The Phoenix Suns should give Carter all of Okobo’s PG minutes

Opportunity lies ahead for the Phoenix Suns, but there is no more time to tinker and “get a feel” for what lineups work. Monty Williams has a backup to Ricky Rubio, and it’s not Elie Okobo. It’s Jevon “C4” Carter.

It has been interesting watching how Monty approaches the lack of a backup two guard this season. At times you find yourself asking, “Who in the world is on the floor right now? Jerome, Carter, Okobo, Oubre, and Diallo?!” (Fun fact: that lineup occurred once this season for 11 minutes and the Phoenix Suns were a -11).

The debate has occurred frequently throughout the season on how to approach this lineup deficiency. At first, Bridges was the backup SG. But as he has worked hard and earned a right to start for the team, a spell of backup point guards has roamed the backcourt in an effort to get Booker rest.

In a perfect world, Williams always has Booker or Rubio on the court, ensuring a true play-maker is present to run the offense. So who should be the guy he puts in next to Booker? Is it Elie Okobo or Jevon Carter?

On paper, the 2019-2020 NBA season for Elie Okobo and Jevon Carter are mirror images. The second-year guards, drafted just one pick apart in the 2018 NBA Draft, appear to have similar production when looking at their season statistics:

Elie Okobo: 4.0 ppg, 2.1 apg, 35.4 3PT%, 13.2 minutes per game, 107 OFFRTG, 109 DEFRTG
Jevon Carter: 4.3 ppg, 1.4 apg, 42.2 3PT%, 14.3 minutes per game, 103 OFFRTG, 105 DEFRTG

Dig a little deeper, or simply watch three Suns games, and it is clear that Jevon Carter should receive more minutes, more opportunity, and absorb Elie’s playing time. Why? Quite simply, he is the better backup point guard.

A typical point guard is a play-maker and someone who assists his team in providing scoring opportunities. Jevon Carter, whom I affectionately refer to regularly as “C4,” does not fit that mold necessarily. Elie Okobo shows more promise of be the typical point guard, but C4 is more of a change-of-pace guy. He forces the opposition to be uncomfortable.

Take the Toronto Raptors game for instance. Kyle Lowry was having himself a game, flip-flopping all over the court and being the typical annoyance he always is. Enter Jevon. He instantly began pressuring Lowry full court (like he typically does) and forced him into uncomfortable passes that led to turnovers.

Again, the two have similar stats, until you start digging a little deeper. Let’s look at their statistics since January 14 (19 games), the first game after Carter received 5 DNP’s:

Elie Okobo: 2.4 ppg, 2.1 apg, 28.0 3PT%, 16.0 minutes per game, 82 OFFRTG, 115 DEFRTG
Jevon Carter: 5.5 ppg, 1.2 apg, 50.0 3PT%, 15.2 minutes per game, 120 OFFRTG, 114 DEFRTG

Although Elie is supposed to be the more typical point guard, his play has been sporadic. He lacks a true identity as a player. Is he a distributor? His turnover percentage over his last 19 games is 26.3% (Carter is at 9.4%). Is he a scorer? If so, I’m sure Monty is aware that his points per game have dropped.

The issue I have is that Monty still isn’t pulling the right levers. He is nearing the completion of his first season in Phoenix, and he is showing that his still is unsure of how to maximize the effectiveness of the lineup provided to him. He continues to bring Elie in first, which clearly isn’t the best recipe for success for the team.

It is clear that Jevon has earned more minutes. He is tenacious on defense, is highly productive from the 3-point line, and has an identity as a player. When he has been provided an opportunity, he has seized it.

As a fan, watching Carter play is more entertaining. He creates havoc. He creates chaos. Elie shoots rainbows. Carter shoots daggers.

Monty calls his second year guard from West Virgina “The Bulldog”, and rightfully so. Feed him! Reward C4 with minutes.