Although the end result is certainly not what the Suns wanted, the emergence of the versatile Jon Leuer off the bench is an incredibly positive sign moving forward.
In their 120-114 loss to New Orleans, Leuer almost single-handedly kept the Suns within reach late in the game (including 13 points and five boards in the fourth quarter alone). The first-year Sun finished with a total of 20 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting in just 25 minutes of action.
Leuer also had a team-high +/- of +6.
"It was good to get into a rhythm and help the team," Leuer said after Wednesday's game. "I'll do whatever I can to help the team. There were a couple possessions down the stretch we’d like to have back. A lot of games in the NBA come down to the last few possessions and how you execute and get stops. We scored enough to win the game, but at the end of the day we have to get more stops down the stretch. We just came up a little short tonight."
Indeed, Leuer’s contribution off the bench is significant because he isn’t a one-dimensional player. That is to say, not only was Leuer hitting jumpers but he was also a stellar 50-percent (2-of-4) from downtown.
But Leuer also led the team in rebounds (12), and was the only Suns player to have more than 8. Having a player like Leuer that Hornacek can count on to contribute in multiple ways is invaluable as the Suns continue to find their identity.
"Jon played extremely well," Hornacek said. "Not only did he score, he’s usually in the right spot on the defensive side. He kind of kept us in there with his game and he knows how to mix up the role and mix up the little short jumper with the occasional pop for three.
"Jon played well."
Over his past three games, Leuer is averaging 10 points and about seven rebounds for the Suns while shooting a ridiculous 63-percent from the floor and 60-percent from the three-point line.
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More than likely, Leuer's role will change from game to game depending on what the team needs.
But recording his fourth career double-double (second of the season) with a season-high 20 points and career-high-tying 12 rebounds certainly bodes well for both Leuer and the team.