PHOENIX SUNS

SI.com writers would give some hardware to the Phoenix Suns

Jan 23, 2014, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:30 pm

To the victor goes the spoils, and the more the Phoenix Suns win, the more likely they are to be recognized for their efforts.

As the 2013-14 season reaches its midway point, many publications are handing out their “midseason awards,” and SI.com is no different.

Their list, released Thursday, has a few of Suns on the list.

When asked to name the “Most Improved Player,” both Eric Bledsoe and Miles Plumlee received votes.

For Bledsoe, Chris Mannix wrote:

Before the season, there were whispers out of L.A. that Bledsoe could struggle in a starting role, that for all his speed and quickness he wasn’t well equipped to run a half court offense. Now? Bledsoe has answered those questions, and then some, driving Phoenix to a shocking — repeat, shocking — 19-11 start before being sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. A terror in the open floor, Bledsoe has been efficient, too — he is tied for 32nd in the NBA in PER — while improving his field goal percentage to a career-best 48.6 percent. The aforementioned knee injury could cost him the award at the end of the season, but for the first half, it’s his.

On the shelf for now, Bledsoe has averages of 18 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. As a Clipper last season, his line was 8.5 points, 3.1 assists and 3 rebounds per contest, albeit in 13 fewer minutes per contest.

Bledsoe also earned a couple of “runner up” nominations, but it was Plumlee who got a vote from Lee Jenkins. He wrote wrote:

A year ago, Plumlee was sitting at the end of the bench in Indiana, on the fringe of the NBA. The Pacers lacked depth, yet still they hesitated to call on Plumlee, who averaged a meager 0.9 points in 3.9 minutes. The Pacers fortified their bench by acquiring Luis Scola from Phoenix in the summer. Plumlee was one of the afterthoughts — a throw-in, essentially — they sent back to the Suns. Now, Plumlee is a starting center, averaging nearly a double-double for a young team fighting for a playoff berth. The Suns are well positioned for the future and Plumlee is a major reason why.

The 25-year-old who barely played last season has started all 41 games for the Suns this season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

But the players were not the only ones to be recognized, as head coach Jeff Hornacek appeared on all five writers’ Coach of the Year ballots, earning the top spot on Rob Mahoney’s. In defense of his choice, Mahoney wrote:

If a coach’s primary responsibility is to put his players in a position to succeed, then none has done better work this season than Hornacek. It’s from his design that the Suns have been utterly tank-defiant, and it’s a testament to his rotation choices that Phoenix has few (if any) problematic lineups.

At 24-17, the Phoenix Suns have clearly surpassed whatever expectations most put on them heading into the season. If they maintain their current pace, chances are their efforts will again be recognized when the season comes to a close.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

9 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

SI.com writers would give some hardware to the Phoenix Suns