Advanced stats say the Phoenix Suns lack the hustle

Screen Assists

Every player loves a wide open look at the rim. Screen assists allow them to do this, as they create space for a shooter. Pick and roll, pick and pop, back screen to create an open shot for a teammate…it takes some effort and a good, solid screen to make this happen.

The Phoenix Suns are 22nd in the league in screen assists per game (8.2), and 24th in screen assisted points per game (18.4).  That’s right, for the team that scores the 7th most points per game (113.9), only 16% of their total points come from screen assists.

This number has seen an increase since the return of Deandre Ayton. He leads the team with 4.1 screen assists per game that led to 8.6 screen assisted points.

I expect better.

If Ayton wants to be a dominate big, he needs to set his team up for easier shots. Defenses will begin to collapse on the shooters, which would lead to an open rolling Ayton in the paint. Getting him the ball via an effective entry pass is another story.