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We are close to 10% of the way into the season. The Suns have played seven of their 82 games so far and with players in and out of the lineup and new additions, the team is not fully whole yet. That being said, members of the squad have had the chance to show how their game has improved from the offseason and into the Valley’s new look team. Here are some players who are off to some interesting starts.
Devin Booker
While the franchise cornerstone’s stats are somewhat similar to his stats from previous seasons to start the year, his efficiency is off the charts, shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three. Coming into the season definitively running point guard for the first time in his career, Booker has taken complete responsibility in running the offense, handling doubling teams and taking the game over when he feel he needs to like he did Sunday night to close out the Valley’s upset win over the the undefeated San Antonio Spurs.
Collin Gillespie
Averaging career highs in nearly every statistical category, Gillespie has asserted himself as the team’s backup point guard. He’s played minutes with the starters during important stretches, knocked down over 40% of his threes on a staggering seven attempts a game and recorded double digits in his last four contests. He’s kept the offense afloat when Booker has been out, and despite being 6’1”, is averaging nearly a block a game.
Royce O’Neale
It was unclear what his role would be entering the season with the team trading for Dillon Brooks and looking to go in a younger direction, but O’Neale has started in every game since Brooks went down and tied a franchise record for most threes made through the first six games of a season with six. Since moving into the starting lineup, he’s averaging 14.8 points and 4.3 threes made per game, shooting 50% from behind the arc.
Mark Williams
Still on a minutes restriction, Williams continues to assimilate to his new team. He had two 20-point and 10-rebound games last week, and was a main part of the defensive effort, limiting early MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama to a season-low nine points on 4/14 shooting and six turnovers. Williams’ role will continue to adapt once he starts playing in back-to-backs and isn’t on a minutes restriction, but as the team’s new starting center, he’s showed an ability to defend and be a paint presence for the offense.
Considering the turnover Phoenix had this offseason, have any of these players surprised you the most to start the season? Or is it someone else? Let us know.
