The Phoenix Suns are off to an up-and-down 9-7 start to the year.
Injuries have once again caused early disruption. They’ve started 8-1 in their first nine games, squeaking out big, clutch-time wins against big Western Conference opponents. Since Kevin Durant’s injury against the Dallas Mavericks, the Suns are 1-6 overall and 0-5 without Durant and Bradley Beal. Everyone has had a role in how the Suns have gotten to their up and down so let’s look at how they’ve gotten there.
Kevin Durant: A-
As the legendary, 14-time All-Star recovers from an early-season calf injury, the Suns have struggled.
Durant’s execution in late-game, high-intense situations kept the Suns afloat early in the year. Phoenix is now inching closer to a .500 mark when every win and loss matters in a robust Western Conference. Durant should be returning for the Suns’ next game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Cup at a much-needed time.
Devin Booker: C-
Consistency is the key for the Suns franchise player in his age-28 season.
Book has had two games scoring at least 40 points — but six games scoring under 20. Phoenix will need their star guard to pick up the consistency on his offensive output to keep up with the death march of a Western Conference schedule.
Bradley Beal: B-
Beal and his health have continued to bite at the Suns and their ability to develop continuity.
The 13-year guard out of the University of Florida has slowly become a suitable tertiary scorer alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Beal has surprisingly made his most prominent impact on the defensive end, owning the task of guarding the other teams’ best ball-handler. Everything seems to be clicking in his second season since being the alpha in Washington.
If the injuries can slow down, Phoenix may start to find consistency with Beal being a big facet.
https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1861154431724585000
Tyus Jones: B
Jones is on a one-year, minimum deal following a productive season in the nation’s capital.
He has slid in well providing the ball to the team’s best scorers Durant and Booker while producing with his patented floater when necessary. The biggest concern with Jones and his play will continue to be late-game defense as teams haven’t shied away from attacking him late.
Jusuf Nurkic: D-
To say Nurk has been disappointing would be selling it short— he’s been terrible.
His offensive gaffs have killed the Suns early this season and completely limit the team’s capabilities. With one more year on his deal, Phoenix may need to find whatever value they can rekindle from the Bosnian big man before the trade deadline. Nurkic’s role may be reduced over the coming weeks.
https://twitter.com/adryanashton/status/1857623679741378671
Grayson Allen: C-
Last year’s league leader in three-point percentage has proclaimed to have put on 35 pounds in the offseason.
While that could be a good thing, the performance on the court hasn’t changed positively. Allen is shooting 35.0% from beyond the arc early this season while getting pretty solid looks. An uptick in some of Allen’s shooting can help this team reach a higher ceiling sooner than later.
Royce O’Neale: B+
After signing a four-year, $42 million deal on July 6th, O’Neale has been a bit of a safety blanket for this Suns team.
He’s surrounded by a pretty weak defensive group while Durant and Beal are held out by calf injuries. Once the two starters remain, the impact O’Neale has off the bench will be much needed.
Ryan Dunn: B
The rookie out of Virginia has been a great surprise to the Suns’ rotation.
The ‘rookie wall’ seems to be hitting Dunn, but a much-needed reset back to the bench is coming soon. The pressure and load of guarding high-level scorers all night should fade. Let’s just hope the three-point number can level out to at least a league-average rate.
Mason Plumlee: B
Plumlee has provided the Suns some cushion with the recent struggles of Jusuf Nurkic.
He’s been asked to do a lot. Start in multiple roles, whether alongside another center or on his own. With Nurkic’s return from double ankle sprains, the comfortability will return for Plumlee off the bench.
Oso Ighodaro: B+
The rookie high-rising big from Marquette has been a fun spark off the bench. The expectations are relative, but the motor and high IQ have been apparent. For a franchise with limited draft capital moving forward, development should be at the forefront for Ighodaro and the Suns.
Monte Morris: C+
Morris is on a one-year, minimum deal with the Suns. He’s been solid when given playing time, although his time on the court has been very sporadic. Barring an injury to Tyus Jones and/or Devin Booker, Morris won’t get many touches anytime soon.
Josh Okogie: A-
Last but certainly not least — J.O.
Finally returning from his pre-season quad injury, he has hit his three-point attempts! That’s been the name of the Josh Okogie game. Can he make his shots when left open? So far, the 50.0% mark may be a little too far out of realistic expectations, but it’s certainly been positive.
If he can continue to cause havoc on the defensive end and make his open threes at a decent clip, Bud won’t be able to keep him off the court.
Leave a comment