Valley of the Suns
Fansided

A look back at the year of terrible Phoenix Suns PG play

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Travis Trice #0 of the Brisbane Bullets during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 - OCTOBER 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Travis Trice #0 of the Brisbane Bullets during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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) /
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In one of the most difficult seasons in Phoenix Suns history, the situation which was the most burdensome to deal with was the constant turnover at point guard.

ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 24: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on March 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 24: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic on March 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

When the regular season kicked off in October, the Phoenix Suns had a good starting point guard. One might have even called Eric Bledsoe a star. Statistically similar to players like Kyrie Irving and Kyle Lowry, Bledsoe had been the best point guard the Suns had had since Steve Nash, and was General Manager Ryan McDonough’s greatest trade acquisition – made even better with the re-acquisition of Jared Dudley in 2016 who at the time of the original trade was the best player sent to the Los Angeles Clippers for Bled.

But after only three games, in a moment of extraordinary passive aggressive immaturity, Bledsoe demanded a trade out of Phoenix, to which McDonough begrudgingly obliged.

Little did anyone know with that tweet, however, that Bledsoe would kick off a season-long struggle to fill a position that has historically been one of great strength for the franchise, yet in an instant became the heart of Interim Head Coach Jay Triano’s most rotational unrest.

Seven different players started games at point guard, with another, Josh Grey playing backup for a few games in February, although never earning a single start.

Outside of Devin Booker, it does not appear that the Suns have a player on their roster who could potentially play the starting point guard role by the start of next season. And while I have always been a strong proponent of Booker as the starting PG, the odds of this happening are slim, and as you’ll see soon, his starting point guard stats this season were not all that impressive.

We’ll see what the Suns can do this offseason to solidify the position, whether it being through free agency, trade, or the draft. In the meantime, let’s look back at just how the Suns’ seven starting point guards fared in 2017-18.

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