Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Three reasons to be glad the Suns’ season is finally over

By Assane Drame

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 24: Tyler Ulis #8 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns look on from the bench during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 116-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 24: Tyler Ulis #8 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns look on from the bench during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 24, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 116-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 13: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball under pressure from Dragan Bender #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 13: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball under pressure from Dragan Bender #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Woeful Defending

Whether you prefer to look at the game from an eye test perspective, numbers perspective, or both, every outlet will tell you the same thing about the Suns defensive.

Sad!

The numbers will tell you that the Suns finished this season dead last in opponents PPG and defensive rating.

Phoenix also finished fifth worst in allowed 3P%, sixth worst in overall FG%, and fourth worst in forced turnovers per game.

And this is before getting into eFG%, DRB%, and TOV%. The Suns finished in seventh, third, and ninth worst respectively in each category.

So, the eye test part of the story? See for yourself.

Exhibit A against the Rockets where the thought of the Suns giving up 200 points was not out of the question.

Exhibit B against the Celtics. Even though Marcus Smart is not that great of a shooter, is there even a thought of a closeout?

A lot of what you see is the result of unawareness, missed rotations, lack of urgency, not enough vertical or lateral quickness, poor pick & role defending, and/or discipline.

Watching these clips has me convinced that the entire Valley of the Suns staff could score off the Suns.

The Suns lost both of those games if you were wondering.

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