Paul Coro

azcentral sports

Playing for three teams over five seasons has not been a steady NBA experience for Brandon Knight but he always knew that he was a starter.

That has changed in Phoenix, where Suns coach Earl Watson’s definition of the Suns having six starters has put Knight in the role of sixth man for the first time in his career. Knight is figuring out how to embrace something he might not love in the name of a greater love – for wins and teammates.

After not addressing the lineup move Monday, Knight talked Tuesday about becoming a reserve, something he's done only 13 times in a 328-game career.

“It’s definitely a sacrifice,” said Knight, using one of Watson’s key tenets for the season. “We all have to do it to try to make the team better. Like I said, this is part of it. As long as I’m going out and remaining positive and trying to lift the team up and we’re winning games, that’s what you want to be part of – a winning situation.”

Watson said that Knight is the most important player on the Suns because of how his role is changing and how he will handle it. He is selling Knight as a Sixth Man Award candidate with the opportunity, at 24, to be one of the greatest sixth men in this NBA era.

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Knight fits the sixth-man model. He can be instant offense. Sixth Man Award winners usually are guards and often combo guards like Knight.

The past 10 Sixth Man Award winners, which included one non-guard (Lamar Odom), combined to average 17.2 points in 30.8 minutes per game. Not far off, Knight has averaged 15.9 points in 32.9 minutes per game for his career.

Knight already has the help of one of those 10 winners. Teammate Leandro Barbosa was the 2006-07 Sixth Man Award winner for Phoenix. Like Knight, he was 24 and turned 25 during the season.

Barbosa spoke to Knight about how his playing time will remain similar and that the second unit, which includes Barbosa, will look to him to score.

“It’s about sacrifice,” Barbosa said. “We know he’s a hell of a player.

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“I talked to him a little bit and he’s pretty comfortable about it. I’ll be on the court and help him. He’ll be our starter, always.”

Knight was diplomatically measured in his responses about the new role, one that he did not relish when former coach Jeff Hornacek sprung it on him before a game last season to try to jolt a struggling team. This time, Knight is more prepared for it.

It is a continuation of one of Watson’s touted strengths to set clear roles in a direct manner.

“I respect Earl,” Knight said. “Earl did an excellent job of letting me know ahead of time. Earl is a straight-forward, honest guy and I love him for that. That’s the reason I want to play for Earl because a lot of coaches wouldn’t handle it that way. I appreciate the way Earl handled it and I respect him a lot for that.”

Knight pledges to remain professional and positive as he deciphers his new role. He will have to figure out how to adjust to getting cold before being expected to enter a game hot. It is a rare NBA skill. He will have to learn the games of bench-mates but he now has a more specific role as the bench's aggressive scorer.

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“Definitely more clarity,” Knight said. “I wouldn’t say I’m more comfortable. But just based on the personnel, I think they’re going to look to me a little bit more for scoring in that second unit. No matter what unit it is, whether it is first, second, third, fourth, fifth, it’s just about playing basketball the right way. Shots will come to you when you’re open.”

Of course, finishing games appeals to Knight as much as starting them. Watson said he and the reserves likely will do that often. Knight said he will trust that process to ride a hot hand.

“We’re going to have to be, same thing as the first unit, scrappy,” Knight said. “I think defensively we’re going to have to get into guys. Like any second unit, if the first unit isn’t playing hard or if they need a lift, they could be playing hard. Our goal is to come in and set the tempo. If not keep the same, take it higher. Be a lift to the team, whoever is coming off the bench.”

Knight showed how he is more willing and able to defend more physically with the ankle and sports hernia issues of last season put behind him. He is a more confident player and said he often arrived three hours early this summer to work with athletic trainers and attain that peace of mind with his health.

“It’s a different skill,” Watson said of Knight learning to come off the bench. “He’s good enough that he’ll pick it up. Once he feels that flow, he’ll feel a natural rhythm to the game.”

“Anytime you accept that role as a professional and you accept it for the betterment of the team. We call this thing, ‘Leaving it at the door. It’s all about we.’ Everyone talks about it but until you actually have to do it, I don’t think there’s any better sign of leadership on any team in any sport.”

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Free throws

A main Suns theme has been momentum, defined by getting 1 percent better each day. After Tuesday’s practice, Watson said, "We got 10 percent better individually today. Today was a great practice honestly. Very intense, very passionate, very physical."

Suns forward P.J. Tucker, rehabilitating since Sept. 15 back surgery, has been taking set shots since Friday.

Watson’s former UCLA coach, Steve Lavin, is visiting Suns practices this week.

Reach Paul Coro at paul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him at twitter.com/paulcoro.

Wednesday's game

Suns vs. Jazz

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Radio/web: KTAR-FM (98.7)/streaming on Suns.com or Suns app. No TV.