Valley of the Suns
Fansided

5-On-5: What Has Keyed Phoenix Suns’ Turnaround?

By Jeffrey Sanders

Mar 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Phoenix Suns
Mar 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) celebrates a three point shot with guard Eric Bledsoe (2) in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. What has been the key to the Suns recent turnaround?

Gerald Bourguet: Defense. Since the All-Star Break, the Suns have been one of the 10 best defenses in the league. While finding their offense in the last few games has been a welcome sight, the Suns are really getting it done on the defensive end since inserting Marcus Morris into the starting lineup alongside P.J. Tucker on the wing.

More from Suns News

Scott Chasen: Having Alex Len back has helped. People seen to forget that this is a really talented team, and one that would probably win a playoff series in the East, so I’d say the turnaround is a combination of three things: Regression to the mean (going back up after they were down), getting Alex Len back, improving on defense and in communication.

Spencer Hann: The easy answer is their sixth ranked defense since the All-Star break, but I believe that their dramatically improved defense is a result of internal change. The Suns are playing for each other, finally. Whether it’s the bench exploding after a Brandan Wright block in Houston or Gerald Green tackling Archie Goodwin after his go-ahead three against Dallas, the team chemistry from last season has arrived. It will be very interesting to see how the team plays when Knight returns to a rotation that has become fairly comfortable without him.

Eric Saar: I mean, obviously it’s because of the defense. With the bigger lineup (Marcus Morris instead of Brandon Knight) their defense has been the best in the NBA during this winning streak, allowing just 92.2 points per 100 possessions. The rebounding on both ends of the floor has also increased.

Mark Harris: It has to be the defense. In their last five games, they’ve allowed an average of 90.6 points per game, and if that trend continues then the Phoenix offense should definitely be able to outscore that. Earlier this year it seemed like the Suns were forced to outscore the opposing teams, but now if their offense is faltering, then the defense can hold down the fort.

Next: Defensive Improvements

Home/Suns News