There are several examples across sports in which a player turned their career around and saved themselves from the perils of ineptitude. Locally, we are familiar with names such as Kurt Warner and Randy Johnson. Kurt Warner was working in a grocery store after his college career ended. It took years for him to work his way to the top of the NFL. Randy Johnson was a middle of the road pitcher until it finally clicked in his late 20’s. Frank Kaminsky could also be a late bloomer.
I’m not saying that Frank Kaminsky is going to all of a sudden turn into a Hall of Famer. What I am saying is that Kaminsky could be making a turn in his career to become a very solid NBA player. We know that there is some talent and savvy inside Frank. Just a reminder that Frank was dynamic at Wisconsin. His senior season he averaged 18.8 PPG on 54% shooting, 6.7 REB and 2.6 AST. Frank also had 2 deep March Madness runs with Wisconsin. Frank was selected 9th overall in the 2015 NBA draft. Keep in mind this was 4 spots higher than Devin Booker and 5 spots higher than Cameron Payne. This man could ball.
Obviously Kaminsky is not the most athletic guy out there. He lacks that pure athleticism that slaps you in the face which is present with Deandre Ayton. What Frank does have is intelligence and the ability to refine his craft. It is not as if Frank woke up one day and had lost all of his natural athleticism. This is how he has played the game his entire life. His game is predicated around good footwork, hustle, and bringing energy and engagement. Having Chris Paul as your point guard certainly helps too.
In addition, we have all heard the old adage that big men in the NBA take longer to develop than guards/wing players. The same topic is told ad nauseum in conversation about Deandre Ayton. Perhaps this applies to Frank? He understands his role and is in a place where he encouraged and loved. His quotes the other night about needing to prove himself right instead of others wrong and his conversation with Monty Williams pulled at the heart strings. You can feel the emotion in his words and how much it means to him for the struggles and hard work to be paying off.
Frank Kaminsky is in his 6th year in the league and 3rd year with the Suns under Coach Monty Williams. At 28 years old this is the time for Frank to fully establish himself as a solid NBA player. He seems to have done enough to keep himself away from the scrap heap for a little while longer. He needs to maintain this surge of great defense and unexpected offense that he is displaying this year. If Frank can keep this up, it will go a long way for helping him individually and the Suns as a team. He can finally be living up to his own potential as a player after years of barely hanging. Plus, If Frank Kaminsky can be a late bloomer, the Suns can go 3 deep at center in the playoffs, and it’s on!