Jock Landale Loving Life With the Phoenix Suns
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Perhaps it's fitting Jock Landale's first game in a Phoenix Suns uniform is against Australia's Adelaide 36ers, who compete in the NBL.
Landale, Phoenix's 26-year-old center who was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks over the summer, is an Australian native from Melbourne.
“To be able to bring them out here on the world stage and give those guys a taste, first and foremost, of what it’s like to be in this league and playing in front of these crowds is fantastic," said Landale to reporters (h/t Duane Rankin).
Landale played 10.9 minutes averaged per night during last year with San Antonio, garnering 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in the box score.
Production (and time) was minimal for the Aussie in his first taste of NBA action last season. However, there's hope that he can further develop his game behind guys such as Deandre Ayton and Bismack Biyombo.
Suns shooting guard Devin Booker said earlier this week he's been impressed with Landale.
"I've enjoyed playing with Jock [Landale]. He's making the right plays out there. He's one of the few players on the team I haven't seen the most of and it's been very impressive," said Booker.
Landale returned the favor when speaking with media.
"He makes the game so much easier for me because there's so much attention pushed his way so all I was really doing was making reads based off what I saw in those coverages they were throwing at him," said Landale.
"I think that's what we're gonna see a lot this year with him and CP [Chris Paul] is teams are gonna kinda scout them out a whole bunch … That'll be great because it'll leave me to get open a whole lot more then I'm probably used to."
The main theme of Landale's short time in Phoenix has been opportunity. Heading into his second season in the league, he hopes to get plenty of that moving forward.
It doesn't appear as if Landale will emerge as an All-Star, something even Ayton hasn't managed to be honored with in his career.
However, the Suns were in search of quality depth under the rim, and they may have just found it.
“It’s a hell of an organization,” Landale told reporters.
“The people in here are high character people and as far as finding enjoyment, I always go home and talk with my fiancée and my parents and mates about the level of passion and commitment and joy I’m getting out of the game right now is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
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