Shaquille Harrison puts defense first with Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX – Unlike many players, defense comes naturally to Phoenix Suns rookie guard Shaquille Harrison. And it might just be his ticket to remain in the NBA.

In four appearances thus far with the Suns, Harrison has eight steals; four in his debut against the L.A. Clippers and then four in the win at Memphis, when all four came within a four-minute fourth-quarter stretch to help seal the victory.

In the process, Harrison made NBA history.

He became the first player to have multiple four-plus steal performances in his first four career games since Mario Chalmers in 2008. The only other Suns player to do so was Alvan Adams in 1975.

“It’s been fun for me to play defense, and where I come from, if you got scored on, it was embarrassing. You don’t want to let your man to score, so I’ve always had that mentality,” Harrison said Friday.

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Harrison had defense preached to him at a very early age, going back to fourth or fifth grade, he said. And then in high school, Harrison’s coach “drilled defense, defense, defense” from Day 1.

“After games, you don’t want to hear, like, this guy busted you or, like, that guy—he had 20 (points) on you. You don’t want to hear none of that,” Harrison said. “You go in and lock up.”

And that’s exactly what Harrison has done with the Suns.

It was Harrison who interim head coach Jay Triano turned to late in the game against the Grizzlies, playing him the final six minutes to nail down the win.

“When you look at players in the NBA, what can you bring to change a game? Can you change a game by coming in and hitting five 3s, can you come in by locking down a guy that’s maybe got it going a bit, can you pick up full-court and create better pace for the rest of your team? I think he’s got an ability to do that,” Triano said.

“He changes the game with the way that he defends.”

Overall, Harrison is averaging 2.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 10.5 minutes.

Harrison joined the Suns on Feb. 21, signing a 10-day contract, which runs out Friday after the Oklahoma City game. It’s expected the Suns will re-sign him, especially with how well he’s played when his number has been called.

“I just try to take it one day at a time, play my game and everything else will work out. I can’t control those type of things. I only can control what I can control,” Harrison said.

Tyson Chandler remains sidelined

Once again, center Tyson Chandler did not play. He missed his sixth straight game and seventh in eight games overall as he deals with a neck spasm.

The Suns are pointing to the upcoming road trip, perhaps Sunday in Atlanta, for Chandler to make his return.

“That’s our goal. I was hoping tonight, but he’s just not there yet,” Triano said.

Chandler last played on Feb. 12. He’s not had any contact since and likely won’t ahead of the Hawks game. The Suns will not practice Saturday.

Chandler has been working out on his own, building up his conditioning given his near three-week absence from game action.

“How he responds today and pregame will be a big factor,” Triano said.

The 50-40-90 Club

It was once again “Decade Night” at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday. The Suns honored their teams from the 2000s, which was one of the more successful decades in the 50-year history of the franchise.

From 2000-2010, the Suns won 492 games, the fourth-highest total in the NBA during that span. The Suns did score the most points (85,085) and made the most 3-pointers (5,894). Of course, a lot of that was due to the play of Steve Nash.

Four times in the 2000s, Nash finished a season shooting at least 50-percent from the field, 40-percent from 3-point range and 90-percent at the foul line. It’s something only seven players have ever accomplished, and no player more than Nash.

“It’s an unbelievable accomplishment,” guard Troy Daniels said. “It’s tough to do, it’s tough to do. Long, nights in the gym, long hours in the gym. Putting up a lot of shots.”

Daniels currently is shooting 40.5 percent, 39.9 percent and 90.6 percent, respectively; the closest of any Suns player at the 50-40-90 marks.

“If I can make my layups, I’d be alright, right?” he said, shaking his head. “I shoot 3s better than I shoot layups. It’s crazy.”

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