David Richard – USA Today Sports Images
Earlier in the off-season, Phoenix Suns forward/center Channing Frye was medically cleared by doctors at Johns Hopkins to resume basketball activities after missing all of last season with an enlarged heart. At the time, though, the only thing standing between him and playing in the 2013-2014 NBA season was meeting with the team doctors and having them clear him to play this year.
Apparently Frye has now had those team meetings and everything is set, because he’s going to be taking part in Suns training camp starting on Monday. Frye told Paul Coro of USA Today Sports that the team doctors said he was ready to go and that he was excited to be a part of a talented young team. He also added that he “can’t wait to run out of the tunnel to the fans.”
Not only is it good to see that Frye is back from a terrifying injury and to see him fully recovered, but it’s also good for the Suns because of what Frye can bring to this young team that’s starting to undergo changes in the Ryan McDonough era.
In 560 games, the 30-year-old Frye has averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and one assist in 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and a respectable 39 percent from beyond-the-arc.
Frye isn’t a great defender, but he’s serviceable on that end of the floor. His biggest asset for the Suns, though, is undoubtedly his offensive versatility. Not only does Frye have the length and skill to succeed with the ball in the post, but he also has a reliable jumper with range that takes him out beyond-the-arc.
There will surely be some growing pains as Frye tries to get his legs under him and get back to game-speed, but that’s to be expected. Once he gets back to full-health, though, he should be able to come in and really give young players like Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic a great deal of help in their development. Having Frye back is good for him and for the team; everybody wins here.
Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.
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