Paul Coro

azcentral sports

After being limited to two half-seasons in his first two NBA years, Suns small forward T.J. Warren might not be a known commodity to all teams yet.

Oklahoma City knows all too well what type of scorer he can be.

Warren topped the 29-point game he had at Oklahoma City on Dec. 31, a month before his foot fracture, with a career-high 30 points in his return there for Friday night’s 113-110 Suns overtime loss. He also had his rookie season-high of 18 points against the Thunder.

Warren introduced himself to nearly the entire roster Friday, scoring on eight Oklahoma City players.

Warren, now the starting small forward, often veers from what the Suns are running on offense but he also is creative and aggressive enough that he can bust a Suns slump alone. Warren went 8 for 8 on mid-range shots Friday, scoring them off of curling pull-ups, transition dribble pull-ups, one-foot runners and square-up, one-on-one jump shots.

“He gets buckets; ‘Tony Buckets’ is his name,” Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe said. “He played not only great offense but great defense too. He carried us.”

Warren has fouled 10 times in the first two games but is second on the Suns in rebounds (14) to Tyson Chandler (20) and first in steals (five).

RELATED: Suns drop wild overtime loss to Westbrook, Thunder

Watson offers Price

When Ronnie Price took a guaranteed two-year contract from Oklahoma City last summer over the Suns interest to keep him as a third point guard, Suns coach Earl Watson told him he would have a coaching position waiting for him.

That possibility came sooner than expected Monday, when the Thunder waived Price despite the $5 million guarantee to make room for rookie Semaj Christon.

Watson said he quickly called Price to make the standing offer again.

The position?

“I don’t care,” Watson said. “That’s the position. Whatever it is. Just come, just come. Just be a part of it. We just need your presence. The same thing with (Suns player development assistant) Mehmet Okur. We were all teammates in Utah. Just come. We need your presence. You want to do front office work. You want to do scouting. You want to work with a player. Just take a trip. Come have dinner with me one time. I’ll never let you leave.”

Price declined for now, holding out hope of continuing to play at age 33.

“I figure I’ll call him every Sunday,” Watson said.

Price tied with Suns forward Jared Dudley for second in this year’s nba.com GM survey for the question, “Which active player will make the best head coach someday?” Clippers point guard Chris Paul was first.

“I think it’s my media stuff,” Dudley said. “They see me talk and see I’m proper. It’s a compliment. Either the analysis or coaching is something I’ll do afterward. I’m coming for someone’s job.”

MORE: Ulis' NBA entry helped by best buddy Booker

3s, please

The Suns have made 9 of 44 3-point shots (20.5 percent) in the first two games with their star guard trio struggling the most. Bledsoe (2 for 12), Devin Booker (2 for 11) and Brandon Knight (1 for 9) are 5 for 32 while their teammates are 4 for 12. Bledsoe missed all seven 3-point tries Friday, including six after halftime.

“The 3s will fall but we have to shoot them,” Watson said. “Our 3-point shooters cannot pass up shots. Once you get it, you have to let it fly. That’s our motto. Our guys have to get used to that mindset. You can’t shoot for percentages. Guys realize that. Have fun, shoot it, hold your follow-through. Whatever happens is supposed to happen but have an aggressive, positive attitude.”

On the upside, the Suns have defended 3s well with opponents going 11 for 42 (26.2 percent).

RELATED: Suns hurt by bench defense, icy Knight in opener

5 and 5

Watson cut up the season into blocks of five home games and five road games at a time. Suns coaches have divided seasons into parts previously but the home-away separation is new.

Watson said he was overwhelmed by the 82-game NBA schedule as a young player until his second season's coach, Hubie Brown in Memphis, introduced the home and away blocks.

“He said it is very important to be aware of where you are in a season and where you are at in a city,” Watson said.

MORE: Complete Suns coverage

Free throws

* The Suns became the first NBA team to ever play three teenagers in a game, doing so Wednesday and Friday. That might happen again, but only if 19-year-old Derrick Jones is activated to join Marquese Chriss, 19, and Dragan Bender, 18. Booker turns 20 on Sunday.

* Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook’s 51 points in Friday’s overtime win against the Suns was tied for the third-most points scored in a triple-double performance, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Wilt Chamberlain had triple-double games with 53 and 51 points and Elgin Baylor had one with 52 points. Chamberlain’s and Baylor’s games were in the 1960s.

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

Sunday’s game

Suns vs. Warriors

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM (98.7).

Warriors update: Golden State was routed 129-100 in its home opener by San Antonio but rebounded for a 122-114 Friday win at New Orleans. Kevin Durant is averaging 28.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his first two games with the Warriors, who now start Zaza Pachulia at center. Stephen Curry (24.5), Klay Thompson (19.5) and Draymond Green (13.0) continue to power the ball-sharing offense but the bench’s high scorer is Andre Iguodala at 5.5. The Warriors have won seven consecutive games against the Suns.