Phoenix Suns postseason run: 5 most impactful players

Phoenix Suns postseason push impact players: Jae Crowder

5. Jae Crowder. Talk about a steadying influence. This guy has been there and done that — a few times. He’s not so electric as Kelly Oubre — and certainly not likely to aspire to Oubre’s social media game — but he’s a strong defender with a nice touch on open 3-point attempts.

Through eight games, he’s producing more minutes, points, assists and rebounds than his career averages, while converting 39 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc — a significant improvement on his 34 percent career mark.

During the 2020 regular season, Crowder finished just outside the top 50 in two key defensive metrics (Defensive win shares, 58th; Defensive box plus/minus, 62nd) and stepped up the intensity during the Miami Heat’s playoff run to the NBA Finals. He ranked 18th in DWS while providing a strong complement to Jimmy Butler on offense.

Crowder is only 30 and has the motor to run with his younger Suns teammates. His chemistry with fellow veteran newcomer Chris Paul is already clearly working, illustrated especially by the myriad open looks from long range.

The Suns aren’t currently a top 10 defensive team — and a division leader — by accident. Crowder, who ranks among the league leaders in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (27th) and Defensive Win Shares (34th), is 72nd among the more than 440 NBA players this season in VORP (value over replacement player).

He’s a commodity whose value will rise immeasurably during the 2021 playoffs.

You know, if the Suns break the drought.