The Phoenix Suns have been splendid this season. Making the playoffs for the first time since 2010, the Suns find themselves in a playoff spot. However, there is one weakness that stands out.
The Phoenix Suns lack in size apart from Deandre Ayton. The other Suns’ big men are Dario Saric and Frank Kaminsky. While the pair do add shooting from the center and power forward position, they are slow on defense. Having mismatch issues, it will be interesting to see which defensive schemes Monty Williams tries. Or if there is simply nothing the Suns can do.
Fans should be concerned if the Suns play the Los Angeles Lakers. There will be no answer for Anthony Davis. Davis is too quick for Ayton. Saric and Kaminsky are not big enough to deal with the physicality and length of Davis. Dealing with the overall physicality of the Lakers will be difficult with the lack of depth in good big men.
Another name that is worrisome is Nikola Jokic. After averaging four personal fouls per game against the Denver Nuggets this season, Ayton will have issues. Not having another reliable big man to guard Jokic will hurt. It will force Ayton to play conservatively; if he fouls out, the game is as good as done. Leaving Kaminsky and Saric would be hopeless against Jokic.
Phoenix Suns’ Jae Crowder does not have the tools to guard great big men.
Standing at 6 feet 6, Jae Crowder may not receive as many minutes when playing a bigger team. Crowder could come off the bench as he did on April 19 against the Milwaukee Bucks to deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s size.
Where this becomes worrisome is down the stretch of games. LeBron James and Jokic are two of the smartest players in the NBA. Creating and exposing mismatches against the Suns will be easy for those two.
This weakness could be what sends the Suns home. But, this weakness will not hurt the Suns against other teams due to matchups. If the Suns somehow manage to avoid the Lakers and the Nuggets, they could be finals bound.