Changed diet, improved game, is Eric Bledsoe ready to lead a playoff team?
Eric Bledsoe changed his diet this offseason, and he says it's already paying major dividends. Is he ready to lead the Suns to the playoffs?
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4 min read
You can choose to believe it or not, but Eric Bledsoe swears he's just naturally built like the muscle-bound miniature tank that he is.
"I'm just naturally like this," Bledsoe says when asked about his physique. "I try to do stuff to help prevent injuries but people don't believe me when I say that. But I am just naturally built like this."
Bledsoe's modesty aside, the Phoenix Suns guard's work in the gym does a lot more than just "prevent injuries."
As one of the strongest guards in the league, Bledsoe resembles a mini-freight train when driving to basket. And then on defense, Bledsoe's strength and athleticism allows him to guard bigger wing players. Bledsoe is physically strong but his overall game may also be as robust.
Last season in Bledsoe's first full year as a starter, he played 81 games and averaged 17.0 points, 6.1 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. At 25 years old, Bledsoe's game has improved each season and he seems poised for a breakout season. Bledsoe is well aware of his potential which is why he has heeded the advice of veterans like Caron Butler, Mo Williams and LeBron James about how to properly take care of his body through diet and nutrition.
"I was a young kid coming in, eating fast food everyday," says Bledsoe. "Once the years went on, I started getting older and started having conversations with veterans. They told me that you got to change your diet, eating habits and everything. Then when I got [to Phoenix], I definitely had to change it up once I started playing more minutes."
Bledsoe has a personal chef but through his partnership with plant-based protein manufacturer Beyond Meat, the Suns guard changed up his diet even more this offseason -- laregly reducing the amount of meat he consumed. This change in his diet hasn't caused Bledsoe to lose any weight or gain any added muscle but he says that he feels in better shape overall.
Also crediting his new diet for giving him "more energy throughout the day," Bledsoe stayed in Phoenix over the summer and became a constant fixture at the Suns arena. Whether he was lifting weights or working on his shot or practicing pick and rolls with Alex Len ( I'm just trying to build that chemistry,") Bledsoe focused on his improving overall game.
"I was working on my shot for the most part, but I was doing it in different ways so I wasn't just standing still and shooting," Bledsoe said. "Like I was coming off pick and rolls and shooting or getting in the paint and shooting floaters."
Bledsoe is betting that all of his work in the offseason will pay off in a substantial way not just for him but also for the Suns.
"I think this year, this season is going to be a big season for me," says Bledsoe. "I feel good and confident in myself but the biggest goal I got right now is making the playoffs. I can say all of the goals I want individually, but if we make the playoffs those individual accolades will come."
The Suns have been in contention for the eight seed in the West for the last two seasons. Phoenix will definitely have a chance again this season as injuries to key members of the Dallas Mavericks and the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge from the Portland Trail Blazers could potentially open up two spots. The Oklahoma City Thunder will more than likely snag one of those spots, leaving probably the eighth seed up for grabs.
Sensing the opportunity to return to the postseason for the first time since 2010, Phoenix signed Tyson Chandler in July. Chandler may be entering the tail end of his career but he is still an excellent defender and instantly gives the Suns a championship-winning veteran leader that they haven't had in the locker room before. Bledsoe believes Chandler's leadership will make a significant impact on the Suns.
"We have been playing pickup the last month or so and he's been unbelievable," says Bledsoe about Chandler. "You can definitely already see how our team reacts to his leadership and his effect on our team, especially with our younger players."
Even with the addition of Chandler and 29-year-old free agents Sonny Weems and Mirza Teletovic, the Suns are still a relatively young team. However, Bledsoe confidently says that with players like Markieff Morris ("I feel like he's one of the top power forwards in the league,"), Brandon Knight ("I'm blessed to be in the backcourt with him,") and himself, Phoenix has a chance in the loaded West.
"Everybody knows that the West is tough," says Bledsoe. "But as long as we come out every game confident and we feel like we are better the team, we will be able to put ourselves in a great situation."
