Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Midseason report card with second half expectations

By Adam Maynes

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton /
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Do not confuse these grades with a connection to their skills, but rather specifically to what they have accomplished this season thus far. For the younger players, how they have developed; for the veterans, how they have performed in sometimes limited minutes.

Jay Triano and Staff

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Head coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns applauds from the sideline during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Head coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns applauds from the sideline during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

When Jay Triano took over as head coach three games into the season, the team immediately appeared to get a boost by his presence winning four out of five and reaching .500 for the first time in two seasons.

It hasn’t been quite such smooth sailing since, but while their record isn’t anything to be proud of (they are currently 18-41), plenty of individual players do appear to have taken positive strides this season, improving throughout the year. The team’s offense is no longer so isolation-based which coupled with much more movement of the ball is all part of what happens to be a resurgent process, even if the final scores are still not where fans would like them to be.

I’m not sure if Traino is the future at head coach, however he has stated several times recently that he would like to be. Regardless, Ryan McDonough needs to do a thorough search for the team’s next full-time head coach, whether it be Triano or someone else, and make sure that, especially based on who all is on the roster, the next leader is the one to take the Suns to the next level.

Grade: C+

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