The Phoenix Suns are sitting at a record of 1-2 after their back-to-back weekend stretch against the Clippers and Nuggets. Yes, it was a bit of a reality check after a fun 1-0 start, but we still have
79 more of these things.
We’ve learned a little bit about this team, but we have plenty more to learn in the pre-Jalen Green era until he returns. These next four games should give us a better understanding of where we sit moving forward.
Here are 3 key takeaways from these two games that stood out to me.
1. Devin Booker’s lack of aggression
Is it a lack of aggression or taking what the defense gives him? Maybe a bit of both. Either way, the Suns need Devin Booker to be more assertive and more selfish on the offensive end of the floor. Sure, he has two 31-point games, and he has been efficient.
However, he is averaging a career-low (excluding his rookie year) in shot attempts at just 15.0 per game. For reference, here is what his FGA has looked like the past 5 years: 19.2, 20.9, 20.1, 19.2, 18.9. That is 19.6 shots per game during that five-year stretch. A difference of 4.4 shots per game is pretty massive for a leading scorer, and while the sample size is small, it’s a number that needs to increase dramatically.
Simply put, he needs to shoot more. Especially while Jalen Green is out. We need to see 20+ attempts from Book, even if it means “forcing it” a bit.
2. Brooks & Dunn — creators of havoc, but…
This new Suns identity starts with these two relentlessly pursuing the ball, diving on the floor, and making the extra effort plays. Defensively, I have very few questions to ask; it’s more praise thrown their way for their intensity. Dunn’s ability to track offensive rebounds has been tremendous as well.
He is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game, a 3.7 increase from a year ago. That is a massive leap, and I hope it’s sustainable, because it addresses one of the team’s major weaknesses from a year ago.
However, offensively, it has been a different story.
Part of that is due to the increased reliance on offensive output from them until Jalen Green returns. Dunn is shooting just 25% from three, and Brooks sits at 29% on 10.3 attempts. Yes, 10.3 attempts just from three so far for Brooks. Between the two, that has to improve. Small sample size skews everything early on, but we all know you can’t have two sub-30% three-point shooters in your starting lineup.
3. Center rotation “mess”
Now look, the Suns’ center rotation is better (and deeper) than it was a year ago. That’s not saying much, but there’s reason to be optimistic. They just have to figure out how to piece it all together.
That being said, the Mark Williams minutes restriction and rest on a back-to-back have thrown it temporarily out of sync. It will take time for everyone to adjust, but in the meantime, head coach Jordan Ott must find a way to keep all four bigs fresh, motivated, and in rhythm.
If Williams can prove to stay healthy and the minutes restriction gets lifted, the Suns need to find a way to get a consistent rotation behind him. I don’t think sprinkling in 5 minutes here for Richards and 8 minutes there for Oso is the move. They need to pick one and stick with it, and we haven’t even gotten to the rook yet. I’m ready to unleash Khaman Maluach, even if he isn’t completely ready.
That cluster of capable bigs to sort through is Jordan Ott’s “problem” to navigate. One thing is for certain, it’s better than having a shortage.
So, in summary, we need a more aggressive Devin Booker. Brooks and Dunn to continue to harass opponents, but improve efficiency from deep, and Jordan Ott to figure out what the hell to do with 15 centers on the roster.
This team is not perfect, but there are still reasons to be optimistic despite the back-to-back blowout losses. Jalen Green is not the cure-all, but his return figures to be around the corner. Let’s hope they start to click before he does.
