Phoenix Suns Reign On Player of the Week: Goran Dragic

No surprise, Goran Dragic had another outstanding week. With a team that has been on the worst overall stretch of the season, just one win in the last six games, it's difficult to hand out any accolades at the moment. But if there's one player who doesn't deserve much angst over the current losing trend, it's the Dragon.

You may have heard people making comments about how Dragic can't do it all alone which may seem like an overstatement at times, because on any given night there is at least another couple of players who help carry the load, at least to some extent.

However, the problem is that there is nobody who has proven they can help Dragic carry the load on a consistent basis...at least not since Eric Bledsoe went out with an injury.

Take this week for instance. Gerald Green had a huge game against the Lakers scoring a season high 28 points, but he was a complete no-show against the Knicks, going 2/16 for only four points. And in last night's loss to the Mavericks, Green went 4/13 for 12 points. One good game sandwiched between two bad ones.

Let's also look at Markieff Morris, who had shown a very promising stretch of games earlier in the season. Markieff had a great night against the Mavericks, scoring 23 points on 8/15 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds. He also had a big night against the Lakers, scoring 24 points on 9/14 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds. But against the Knicks? 2 points on 1/5 shooting and 2 rebounds. Not good enough.

Compare this with Dragic's week. His "worst" game was against the Lakers where he scored a measly 18 points on 7/15 shooting and also managed to grab 10 rebounds and dish out 7 assists. If we could get those kind of numbers on someone else's "worst" day, the Suns wouldn't be in this position right now.

Instead, it's the same story. Dragic is awesome, and someone else has a good game, but nobody else has proven they are capable of doing it consistently.

Don't get me wrong, the Suns have plenty of good players and are fun to watch with loads of chemistry, and they have a versatile enough roster that various players can find ways to contribute on a nightly basis. However, without that second consistent scoring threat that they had with Bledsoe, the Suns are struggling to keep their heads above water.

Goran Dragic has been all we'd hoped he would be this season and is playing at an All-Star level, whether or not he actually makes it. But for the Suns to maintain their position until Bledsoe returns, they need to find another consistent player. Even if they aren't putting up the same kind of numbers as Dragic...The Suns just need someone else they can count on.

At any rate, this just goes to show what an outstanding job The Dragon has been doing for the Suns this season, and how he has elevated his game now that the Suns need him most. But just how well is he doing? Here are some interesting tweets from the Suns' digital reporter, Matt Petersen:

Dragic last 5 games: 21.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 6.0 rpg, 46.2% three-point shooting

— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) January 17, 2014

Goran Dragic has creeped into top 25 in NBA in scoring (19.3ppg). Best FG% of any guard in that group (48.2%) #Suns

— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) January 17, 2014

Pretty impressive stuff, huh?

---

Made for royalty, Crown Royal offers a fine array of blended whisky products such as Crown Royal Deluxe, Crown Royal Black, Crown Royal Maple, Crown Royal Reserve and Crown Royal XR. Fit for every occasion, the Crown Royal portfolio caters to those who choose to celebrate with a whisky they can incorporate into every memorable experience.

Remember, our readers will also have a chance to receive some Crown Royal swag to help you Reign On, too, on the street, basketball court or just in your living room. More to come soon.