Last season, in 2014-15, Eric Bledsoe was one of just four players to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.50 steals along with Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Cleveland’s LeBron James.
Still, he wasn’t satisfied. After all, the Suns didn’t make the Playoffs.
To remedy that, Bledsoe remained in Phoenix over the summer in order to rededicate himself to the game, train with his teammates and set an example as a leader.
So far, his hard work has paid off.
Bledsoe is averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and is shooting 47-percent from the floor and 82-percent from the foul line (averaging 9.0 attempts per game).
The star guard led the Suns with 22 points against Portland on Oct. 30 and 33 points at Portland on Oct. 31. In nine games against the Trail Blazers as a Sun, Bledsoe is averaging 22.8 points with six games of 20+ points, three of 30+ points and five games with at least nine free throw attempts.
His night on October 31, however, was special.
With 33 points, six assists, four steals and two blocks at Portland, Bledsoe became the first NBA player to record at least those totals in those categories since Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving on Jan. 4, 2013, and the first Suns player to do so since Amar’e Stoudemire on Nov. 5, 2008, at Indiana.
The Suns are 2-1 through three games, but Bledsoe’s efficient play is absolutely an encouraging sign.