDonough appears to be getting comfortable in his position, executing a blockbuster summer deal to land Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. 

Now, an important part of the grand blueprint is one more below-average season to improve draft odds come 2014. Patience will be paramount for the Suns moving forward, but McDonough has laid the ground work for a team that should be competitive in shortly more than a calendar year. 

Using the word “tank” does not accurately describe how much the Suns can accomplish under new coach Jeff Hornacek. Phoenix's first-rate training staff will bolster the Suns' effort to develop home-grown talent, while fresh faces like Bledsoe will provide a spark. 

Coming your way are five Suns players whose efforts will a) set a professional tone to aid in the rebuild and b) provide the fans with a glimpse of what’s to come.

Markieff Morris

The Phoenix Suns have reunited Markieff Morris with his twin brother Marcus, and the move should pay dividends. The chemistry between the two—evident in the Suns' utter domination of the Las Vegas Summer League—is infectious and crucial to maintaining optimism in the locker room.

Markieff has a big 6’10” frame and can be a bruiser in the paint, but also has a reasonable jumper. He has helped lead the Suns to a 6-0 record in Vegas by pouring in 14.2 points per game and collecting over six rebounds per affair.

Morris’ moment of the summer (so far) was his game-winning jumper over the Minnesota Timberwolves after a rough shooting performance. His resilience in that particular ballgame is an attitude that Phoenix players should strive to embrace.

Markieff Morris is at the very least in a position battle for the starting power forward role with Luis Scola, and he earned the job during the back half of the 2012-13 season. He has showed promising spirit in Las Vegas. Let’s see if he keeps it up.

P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker is now one of the more senior players on the Phoenix Suns roster (fifth oldest at 28). He can and must be a defensive dynamo for the Suns off the bench and is another example of the professionalism the Suns are trying to instill.

Let’s talk about his on-ball defense, which has been good enough to bother some of the better shooters in the NBA (think Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant). Tucker is a versatile, 6’6” athlete who can create physical mismatches against opposing shooting guards.

P.J. has also been a big part of the Suns’ success in the Las Vegas Summer League. Despite playing seven professional seasons, only two have come in the NBA. He brings a hunger to play the game and maturely displays open-mindedness to his new coach Jeff Hornacek.

Tucker’s length and motor make him a defensive distraction. In 2013, his efforts will most certainly come from the reserve unit but provide critical rest time for either of the Suns’ starting guards.

Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic was the Phoenix Suns’ most dynamic player a year ago, leading the team in points, assists and steals. How can he need to step up? Leadership.

Dragic is now flanked by a stellar backcourt companion in Eric Bledsoe, but is four years his senior. He will still be the engine of the offense and initiator of an effective pick-and-roll game with Marcin Gortat, playing in a contract year.

Ball-handling, especially in fast break and transition, is one of Dragic’s best skills. He runs the floor well, can both find his teammates and finish at the rim. The ball seems to yo-yo so easily from his dominant left hand.

Goran’s biggest value comes from how well he can facilitate incoming coach Jeff Hornacek’s court vision. Implementing a new system can take time, but having a level-headed point guard is a key start.

There will certainly be ups and downs for Phoenix throughout the 2013-14 season, but Goran will be a steadying veteran hand and receive the lion’s share of point guard minutes.

He’ll also be the third-highest paid player this year for the Suns, earning $7.5 million. 

Marcin Gortat

I've liked Marcin Gortat as an NBA professional since his days accompanying Dwight Howard with the Orlando Magic. When he came to the Phoenix Suns from the Magic, his career really had a chance to blossom. 

And blossom it has, Gortat turned in a solid 2012-13 campaign during which he led the Suns in rebounding and blocks. His activity defensively is a beneficial addition to his limited offensive arsenal which includes an array of dunks and close range gimmes created by the pick-and-roll.

The Polish Hammer earned his nickname and apparently has earned some street credibility as well. Rumors dated as recently as July 1 involved Marcin in a deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The interest of Gregg Popovic and his coaching staff proves that Gortat is a worthy asset and deserving of the bounty he will earn in a new city, be it this year or next.

Even more encouraging is the fact that Suns general manager Ryan McDonough seems committed to the big man as well. While neglecting to acknowledge trade talks have become part of every GM's media mirage these days, McDonough's seeming confidence in Gortat demonstrates his expectations from his veteran center. 

At the very least, Marcin should tutor-by-example his new rookie teammate, Alex Len. Len will immediately begin being groomed for a starter's role, which could be open if Gortat is on the move. Until that day comes, Len should learn all he can from the Polish Hammer. 

Eric Bledsoe

Eric Bledsoe has been ready to bust out of that Los Angeles Clippers uniform for all three years of his young NBA career. He's spent time as a reserve behind Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups and always showed great promise. 

Bledsoe's move to the Phoenix Suns—in a three team deal that also netted Phoenix Caron Butler—is his greatest chance to showcase his talent. I'm ready to see him really go for it alongside backcourt running mate Goran Dragic. 

Defensively, Bledsoe is an agitator on the ball and a bully when his opponents attack off the dribble. He is muscular, broad and usually has a strength advantage over his counterpart. Eric can chase down cutters and block shots near the rim, evidenced by his creation of a transition bucket in the accompanying video. 

Bledsoe needs to improve his ball-handling and patience, as facilitating the pick-and-roll will be one of his major responsibilities. The Suns have traditionally relied heavily on crafty point guards and skilled big men; the incoming talent fits the mold. 

Will he be consistent enough of a scorer—and limit turnovers (nearly 2.0 per game in under 20 minutes)—to have the Suns on track to be playoff contenders in a few short seasons? That remains to be seen. 

What we do know is that Eric Bledsoe will be playing hard to prove his worth to a new franchise. I like the sound of that.