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Evaluating The Phoenix Suns Heading Into All-Star Weekend

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The Suns won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The Suns won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) celebrates with Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris (11) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at US Airways Center. The Phoenix Suns won the game 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offense Works

For those “defense wins championships” pundits out there, the Phoenix Suns are living proof that a potent offense isn’t enough to make you a contender. Though the Suns are second in the NBA in pace and eighth in offensive rating (108.0 points per 100 possessions), they won’t be playing in the 2015 NBA Finals.

That being said, one of the more positive takeaways we have heading into the All-Star break is that the offense works.

The Suns have four players averaging at least 15.0 points per game: Bledsoe, Dragic, Markieff and Thomas. They are the only team in the NBA with four players scoring that many points per game, and it’s no wonder the Suns are fifth in the league in points per game.

Though Phoenix only averages 20.6 assists per game (23rd in the league), they have a number of players who can score out of isolation sets, such as Kieff, who has quietly developed into one of the more complete and versatile scorers in the league at the power forward position.

With Dragic, Thomas and Bledsoe on the roster, you’d think the assist rates would be higher, but they’re all scoring guards primarily and when the Suns push the tempo, they have quite a few players who can turn a rebound into a one-man fast break. The defense needs a ton of work, but the offense — even with a lack of ball/player movement at times — is not a problem area.

Next: Takeaway No. 5 - The Controversial Point Guard Hydra

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