While chances are slim, the Phoenix Suns can offer a legitimate argument on fighting for a playoff spot. For this to happen though, the team must make great strides on defense.
Last season the Phoenix Suns were awful. With one of the worst offenses and defenses in the league, it should sound crazy to consider a team that bad, without a big free agent signing, to entertain the possibility of the playoffs.
Yet, if healthy, there is no way the team does not make strides in the right direction.
Deandre Ayton provides Phoenix with a dominant interior presence for the first time in years. The shooting of Brandon Knight, Mikal Bridges, Trevor Ariza, Troy Daniels, and others should space the floor well in Head Coach Igor Kokoskov’s new offense.
Most importantly, the team has star guard Devin Booker to carry the load. After spending last season with no supporting cast and the injury bug, Booker is ready to lead this team with a potentially scary offense. This should be expected after signing his new extension, and he has shown no signs of slowing down as he looks to establish himself as a true offensive superstar.
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The question marks lay defensively, where young teams often struggle. The Suns finished the 2017-18 season with the worst defensive rating in the league, so improvement in this field should be the teams primary focus.
But how much improvement can be expected?
Through free agency, the draft, and internal improvement, the Phoenix Suns can become a vastly improved defensive team. This started when drafting Bridges who was regarded as one of the best team defenders in the country with Villanova. He offers a similar package to Ariza, who is bringing experience to the team and boosts their arsenal.
When they match up next to Josh Jackson, the Phoenix Suns can roll out a switch heavy, athletic trio perfect for the modern NBA. Providing Booker with more than capable defenders will limit his own defensive deficiencies and allow him to save his energy for his offense.
The Suns have quietly stocked up on some solid team defenders to fill out the bench as well. Shaquille Harrison more than earned a spot on the team with a high motor capable of taking on the challenge of defending any opposing guard.
Davon Reed is relatively unknown after being injured the majority of last season, and will catch people by surprise. He and Daniels offer 3-D potential at the two guard spot that along with Harrison can limit penetration from opposing teams.
Having these pieces that can limit penetration will largely impact Ayton’s defense as well. With his physical tools, a one-on-one matchup in the post would not be any team’s first choice on offense. Defensive deficiencies are definitely prevalent but as an engaged defender, he is largely underappreciated.
His weakness come on team defense, often a step slow on rotations and picking up penetration from the wing. In Summer League and at the University of Arizona, Ayton failed to contest players driving to the basket and his lack of energy and awareness on that side of the court was exploited.
The best way to minimize this is by minimizing penetration. Harrison, Reed, Daniels, Bridges, and Jackson do just that.
Phoenix is not without any frontcourt help either, with Tyson Chandler and Ariza available. Even Dragan Bender, who can become invisible on offense at times, is very versatile for his size and projects as a plus defender.
If you’re keeping count, that means that over half of the expected rotation should be viewed as plus defenders this upcoming season.
The goal for the Phoenix Suns’ organization and coaching staff should be to offer as much help as possible defensively to Booker and Ayton, as they carry the offensive load for the team, hopefully with help from a healthy Brandon Knight and smarter Jackson.
Booker and Ayton provide offensive cornerstones capable of carrying the team on any given night. They have been surrounded by shooters, slashers, and playmakers, players who can hopefully compliment the team and offensive scheme perfectly.
Give credit to the front office for finding players that can match the offense so well while providing the potential for a scary defense.
The Phoenix Suns have not made the playoffs in almost a decade, but they are set up to re-establish themselves as a consistent playoff threat in the near future. To even have the chance for that to start this year, the coaching staff must put an emphasis on defensive improvement throughout the entire season.
The pieces are there, now it’s time to see if the team can put it all together.