Authors of a full season, the Kings have the luxury of being able to take advantage of the last games before the playoffs to test different things. Mike Brown thus seized the opportunity to put Alex Len back in the game and place him among the potential pivots who will occupy the role of back-up for Domantas Sabonis.
After Trey Lyles, Chimezie Metu, Richaun Holmes see the “two-way contract” Neemias Queta, it is therefore the turn ofAlex Len to have a chance. The Ukrainian pivot, who had only played 57 minutes in the first 74 games, has again been favored by Mike Brown for a few games, and has just played three games with 13 minutes of playing time and more. A big first this season.
“This substitute pivot position has been filled by a lot of different guys, from Trey to Mezie, Richaun and even Neemias on a few occasions”recalled Mike Brown. “Alex is probably the one who hasn’t had a lot of opportunities, so we felt like throwing him a few games ago against Minnesota. It was something we wanted to see and I was pleasantly surprised by Alex”.
Chain performance
Alex Len did not miss the opportunity to seize his chance by first focusing on defensive work. Against Portland last week, he even distinguished himself by receiving the chain rewarding the best defender of the game, a small gadget put in place by Mike Brown to enhance defensive performance.
“Coach warned me before the game against Minnesota, he said to me, ‘Be ready to be part of the rotation,’ and I’m happy to be part of it”, rejoiced the person concerned. “I’m just happy and grateful. I worked all season, kept myself ready, made sure my body was healthy, weight training, got treatment, etc. It took me a few matches to find my rhythm because when you haven’t played for a long time the game always gets a bit too fast, but I’m taking it in as I go.”
His pugnacity and professionalism prompted Mike Brown to take advantage of this last fortnight in the regular season to see him at work. While his teammates Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk praised his work ethic and the toughness he could bring to the field, Mike Brown is said to be considering giving him a new chain at the end of the season for all of his work. .
“He’s probably the most professional guy I’ve met”the Sacramento coach ignites somewhat, bringing out the traditional discourse on the player “who arrives first and leaves training last”. “If there is an award for the best teammate, it could very well go to him. He is a great support for everything we do as a teammate, but he does not forget to work. He is the first to arrive, the last to leave, and he comes back alone in the evening. He is still physically and mentally ready to play, and now he finally has the opportunity to play a few minutes behind Domantas and get his rhythm.”
Beneficial for the team and the player
Even if there was no victory at the end this night against San Antonio, he still brought his stone to the building with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in 13 minutes for a +/- of +13.
“We are not yet certain of the choice of player (who will be the replacement for Sabonis), and being able to give Alex a few minutes in this position in important matches is beneficial for us, in case we need to him in terms of match-ups”continued Mike Brown. “It’s also beneficial for him, because it will help his pace. He played well on both sides of the field. He did exactly what we expect from this replacement pivot position.
There will still be four regular season games left for Mike Brown to see Alex Len at work (New Orleans, Dallas, Golden State, Denver) while waiting to know his first opponent in the playoffs and the match-up that will suit best.
| Alex Len | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | PHX | 42 | 9 | 42.3 | 0.0 | 64.5 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 2.1 |
| 2014-15 | PHX | 69 | 22 | 50.7 | 33.3 | 70.2 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 6.3 |
| 2015-16 | PHX | 78 | 23 | 42.3 | 14.3 | 72.8 | 2.3 | 5.3 | 7.6 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 9.0 |
| 2016-17 | PHX | 77 | 20 | 49.7 | 25.0 | 72.1 | 2.0 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 8.0 |
| 2017-18 | PHX | 69 | 20 | 56.6 | 33.3 | 68.4 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 8.5 |
| 2018-19 | ATL | 77 | 20 | 49.4 | 36.3 | 64.8 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 11.1 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 55 | 18 | 55.5 | 27.1 | 64.8 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 8.0 |
| 2019-20 * | ATL | 40 | 19 | 54.6 | 25.0 | 63.0 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 8.7 |
| 2019-20 * | BAG | 15 | 15 | 59.3 | 66.7 | 70.8 | 2.1 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 5.9 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 64 | 15 | 61.5 | 32.0 | 62.9 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 6.6 |
| 2020-21 * | WAS | 57 | 16 | 61.9 | 26.3 | 63.6 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 7.1 |
| 2020-21 * | TOR | 7 | 11 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 2.3 |
| 2021-22 | BAG | 39 | 16 | 53.4 | 28.6 | 65.1 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 6.0 |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 21 | 4 | 52.6 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| Total | 591 | 18 | 50.7 | 32.7 | 68.3 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 7.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
