Five encouraging signs from the Phoenix Suns’ first loss of the year

Rubio is so freaking savvy

The excitement around the Ricky Rubio signing has been palpable all off-season for the Suns. However, plays like the one he made at the end of regulation are one of the many reasons Suns fans should be encouraged going forward.

One of the most hotly-contested coaching strategies out there is whether or not to foul when up three in the final seconds of the game when your opponent has the ball. Analytics say the right move is to foul because making one free throw and then missing the second in hopes your team gets the rebound and put-back is a tall task.

The problem with that is analytics don’t take into account Ricky Rubio.

Knowing this would likely be the Nuggets’ strategy, the savvy veteran hoisted up a shot a little earlier than needed because he saw two defenders collapsing on him at mid-court.

It worked.

He got the shooting foul call and then calmly sank all three free throws like a champ. This basketball IQ and end-game headiness should give Suns fans confidence in his decision-making all season long.