The Finalists
Eric Bledsoe aka "The Bulldog"
Weekly Stat Averages:
Points: 20.6 FG%: .488 Assists: 5.3 Steals: 1.3 Rebounds: 3.75
Eric Bledsoe continues to be one of the most exciting players to watch in the league...not just on the Suns. Bledsoe is scoring all over the court and continues to lead the team in scoring while still packing up assists, rebounds, and even the occasional block on a seven-footer.
Although Bledsoe wasn't the 4th quarter closer this week that the fans have grown accustomed to, he still provided the Suns with plenty of scoring, and helped provide a spark to the offense on multiple occasions. Bledsoe continues to shine and give Suns' fans plenty of reasons to be excited.
Goran Dragic aka "The Red Dragon"
Weekly Stat Averages:
Points: 15.0 FG%: .424 Assists: 4.2 Steals: 1.5 Rebounds: 1
Looking at the stat line alone, Dragic's week doesn't seem very impressive. However, anyone who saw the games and knows what happened during the week will certainly tell you how impressive the Dragon was in these last three games.
Dragic returned to the line-up against the Pelicans this Sunday, after injuring his ankle the week prior and missing a couple of games because of it. He came off the bench and was limited initially, but quickly picked up right where he had left off. Then, the day before the game against the Blazers, Dragic's wife gave birth to their first son, Mateo. Although he missed practice the day of, he returned to the team in time for the road trip to Portland. Dragic returned to the starting line-up and played extremely well through the first three quarters, but crashed into Mo Williams going after a loose ball and cut his eye/nose so badly that he had to exit the game and receive 13 stitches.
Dragic once again returned to the line-up against the Nets and gave his all, leading the team with 19 points and 10 assists...all with a bandage halfway covering his still swollen and bruised eye. There's no doubting Dragic's toughness, skill, nor his resolve to play hard and fight to the finish. His greatest attributes were all on full display throughout the week.
Gerald Green aka "The Sniper"
Weekly Stat Averages:
Points: 13.3 FG%: .500 Rebounds: 1.6
Miles Plumlee had a fairly good week overall, but struggled mightily against the Nets and was thoroughly outplayed by the taller and more refined Brook Lopez to end the week. So, it seems like a good time to give Gerald Green his due.
Night in and night out, Gerald Green is quietly having one of the biggest impacts on this dynamic Suns team. His athleticism is unreal, and he seems to have a knack in knocking down those big shots to help solidify the lead, or close the gap when the Suns need him most.
Gerald Green is in the process of reinventing himself as an NBA player, and is off to an outstanding start. He seems to have found the right fit on a young, exciting Suns team where he can grow along side the rest of the players.
The Player of the Week
Goran Dragic
Phoenix may have one of the most exciting, up-and-coming point guards in the league in Eric Bledsoe, but Goran Dragic is still the heart and soul of the Phoenix Suns. This week's award has more to do with the toughness, resiliency, and mental fortitude of the Dragon than just his stat line.
Goran Dragic's inspired play was cut short this week due to him coming off of one injury and receiving yet another. However, he never stopped fighting, attacking, and leading the team while he was on the court, and finished the week with one of his best performances of the season thus far.