With the Suns, Jock Landale wants to take a step

For his first experience of its kind, Jock Landale surely did not expect to experience such a hectic free agency. ” It was pretty nerve wracking because you never really know, as a minimum wage player, how many trades you’re going to be involved in.“, describes the Australian.

It thus experienced two transactions at the beginning of July. A first in passing from the Spurs to the Hawks, being involved in the exchange around Dejounte Murray. Then a second, a few days later, leaving Atlanta for its final destination: Phoenix.

” It was my first realization that it’s a business and there’s not a lot of loyalty in the sport. It’s like that and I had to get used to it pretty quickly “, Continues the 26-year-old player, ultimately not so unhappy to leave Texas for Arizona.

On a collective level, he is indeed leaving a soft belly team in the Western Conference for the team that has won the most regular season games over the last two years, cumulatively, than any other formation in the league ( 115 wins). A team that also suits very much to my personality and my style of play. […] My contract not being guaranteed, it was a bit unsettling as I said, but I’m happy to be where I am and to have remained in a great franchise.“

What role in the Suns racket?

With the departure of JaVale McGee, he will try to recover minutes behind Deandre Ayton as well as Bismack Biyombo, who also represented a major physical challenge for Jock Landale. ” So it’s great that I don’t have to mess with him four times a year.“

Last year, for his rookie season with the Spurs, the non-drafted player brought 5 points and minus 3 rebounds in about ten minutes on average. ” I was a rookie last year, but I’m not a rookie in terms of professionalism “, assures the 26-year-old player, before continuing on his role with the Suns: “ They won’t expect me to be a defensive stopper like with Mikal (Bridges), but they understand that I have a high IQ. I go up the field with intensity. I take offensive and defensive rebounds every time and I’m a shooter. My mindset is to keep it simple: get rebounds, run and get open shots. It’s a bit like the three things on which I assess myself.“

Three fairly basic dimensions that Monty Williams could take advantage of by mobilizing him off the bench. His recruit already displays the need to “ take it up a notch from what I did last year, and I think if I had had the opportunity last year to settle into this role, I would have done very well. I think I can bring it to the Suns this year and continue to grow in that role. If they want more from me, then they’ll tell me, but right now it’s sort of a self-defined role. I’m extremely confident in the idea of ​​performing at a high level and helping this team to go where they want to go.“