Every Monday, Suns.com's Matt petersen hands out his Suns Player of the Week award based on the previous seven-day stretch. Stats are always a good indicator, but other factors can also come into play (intangible impact, game-swinging spurts, etc.). The runner-up is also included because often, that second guy's impact was just as impressive as the first's.
Player of the Week — Eric Bledsoe
Bledsoe Throws It Down
It's back-to-back honors for Bledsoe, who continues to do nearly everything while sparking his teammates' collective performance at the same time. The fifth-year guard averaged 18.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per contest last week, a stretch which included his second triple double of the season.
It's clear that when Bledsoe kicks his game into another gear, the rest of the team is quick to do the same. It's no coincidence that his best play of the season has mirrored the team's current six-game win streak.
Runner-Up Player of the Week — Alex Len
Dragic Finds Len
It was tough going with Len over Goran Dragic (21.7 ppg, 52.1 FG%, 47.1 3FG%), but the 21-year-old big man's impact has been one of the most visible factors in the Suns' recent surge. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, the Suns are 6-1, including 6-0 with the current starting five healthy and ready to go (Dragic missed the Dec. 15 loss).
As for Len, his progress was on full display last week as he put up 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting a ridiculous 62.5 percent from the field. Full credit is due after fighting through dual ankle surgeries just a year ago. Now it looks as though Phoenix has one of the league's elite rim protectors and finishers in the paint.