Eric Bledsoe: ‘I’m on another level’

Eric Bledsoe had a much different summer this year than in 2014.

Bledsoe arrived just before camp began last summer due to his contract negotiations that weren’t resolved until Sept. 24, when he signed a $70 million deal.

This year, it was a different story.

Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said Bledsoe took vacation to visit his family in Alabama but spent the majority of his summer in Phoenix. Bledsoe said that his time in the gym was spent shooting, staying in shape and showing his dedication to the rest of his team.

“I’m ready to take that next step, not only for me but for the organization, for the team,” Bledsoe told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday.

“I’m confident right now. I know that right now, I’m on another level.”

Bledsoe averaged 17.0 points per game in the 2014-15 season, which ranked tenth among qualified point guards. He also averaged 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

“For me, taking the next step is being one of the top point guards. And I feel like right now, I am,” Bledsoe said.

At the Suns’ media day Monday, Hornacek said he likes what he’s seen from his starting guard.

“He was in here every day doing things, a lot of times twice a day,” Hornacek said. “You can tell in the playing they’ve been doing, the pickup games, he’s a guy that wants to be a leader.”