Steve Nash isn’t the only international point guard playing more freely this year, his backup Goran Dragic is showing he belongs in the NBA with his early season play for the Phoenix Suns.

Just last night, the left-handed Slovenian point guard tallied 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists (as well as 6 turnovers) in the Suns’ win over the Hornets.

Dragic was one point off his career high in points (15), but set career highs in three-point field goals attempted and made (3-5), rebounds (7), and tied his career-highs in field goals attempted (11) and made (5).

In a rough rookie season where his minutes and performance were both inconsistent, the 6-3 guard averaged just 4.5 points on 39% from the field and 2.0 assist/1.3 turnovers in 13 minutes of play.

Through 9 games this season, the 6-3, 23 year old is averaging 7.4 points, 3.4 assists (1.8 turnovers), 2.3 rebounds, and shooting 49% from the field and 52.9% from three.

Dragic’s numbers are a marked improvement in each of the above categories, while playing roughly the same amount of minutes (15) he averaged during his rookie campaign.

Those numbers aren’t anything to write home about, but the Suns are confident in the second-year player, and Dragic has, so far, responded.