It wasn’t a fun night. The Suns lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, but I can’t say I’m heartbroken either. Yeah, they lost by 27. That happened plenty last year. What’s becoming clear, though, is that shooting is going to be a real problem for this team. I’m sorry, Bright Side, but you’re going to hear that from me a lot this season until I see something different. It was my biggest concern coming in, and two games in, it still is.
A lot of people will look at Devin Booker and wonder why
he wasn’t more aggressive.
But it felt like he was trying to lead, trying to get others involved, maybe too much. He’d get into the paint, create the kind of space only he can, and then look to dish instead of finish. The problem? His teammates didn’t cash in. The team shot 40% from the field on shots not taken by Booker.
So yeah, I’d like to see him shoot more. But I’d also like to see someone else hit a damn shot.
When you play a team like the Clippers, you can really see where the gaps are. That roster is loaded. Ours is…still figuring out who it is. The difference isn’t subtle; it’s glaring. Nights like this remind you where the Suns stand in the Western Conference food chain, and it’s somewhere below where they think they should be.
Bright Side Baller Season Standings
It was tight. Too close for comfort, the kind of margin that makes you appreciate democracy.
On one side, Devin Booker, cool as ever, dropped 31 on 10-for-19 shooting and drilled the game-clincher. On the other, Mark Williams, the new guy in town, rolling off the bench and grabbing the spotlight with 6 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks in his first real run with the team.
The votes came in, and by a sliver — four votes of 231 to be exact — your Bright Side Baller of the Game is Mark Williams.
I went with Booker. Old habits. But I get it. You don’t get many chances to hand flowers to the new face in town, and Williams earned his bouquet. He played like someone who knew every board mattered, every second was a statement. It was a hell of an introduction, the kind of performance that makes you think about what’s possible if he can sustain it.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
As for last night against the Clippers, here are your nominees…
Dillon Brooks
21 points (7-of-17, 5-of-10 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, -15 +/-
Devin Booker
18 points (5-of-10, 1-of-4 3PT, 7-of-7 FT), 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 turnovers, -22 +/-
Collin Gillespie
13 points (5-of-12, 3-of-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -18 +/-
Grayson Allen
12 points (4-of-12, 3-of-9 3PT, 1-of-1 FT), 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, -11 +/-
Royce O’Neale
11 points (4-of-11, 3-of-10 3PT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -22 +/-
Oso Ighodaro
9 points (4-of-7 FG, 1-of-3 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -1 +/-
And now it is time to cast your ballot.
