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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At the beginning of the off-season I had personally argued that the Suns needed to bring Leandro Barbosa back into the fold as a veteran off the bench who could both lead as well as play the point in those seemingly oft situations in which either Bledsoe and/or Knight are injured.

He is not a player that can be counted on for long periods of time, and is best suited in these later years of his career as a short spurt guy, mainly in the shooting guard position.

And yet, he has led at the point in the past. In particular, for those who don’t recall, he was the Suns’ starting point guard for the second half of the 2003-04 season before then General Manager Bryan Colangelo signed Steve Nash.

It wasn’t the most successful run then, but the fact remains, in this case, should he be needed to be the floor general, the Suns have a very capable one in Leandro Barbosa on the roster in case of emergency.

Archie Goodwin, on the other hand, is still learning the craft, and many fans argue whether or not he will ever be suited to run the point, or if he should be a two guard through and through. His athleticism and speed are akin to Leandro Barbosa, though his leaping ability and size are far closer to counterpart, Devin Booker.

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For now, Archie cannot be counted on yet to lead the team for any length of time greater than a few minutes. His propensity to turn the ball over faster than an usher can lead a fan to his seat is alarming. While he is still very young, 22, he has been on the Suns’ roster for three seasons, and has yet to show any extended ability to lead from the point.

What makes him so special, though, is that because of his age, coupled with his size, there is plenty of reasonable optimism that he will continue to develop into the type of point guard the Suns are hoping he can be. Thus, he will continue to get his minutes and should he clean up his game, he will definitely see extended and regular playing time ramping up the chances that he stays with Phoenix long-term.

Regardless, he is a solid second or third option off the bench, possibly the best of that level in the league, which should pay dividends in the future. It has been exciting to watch him develop, and this season may finally be the one where he begins to break out.

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