There’ll be a Big Three in Phoenix Soon Enough
The Phoenix Suns are not one of the NBA teams searching for the 2017 NBA Championship. But do they have the next upcoming big three already on their roster?
It’s WAY to early to tell, but the Suns may be looking to gain an early start in developing the next NBA big three. By drafting two promising power forwards, an exciting point guard, and continue to build Devin Booker, the Suns may be on the verge of genius in the next few years.
When the Suns were in their prime around the 2005-2006 season, they were lead by three players; Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, and Amar’e Stoudemire. With Joe Johnson falling close behind. The big three, however, Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire.
These three were known as one of the scariest combination of players in the NBA. Nearly all three finished each season with a double-double, while making it to the Western Conference Finals almost every season.
These Suns were the inventors of the Run-n-Gun game in the NBA. Which could be why they were so successful. A group of the most athletic players in the NBA, who just ran and ran and ran.
Today, the Suns are searching for their identity. The Run-n-Gun game isn’t going to fool NBA teams in today’s game. These young group of Suns’ players need to find a new style that can show the NBA that they’re here to make some noise.
The Suns already took the first step in building this next great Suns’ team. By deciding it’s time to build young and not look for superstars in free agency, but through the draft, they have taken a major step in beginning to develop a quality team.
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However, there is going to come a time in the next few seasons, maybe sooner rather than later, when they will need to decide two things.
One, who is going to run the court in Phoenix. Whether that is Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, or Tyler Ulis is still up for grabs. All three have had impressive moments, even though Ulis’ came in Summer League, and the Suns need to begin evaluating each player in hopes of picking the point guard of the future.
This isn’t to say that the Suns cannot keep two of these players on the roster. Having a quality backup guard is essential for accomplished NBA teams. But when it comes to the starting role, this player needs to feel like the face of Phoenix. Much like Nash did during his time with the Suns.
Next, there will need to be a decision between the two rookie forwards. It’d be nice to say that both of these players can one day be in the starting lineup for the Suns. Actually, if they both end up there, it’d mean that the Suns have more talent than they hoped for.
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Right now, T.J. Warren in the small forward of the future in Phoenix. Although he was unable to finish last season due to a foot injury, Warren showed the Suns he’s got a lot of potential in the NBA. He definitely needs an entire year, preferably in the starting lineup, to show his total value to the team. If he has an impressive season, though, he’s looking at a long promising run with the Suns.
That leaves the big decision between rookies, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender, at the power forward role. As strange as it seems, Bender would be an incredibly talented small forward if he wasn’t 7’1″ tall. This upcoming season, Chriss is looking to get the first shot in the starting lineup at PF. Chriss’ 10 points and 9 rebounds per game during Summer League significantly outperformed Bender’s 8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
As of right now, Chriss looks to get the first shot at becoming a part of this big three. Whether that will stick or not is still a giant question mark.
Combine Either Tyler Ulis or Eric Bledsoe with Devin Booker, and either Dragan Bender or Marquese Chriss, and there’s a promising big three.
It may not be around right now, but if they work out, they could be one of the more prominent big threes in the NBA.