Phoenix Suns

Alex Len purchased a football-throwing machine to help him improve his hands

Published Nov. 11, 2015 5:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

Alex Len has shown improvement in each of his three professional seasons, but he's taking an extra step personally to ensure his development continues as planned.

Matt Petersen of Suns.com has the story of just how far Len is willing to go to improve his NBA skills.

For roughly 30 minutes after Tuesday's practice at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix, Suns center Alex Len used a unique approach to improve his catching ability. Instead of accepting entry passes into the post or lobs at the rim, he was receiving pigskin bullets shot out of a football-throwing machine that he purchased himself on eBay.

"I was just watching videos on the internet of wide receivers catching the balls," Len said. "I thought it was a good idea to work on my hands and do something different."

Shortly thereafter, Len bought the machine and a number of footballs, which give him a different way to attack a basic big man fundamental.

"Just to have fun and switch it up a little bit after practice," Len said. "I just mess around with it."

Hey Gronk, meet Alex Len, 7-1 @Suns tight end. #WeArePHX pic.twitter.com/BGFNyn43oz
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) November 11, 2015
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