Five Way Too Early Predictions About the Suns in 2017-18
By Adam Maynes
The Suns’ Scoring Average will jump 2 points per game, while their defensive average allowed will drop by 8 flipping the season averages from 107.g – 113.3, to 109.g – 105.3.
Again dependant on who they acquire will factor into it, but would it really take much? I mean 113.3 points per game allowed is ridiculous and was the most the franchise had allowed since 1986-87 as well as the fourth worst in team history. Could this possibly continue?
No it can’t. It can only get better and it would not take that much of an improvement of the roster to do so.
Becoming a more well-rounded team alone will be enough to shift their offensive and defensive scoring averages, and not benching or trading key starters mid-season with no intended replacements, as well as jettisoning the most unproductive players on their roster over the summer will help significantly. A starting lineup too of more seasoned players and not aiming for the youngest lineups in NBA history will also help to improve such statistical output. In fact, the 2015-16 Suns, arguably a far worse team than the 2016-17 team, only allowed 107.5 points per game, just two points above where they should finish this upcoming season.
Offensively adding 2 points per game and reaching about 109 should not be too difficult either with a more consistent up-tempo game, and with any luck, a slightly better shooting percentage than their 45.0% from this past season. Additional Devin Booker’s production as well as not playing three 19-year-olds every game should all equal out to an uptick of offensive production, meaning an easy opportunity at a two-point jump in scoring average.