Valley of the Suns
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Suns Spotlight: The Backcourt Since the All-Star Break

By Christian Sihombing

Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe , guard Tyler Ulis , guard Devin Booker and guard Brandon Knight pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe , guard Tyler Ulis , guard Devin Booker and guard Brandon Knight pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns have started to show glimpses of future greatness as the team is now streaking in the post NBA All-Star weekend competition. The team is currently enjoying one of the best stretches they’ve had in years and there seems to finally be light at the end of the tunnel.

The backcourt depth of the Phoenix Suns is arguably one of the best in the entire NBA, and it seems the sky is the limit with this young group. Each guard brings something different to the table, and the style of play that they each perform compliments one another. Since the All-Star break, the Suns’ backcourt has been exceptionally productive after Head Coach Earl Watson has shuffled the lineup placing an emphasis on the growth of the young core.

AFTER THE ALL-STAR BREAK

Devin Booker – 17.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 42.7 FG%, and 42.4 3P% in 34.3 mpg

Devin Booker has continued to produce at a high-level for the Phoenix Suns, and it seems unlikely that it will stop anytime soon. Booker currently leads the team in minutes per game, and he takes the most field goal attempts per game for the Suns as a result. Although it is important to note that Booker has only hit the 20-point mark twice since the All-Star break after scoring 20 in twenty of his previous twenty-two games prior to All-Star weekend.

Eric Bledsoe – 19.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 7.6 apg, 41.8 FG%, and 86.5 FT% in 31.6 mpg

Bledsoe has been the most consistent player for the Phoenix Suns the entire season and is scoring and facilitating at career levels. It is important to note that Bledsoe attempted a season-low four field goal attempts in the win against Charlotte on March 2nd, but was still able to score 14 points and dish out 7 assists. So far in the month of March, Bledsoe is getting to the free-throw line at an incredible rate, as he is attempting 9.7 free-throws per game – a season high. He is also averaging 7.1 free throw attempts on the season, the first guard for the Phoenix Suns to average at least 7 in a game since Kevin Johnson 1996-97 with 7.4.

Leandro Barbosa – 9.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, and 44.6 FG% in 18.3 mpg

The veteran Barbosa, has helped the Suns immensely as a spark off the bench providing instant offense and up-tempo play. Even after 13 seasons in the league, the former Sixth-Man of the Year is still finding a way to score in bunches and help his team on a nightly basis. Playing only 18.3 minutes per game might hurt other players in the league statistically, but Barbosa still seems to have his knack for rapid scoring. He is still averaging 15.9 points per 36-minutes.

Tyler Ulis – 9.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, and 50.9 FG% in 20.4 mpg

Tyler Ulis has become an instant sensation because of his recent gutsy play against Isaiah Thomas, and his heroics to win the game against the Celtics. The Suns have incorporated Ulis more into their rotation recently and they have not regretted it. Ulis is second in assists for the Suns since the All-Star break. The undersized Point Guard has proven that his height does not make him a liability, and has proven that he can shine when his team needs him most.

NOTE: Brandon Knight has yet to see playing time after the All-Star break, and it seems that this will hold for the remainder of the season. The 5th-year guard is averaging career-lows in multiple categories already but will now probably not see the floor again the rest of the season as all other guards see extended playing time as management plans for the future without him. The Suns are likely to trade Knight before the start of next season.

More from Valley of the Suns

Ronnie Price, who has rarely played all season, has even seen more playing time than Brandon Knight since NBA All-Star Weekend – although not much. The veteran does come off the bench on occasion, but only in the waning moments. Price has played a total of three minutes and logged one steal since the break, so it would be hard to gauge how he has done.

Overall, I believe that the Suns are really deep in the backcourt and the future is bright in the Valley of the Suns. If the team can maintain its core and continue to develop these young guards, the Phoenix Suns backcourt will be a force to reckon with in the NBA for many years to come.

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