Phoenix Suns mailbag: spreading our wings

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PHOENIX, AZ – JUNE 22: Draft pick Mikal Bridges poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How will lineups featuring Mikal Bridges, Josh Jackson, and Trevor Ariza fair defensively?

Very well. Jackson and Bridges are both young, so there still could be some frustrating miscues, but overall this is a good look defensively.

All three can lockdown the perimeter, get into passing lanes, and make plays that allow the team to get out on the break. Not only would this help to hide Devin Booker on that end, it would allow the team to have ultimate versatility. If Deandre Ayton gets pulled out to the perimeter, neither of these three are doomed down low.

Where this lineup presents the most difficulty is offensively. They can still get buckets in transition, and they’d look great with a Steve Kerr style no dribble offense. Unfortunately, they’ll struggle badly in the half court.

If Booker runs the point in this lineup, he’ll be playing out of position, and since none of these guys excel at creating their own shot, playmaking responsibilities would fall on Booker, who hasn’t shown much in that department so far.

If a true point guard like Brandon Knight or Elie Okobo played, they wouldn’t do as much to scare the defense as Booker could. Without help defenders creeping in, three point shooters can’t be maximized. Because of this, playing inside-out through Ayton would be a possibility,

But back to the original question, the three would be a great defensive group. Athletic wings can generally guard any position except center, so switches would be effortless, and length and energy would be abundant.

The biggest issue defensively may actually stem from the offense. Turnovers from young guys who aren’t great ball handlers and runouts off long misses can all lead to fast break opportunities at the other end.

We should expect to see all three together occasionally this season, especially when the situation calls for sending extra pressure on defense or getting the three point shot going on offense.

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