PHOENIX SUNS

Al McCoy comments on the development of Suns’ youth

Jan 19, 2017, 12:27 PM

Phoenix Suns Devin Booker holds the ball back, under pressure from Dallas Mavericks Wesley Matthews...

Phoenix Suns Devin Booker holds the ball back, under pressure from Dallas Mavericks Wesley Matthews in the first half of their regular-season NBA basketball game in Mexico City, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

LISTEN: Al McCoy, Hall of Fame voice of the Suns

Phoenix Suns radio broadcaster Al McCoy appeared on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Doug & Wolf on Thursday and discussed the development of rookies Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss and second-year shooting guard Devin Booker.

Booker has been dominating since the calendar turned to 2017. In seven games in January, he’s averaging 27.6 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 50 percent from deep. He’s been especially strong closing games recently, shooting 54 percent in the fourth quarter this month.

“I think what has happened is he has realized that he has the ability not to just shoot outside shots, not to just get open for mid-range jumpers, but take the ball to the hoop,” McCoy said. “He has the size. He has the quickness. He can finish with either hand, and I think that really is what’s has really elevated his game in the last few weeks.”

McCoy also commented on Booker’s attitude off the court, calling him “a very friendly, very personable young guy.”

While Booker, especially due to his recent outburst, draws most of the attention, there are several other young players on this Phoenix squad, including Bender and Chriss.

“I think Bender has shown an increase in his game in just the last few weeks,” McCoy said. “I think as far as Chriss, you know he’s up and down. We saw some of the great things he can do but it’s still a learning process for him.”

Bender has played 14.2 minutes per game since January 1. While he has not shot the ball well, making around 33 percent of his field goals, he and Alex Len have come on strong as a defensive duo. Both stand 7-foot-1 and have wingspans of about 7-foot-3, making them tough to deal with because of their length.

Meanwhile, Chriss has seen a slight uptick in his numbers since the new year. His rebounds per game are up from 3.9 to 4.1, and he’s averaging an assist per game after only putting up 0.5 in December. He’s also shooting 90 percent from the foul line, a dramatic improvement over December, where he shot 62 percent.

Both have been coming along slowly, and some fans may feel like they’ve disappointed, but McCoy thinks they’re about on par with preseason projections.

“If we were to go back to the beginning of the season and you were to ask where those two would be, I think they’re about where we thought they would be,” McCoy said.

The Suns (13-28) begin a three-game, four-day road trip on Thursday in Cleveland for a rematch with the defending champions. From there, they’ll have a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday against the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

4 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

9 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

23 hours ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

1 day ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Al McCoy comments on the development of Suns’ youth