Channing Frye becoming a better rebounder
Mar 5, 2012, 11:09 PM | Updated: 11:13 pm
The Suns need Channing Frye to shoot the ball. And shoot it well.
He hasn’t the last two games yet the Suns still found a way to win.
Against the Clippers Friday, Frye missed his first 11 shots and finished 2-for-18. He then missed nine of his 12 attempts against the Kings Sunday.
In each game, however, Frye grabbed double-digit rebounds.
“Of course I want to shoot better and be an offensive threat, but I understand that shooters go through ups-and-downs,” Frye said following practice Monday. “If I can still contribute in other ways that’s a testament to me and just continuing to work hard.”
Frye is averaging 6.1 rebounds a game, second-best on the team. He has 24 in the last two games, his best two-game stretch of the season and the best of his career since he grabbed 35 over a three-game period in 2008 while with Portland. He’s already hit the double-figure rebound mark eight times (in 37 games) something he didn’t accomplish until game number-57 last season.
“I think what he’s realized now,” explained head coach Alvin Gentry, “is that there are other facets of his game that he can help us. It doesn’t have to be just making shots.”
The Suns are benefiting from Frye’s aggressiveness on the boards. The team has outrebounded the opposition in a season-high four straight games.
“I’m just trying to be a complete player,” Frye said. “That’s something I wanted to work on this year.”
