Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five team improvements heading into Training Camp

By Matthew Daniels

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Dragan Bender
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Dragan Bender /
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3. Defense

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 3: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game on December 3, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 3: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns plays defense against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game on December 3, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defense wins championships, and with the 28th ranked defense, the Phoenix Suns are far from a ring. When teams played against Phoenix, it was almost a given that they were going to be able to light up the scoreboard. It is very easy to understand how the Suns’ record was so low when they, on average, could not score more points than they gave up.

Defense Defense Defense

Aside from Eric Bledsoe and fourth overall pick Josh Jackson, there are no defensive standouts on the roster. Two players cannot play all the team’s defense as it requires a team effort. When you look at a team like San Antonio, every player on the floor takes defense just as serious as offense. With a 28th rank defense there will be no improvement to the team. The Suns could score 300 points against the Lakers but, if the Lakers score 301 points it does not matter.

The Fix

With intensive training, a defensive mindset can be formed, leading to much better defensive performances team-wide. Even a slight boost in work on defensive technique and aggressiveness would lead to a much higher defensive rating, and in turn, more wins.

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