Valley of the Suns
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The Phoenix Suns’ Best Position of Strength is at Point Guard

By Adam Maynes

Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns players (from left) Archie Goodwin , Brandon Knight , Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. All four players previous played basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns players (from left) Archie Goodwin , Brandon Knight , Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. All four players previous played basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandon Knight

For fans, the moment Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas were traded, it seemed that the Suns had finally chosen a single point guard to hold take over, Eric Bledsoe.

But moments later it was announced that the Suns had further traded for Brandon Knight, and the multi-point guard carousel continued.

A near All-Star in Milwaukee, it was reported that Bucks Head Coach Jason Kidd did not believe in Knight as a point guard moving forward, while other reports stated that the Bucks believed they were unable to match the salary that he would demand upon his impending free agency – something that the Suns were obviously willing to take on.

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The problem was then, and still is, that Knight is not a passing first point guard. His best skill is in his ability to score, despite his size, which means that while on the court with any other guards, he is going to demand majority possession of the ball to be most effective.

A game most similar to Stephon Marbury, Knight is undoubtedly a talented point guard, and potentially on a team in need of a point guard with no other scoring guards around, he could become a solid starter, and All-Star, both similar to Isaiah Thomas in Boston.

For now, in Phoenix, he should be relegated to the bench where, if he were to stay there all season, he will be a viable candidate to become a Sixth Man of the Year winner. Having a player of Knight’s caliber waiting in the reserve is a serious boost for a team looking for as much talent on the roster as possible, and given the opportunity, is flexible enough to spell both Bledsoe and Booker in the backcourt.

Although Head Coach Earl Watson has noted that Devin Booker has physically grown to a height that could position him as a small forward, potentially affording the second year coach the opportunity to play the three talented guards at the same time, it does appear that bringing Knight off the bench actually does give the Suns more flexibility, giving them the opportunity to have two of the three on the court at all times, allowing T.J. Warren the chance to grow by playing at small forward and keeping Alex Len at the center position, rather than sliding him to power forward.

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