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Phoenix Suns Weekly Player Rankings: February 3 - February 9

The Suns went 1-2 over the three game road stretch this week, and had their fair share of ups-and-downs in the process. The line-ups and minutes were given a fairly substantial makeover this week, with head coach Lindsey Hunter keeping his promise to give the young players more minutes. Here's a look at how the rankings shaped up this week amidst the changes.

Hey Rob!
Hey Rob!
Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
1. Goran Dragic

Weekly Average: 16 points, 5.5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steals in 30 minutes of play

Thankfully, Dragic continues to be the best player on the team. He should be in the number one spot each and every week, as he is without a doubt the best and most talented player on the roster. Most Suns fans would like to see him step it up on defense...he shouldn't continue to be torched by opposing guards with his ability to defend. Also, we would like those assist numbers to increase, but I think we also have to take into account what he has to work with in that respect.

2. Marcin Gortat

Weekly Average: 13 points, 6.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes of play

Gortat had a very up and down week. He had two very productive games against the Grizzlies and the...ahem...Pelicans, but then managed to score only 2 points on 2 shots along with 4 rebounds in over 26 minutes against the Thunder last night. Even with his disappearing act, Gortat's numbers overall are still good enough to keep him clinging to the 2nd spot in this weeks rankings.

3. Michael Beasley

Weekly Average: 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1 assist in 23 minutes of play

I'm not sure what this says about the Suns, but Beasley has become one of the best players on this team. His overall performance over the last month can't be discounted as an aberration any longer. Beasley has been given more minutes lately, and has responded with increased production.

4. Jermaine O'Neal:

Weekly Average: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist in 22 minutes of play

Welcome back J.O.! O'Neal returned this week after a medical scare that had him sidelined the past couple weeks, and he stepped right back onto the court like he had never left. Jermaine is our best defensive big, and his presence in the post gives the Suns a presence they simply cannot replace without him. Not only that, he is productive offensively as well, and helps the Suns in a variety of ways as you can see from his stat line.

5. P.J. Tucker

Weekly Average: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists in 24 minutes of play

Tucker continues to be the team's best defensive stopper, and hustle/energy guy. He has been given big minutes lately, and for the most part has done his job. He only played 16 minutes against Durant and the Thunder last night, which I don't fully understand, but when he has been asked to stop the opposing team's best player he has done it better than anyone else on the roster.

6. Luis Scola

Weekly Average: 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 19 minutes of play

Scola's minutes were significantly reduced this week, down one-third of his average from the previous weeks. A lot of this has to do with the rise of Beasley who has been taking more minutes from Scola at the four...and deservedly so. But Scola just isn't the same player when he's given a reduced role.

7. Jared Dudley

Weekly Average: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists in 20 minutes of play

Dudley just hasn't been the same player lately. He had a good game against the hornets (14pts, 6rbs), but was non-existent in the other two match-ups this week scoring 0 and 3 points respectively. I'm not sure what's going on with Dudz, but he will need to step up his play soon or will risk losing more minutes to Marshall, or maybe Garrett as head coach Lindsey Hunter continues his development of the youngsters.

8. Markieff Morris

Weekly Average: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists in 24 minutes of play

Morris has been struggling offensively lately, and his woes continued this week shooting only 6-17 from the field. Markieff has been in a slump, but Hunter continues to give him plenty of playing time. I think is probably a good thing, but Morris really needs to step up and play to his potential by finding ways to help the team even when his shot isn't falling.

9. Kendall Marshall

Weekly Average: 5 points, 3 assists in 24 minutes of play

Marshall was given his first big minutes this week, and Hunter did a nice job of finding ways to complement him on the court...especially when playing alongside Dragic which worked really well against the Grizzlies. Marshall is still very much a rookie, but found a way to make some nice passes and even some nice shots (at times). He's still very much a work in progress, but we're seeing growth, and that's what counts.

10. Shannon Brown

Weekly Average: 5 points, 3 rebounds in 19 minutes of play

Brown's minutes were about the same this week, but his production was down. Brown can be an electric scorer when he's dialed in, but he is still a liability on defense and if he's not producing on offense then there's little reason to keep him on the court.

So there you have it. Feel free to share your opinion in the comments below!

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