Suns’ play-by-play announcer Al McCoy: Wesley Johnson fits in well with Suns

Mar 23, 2013, 12:03 AM | Updated: 1:51 am
LISTEN: Al McCoy , Voice of the Suns

The Phoenix Suns (23-46) have had few bright spots during their 2012-13 season.

Goran Dragic was brought back to town, and the move seems to be paying dividends, as the Dragon is leading the team in points(14.1), assists (7.0) and minutes (33.0) per game. He also leads the league in double-digit assist games since the All-Star break.

Over the last two months, Phoenix has also taken down the Los Angeles Lakers twice and won in San Antonio.

But outside of Dragic’s improved play and a few notable wins, the Suns have struggled to put a consistent product on the court of late.

That is, except for Wesley Johnson.

The fourth overall draft pick by Minnesota in 2010 has lit up the stat sheet for the Suns since being inserted into the starting lineup on March 8.

The small forward, who came to Phoenix after a disappointing two-year tenure with the Timberwolves, is averaging 29.2 minutes and 12.3 points per game in the month of March. In nine starts, the former Syracuse standout has scored in double figures on five different occasions.

Suns’ play-by-play announcer Al McCoy told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf that many people around the league doubted Johnson’s ability to play in the NBA.

“I don’t think there’s any question,” McCoy said. “I think those of us who have watched him in the second half of the season would certainly agree. He can play in the NBA and he’s certainly given every indication of that, particularly since the All-Star break.”

Johnson scored 18 points in 38 minutes in the Suns’ 88-79 loss to the Washington Wizards Wednesday night. While Johnson’s recent play was unexpected, McCoy thinks the potential has always been there.

“He may be the biggest surprise because we weren’t very familiar with him,” he said.

Phoenix Suns

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against T.J. Warren #21 of th...
Associated Press

NBA, players agree on new multi-year labor agreement with in-season tournament

The league and its players reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement Saturday, and ratification is expected to be a formality.
17 hours ago
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) motions after making a basket against the Denver Nuggets dur...
Kellan Olson

Durant returns to form, Suns drop level in win vs. shorthanded Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns had a great first half and a not so great second half on Friday in a win against the Denver Nuggets.
2 days ago
(Phoenix Suns Twitter photo)...
Wills Rice

Suns use early lead to hold on to win over injured Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns held on to beat the Denver Nuggets 100-93 on Friday at Footprint center behind Kevin Durant's 30 points.
2 days ago
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, drives the lane as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis ...
Arizona Sports

Nikola Jokic, 3 other Nuggets out for clash vs. Suns

The Denver Nuggets list Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray among a group of key players as out on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
2 days ago
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)...
Tom Kuebel

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert fined for comments on officiating in Suns game

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $25,000 for comments made that criticized officiating after the team's 107-100 loss to the Suns.
2 days ago
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)...
Arizona Sports

How to watch the Suns, D-backs and Coyotes on Friday

It's going to be a busy night of athletics to end March with three of the Valley's four major sports teams in action on Friday.
2 days ago
Suns’ play-by-play announcer Al McCoy: Wesley Johnson fits in well with Suns