PHOENIX — A shorthanded Phoenix Suns group for the preseason finale in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, a 105-104 loss on Wednesday, allowed the back-half of the roster to get some shine.

Head coach Monty Williams elected to relaxation his 4 wholesome starters. Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton joined Landry Shamet (left hip pressure), Cam Payne (proper finger sprain), Cam Johnson (proper thumb sprain) and Dario Saric (private causes) as out for the sport. With Phoenix’s present roster of 19 additionally with out Jae Crowder (not with group), the Suns have been all the way down to 10 guys.

These 10 guys performed rather well contemplating the Kings solely had two key gamers out. Phoenix truly led by three at halftime earlier than a 29-19 third quarter for Sacramento opened the sport up. The Kings’ complete rotation of 10 gamers to that time sat within the fourth quarter, giving the Suns’ group an opportunity to get a win in a recreation that got here all the way down to the final possession.

The 2 standouts have been middle Jock Landale and level guard Duane Washington Jr., a pair that has been spectacular all through the preseason and are two names we wouldn’t have essentially highlighted two weeks in the past.

Landale ended up with 17 factors, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and 4 blocks in 32 minutes whereas Washington scored a game-high 31 factors on 10-of-19 taking pictures to go together with two rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and 11 turnovers in a game-high 39 minutes.

Landale has surprisingly appeared to win the backup middle spot, a spot many (together with myself) would have projected him behind Saric and Bismack Biyombo. He’s a glass eater for rebounds, is all the time shifting and is extra expert and cellular than you’d assume.

Landale mentioned after shootaround on Wednesday he prioritized his offseason program about growing his mobility and you’ll see the advantages already. The additional little bit of quickness has helped him in every single place.

It’s letting him get in the proper spot sooner offensively, the place Landale’s proven a very good really feel for hook shot finishes inside 10 ft of the basket. The entire “proper spot sooner” factor, although, is basically going to help him extra on protection.

Landale is a excessive IQ participant and he’s in higher positions now to make performs on the ball.

It is a 𝐉𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊 social gathering! pic.twitter.com/JTyjnxhife

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 13, 2022

“It’s one thing that I’m unsure the place he discovered that or it’s simply him however he’s made performs like that in apply, he’s made them in preseason video games the place he will get his hand on a ball,” Williams mentioned, noting how the coaches are excited by how Landale defends pick-and-roll.

In 589 minutes final 12 months in his first NBA season, Landale recorded 10 steals and 14 blocks. Throughout 89 minutes this preseason, he completed with 5 steals and 6 blocks.

Landale jokingly mentioned he doesn’t know what’s occurring with such an increase in these numbers earlier than stating how the Suns’ defensive protection actually fits him and he understands it higher. The Aussie had a lot of conversations with fellow countrymen and 2015 Second Group All-Protection middle Andrew Bogut on protection.

Landale, who performed in Australia two seasons in the past, credit a few of it as effectively to adjusting higher to the NBA in comparison with FIBA, the place he was mentioned as a possible Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

“Final 12 months, I felt slightly bit out of my depth defensively,” he mentioned of his rookie NBA season. “Simply sort of that further spacing, understanding it was loads of 2-on-2 basketball defensively.”

He’s going to place collectively loads of a number of efforts throughout multiple possession like this going ahead.

Jock Landale guidelines. pic.twitter.com/T5OvQXs2kh

— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) October 13, 2022

Washington is, in pure phrases, a hooper. The 22-year-old not often appears uncomfortable or too sped up on the ball, an important trait for him to own resulting from his lack of high-end burst. Washington is a troublesome shot-maker off that and desires to attain by contact within the paint.

His passing, even with the turnovers, has been essentially the most pleasing improvement.

One thing to find out about Washington is that that is his first time enjoying level guard within the NBA. The complete weight of the offense and being handed the automotive keys generally is a lot to tackle. Williams identified how loads of these turnovers got here deep into Washington’s lengthy shifts.

“It’s not an excuse however I believed he was simply spent,” Williams mentioned. “There have been just a few turnovers the place he simply had nothing within the tank. When a man hasn’t performed a ton and then you definitely get him to 39 minutes, that’s so much. So I might give him slightly little bit of grace with the turnovers.”

Washington, who mentioned he was very annoyed by the 11 turnovers, clearly 1) can learn the ground off primary ball display actions and dribble drives whereas 2) throwing the proper cross when he sees the opening. That was not evident in his rookie season as a result of, effectively, he wasn’t enjoying level guard!

Having him at full go persistently attacking defenses is clearly going to provide a blended bag together with his expertise degree however the arsenal for an occasional on-ball position is current and is how he could be utilized. The Suns’ bench lacks offensive pop, one thing Washington can present in bunches together with his mentality as a scorer.

“He doesn’t have any concern in any respect,” Williams mentioned of Washington. “Generally it helps and typically it will get him in hassle. However I believed the flexibility to make robust pictures, assault the paint — I believed he made some good pocket passes early that helped us.”

Defensively, there’s a handful of methods of the commerce Washington has to get down that each one younger gamers do. The excellent news is he’s attentive and prepared on that finish, with some first rate on-ball chops already thanks partially to some lengthy arms for his measurement.

Washington tried barely extra 3s than 2s as a rookie final 12 months for Indiana, a praise to how nice of a shooter he’s and was in school at Ohio State. However there’s extra to his recreation, and if he can knock down his 2s sufficient (at 43.4% final 12 months and in want of an uptick) whereas progressing with the little issues, there’s a rotation-caliber NBA level guard in there.

“He’s a diligent employee,” Williams mentioned of Washington. “He’s been in our gymnasium for darn close to two months, if no more, earlier than the season began. We noticed some issues with him that excited us as a improvement man.”

“I be taught one thing new each single day,” Washington mentioned. “I satisfaction myself on studying one thing new every single day. Helps me get higher as a participant, helps us get higher as a group.”

The Suns’ depth has, rightfully so, been questioned heading into the season. However hitting on at the very least one participant outdoors the top-seven of the rotation, like a giant man acquired for money or a two-way signing that was solely lower due to a suggestion sheet to Ayton, would do wonders for the group’s steadiness within the common season.

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