A shift has taken place in the Suns' rotation, specifically when Head Coach Jeff Hornacek motions toward the bench for the first time each game.
Recently, Archie Goodwin has been the target of Hornacek's attention. The third-year guard has been the first reserve off the Suns' bench in three of the previous four meetings. He has responded with back-to-back 12-point outings while shooting 50 percent from the field.
In his weekly appearance on the Burns & Gambo Show of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough cited Goodwin's strength as the main reason behind his emergence.
"I think it’s easy to forget that he’s still one of the younger players in the league," McDonough said. "He just recently turned 21 years old. He’s gotten stronger. That allows him to fight through screens, defensively. Offensively, as you guys know he’s got a quick first step and long strides, but when you can’t absorb the contact as well going tot eh basket, it’s hard to finish in this league, especially through contact."
Good Timing by Goodwin
Phoenix has also seen improved play from another reserve. The offseason signing of Mirza Teletovic conveyed visions of the Bosnian's soft shooting touch spreading the floor even more in order to let guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight wreak havoc. After a slow start to the season, Teletovic has hit at least one three-pointer in each of the last six games, a stretch in which he shooting 42.3 percent from downtown.
The 6-8 forward is attempting to find his groove after sitting out the second half of last season due to blood clots in his lungs. Now, McDonough said, Teletovic may be finding the NBA's version of a second wind.
"After being out for six or eight months with various health issues – as you guys know, it’s not like riding a bike, just get out there and get back to the player you were before immediately," McDonough said. "That takes you time."
Phoenix is willing to wait for exactly the reasons Teletovic has shown over the recent stretch of games. He has hit multiple three-pointers in each of the Suns' last three victories.
"The threat of Mirza," McDonough added, "whether he’s making shots or not, just the respect that other teams have for him around the league defensively opens up a lot for Bledsoe and Knight to get in there and penetrate and score or set other guys up."