Examining a Suns 3-on-3 team vs NBA lottery teams
By Assane Drame
With all the recent talk about 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and leagues (as well as the sport’s recent addition into the Olympics in 2020), how would the Suns stack up against potential teams based on current rosters in the NBA?
From Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league, to 3-on-3 Olympic basketball, it is a fun time to talk about this variation of the game and come up with ideas and concepts that intrigue us all. What if the NBA itself adopted a 3-on-3 tournament? The possibilities of combinations for teams would be endless.
Who would be the top candidates to represent the Phoenix Suns in this tournament? Based on what NBA senior director of international basketball Troy Justice told For the Win, it would be ideal to send out guys with unique qualities.
"“Your ideal 3-on-3 player is really a guard-skilled big. “Kevin Durant would translate very well. A 3-point shot is worth two points, and inside the arc is worth one point. So the teams I’ve watched — I’ve done a lot of scouting globally with 3-on-3 and watched some of the best players and teams and the strategies they implement. It’s a lot of 3-point shooting and getting to the rim. The one other thing you need is a good rim protector, a strong big that can rebound and defend. Then you need three knock-down great shooters. But because there’s so much space on the floor, everyone needs to have the ability to put the ball on floor and create their own shot.”"
Suns fans can agree that a certain 70 point scorer should be a part of the team considering he can shoot threes and has a knack for scoring.
Alan Williams would also be a good pickup considering he provides the energy and rebounding the team needs. He could clean up the misses around the rim.
To complete the required roster under Olympic rules, Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler would be nice additions. Bledsoe provides a little of everything with his passing, perimeter defense, scoring, and athleticism. As the team’s alternate, Chandler gives you rim protection and very good rebounding.
Let’s look at how the Suns would match up against their fellow lottery teams in the top five.
If you have any suggestions on players you’d like to see play from this team and the matchups involved, let me know!