Channing Frye of the Phoenix Suns

What’s gotten into Channing Frye?  The Arizona Wildcat alum is averaging 19.7 PPG after three games.  He’s shooting 58.3% from the field and a whopping 65% from three.  He has already attempted 20 threes; he attempted 10 alone against Minnesota on Sunday, November 2nd, 2009.  I know it’s still early in the season, but if he keeps this up, he could possibly win the Most Improved Player Award.

Channing was drafted 8th overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the New York Knicks.  After what seemed to be a decent and promising rookie season (he averaged 12.3 points/game, 5.7 rebounds/game, and shot 47.7% from the field; 33.3% from the three point line), he slumped hard in his sophomore year.  His minutes increased but his production dropped across the board.  Then before the start of his third season, he was shipped to Portland along with Steve Francis for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, Fred Jones, and the draft rights of Demetris Nichols (none of them are still with the Knicks).

In Portland, Channing’s minutes started to dwindle as well as his production.  With LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, and Joel Przybilla getting most of the minutes at the power forward and center positions, Channing Frye’s contributions were not really needed (Thus making him expendable).  Portland didn’t bother with trying to resign him during the off season.

During the 2009 off season, Channing Frye signed a 2 year $3.8 million deal with the Phoenix Suns.  This move benefitted his career in more ways than one.  First, he is back at home in Arizona where he grew up.  Second he gets to play with Steve Nash.  I attribute the later for his fast start and what seems to be his “breakthrough” season.  Steve Nash has the ability to make everyone around him look good (except for Shaq).  Many players have had their career seasons playing with Nash.  I do believe Channing has worked to improve his game, but on a team that starts Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, and Grant Hill, open shots don’t seem that hard to obtain.  If the opposing defense wants to leave a guy open to double down in the post, you can bet that the open guy is going to be Channing Frye.

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