Valley of the Suns
Fansided

With Rubio out, Jevon Carter can prove himself for the Phoenix Suns

By Adam Stratton

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Jevon Carter #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 25, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Jevon Carter #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 25, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jevon Carter will play significant minutes for the Phoenix Suns against the LA Clippers now that Ricky Rubio has been ruled out with a knee contusion. It will be up to him to prove himself in the spotlight.

Ricky Rubio banged his knee in a collision when he picked up this sixth foul in the first minute of the Phoenix Suns’ overtime game against the Denver Nuggets. Suns fans hoped it was just a charlie-horse, but Rubio is officially out for the game against the LA Clippers with a knee contusion.

Considering the Suns went on to lose the game, it makes you wonder if it would have been better had a foul not been called on Rubio’s half-court heave at the end of regulation.

But to use two sports clichés back to back: it is what it is. Next man up.

Ty Jerome has yet to make his NBA debut due to spraining his ankle in practice a few days before the season debut.

That leaves Javon Carter and his mismatched shoes to bear the brunt of the point guard duties against the Clipper and for as long as both Jerome and Rubio are sidelined.

I hope his pregame meal consists of a healthy dose of rocks. He is going to need them.

Carter has been in a battle with Jerome during training camp for the role of backup point guard. Now he finds himself as the starter with no real backup in just the third game of the season.

Time for him to show everyone he deserves to be there.

What is encouraging for the Phoenix Suns is that Carter has played exceedingly well as Rubio’s backup these first few games.

He has picked up full court against the opposing team’s point guard and caused even more disruption with his intense half court defense.

The part, the Suns knew they were getting.

However, it is his shooting that has been the surprise early on. In the first two games, Carter is 5 for 8 from deep and 6 for 11 overall.

If he keeps up his stellar shooting, it will be hard for Head Coach Monty Williams to keep him off the floor once the Phoenix Suns have their full complement of point guards once again.

As much of a bulldog Carter may be, he can’t play 48 minutes. It will be interesting to see if Williams reverts to what the Suns had to do last year, playing a combination of Devin Booker and Tyler Johnson at the point or if he gives youngsters Jalen Lecque or Jared Harper a chance to fill that role.

Next. Five encouraging signs from the Suns first loss. dark

Rubio picked a bad game to get hurt.

The Phoenix Suns face the LA Clippers, the favorite to not only win the Western Conference, but the NBA championship as well, in a second of a back-to-back where the first one went to overtime.

Pass the rocks, Jevon. The whole team will need them.

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