Phoenix Suns: 3 Players that Could Still Heat Up this Postseason

Having successfully buried the Denver Nuggets along with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns look like an unstoppable freight train with the NBA Finals as an increasingly likely destination, now barreling into the postseason’s next stage. Although their Western Conference Finals opponent still remains undecided, neither the Los Angeles Clipper nor the Utah Jazz seem properly equipped to derail the Suns at this point, who own the best record so far during these playoffs at 8-2.

Fuelled primarily by a historic start for Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton’s rapid improvement, and Chris Paul’s revitalization, Phoenix’s stars look locked and loaded, coming as a notable delight for their fans as well. But although it might seem difficult to imagine the Suns reaching an even higher peak with their play right now, the opportunity to do so still exists nonetheless.

Behind every great team, you find two or three superstars. But behind those stars, quality role players remain necessary as well. The Golden State Warriors built their dynasty around Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and later Kevin Durant, but relied heavily on players such as Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston as well. The same goes for LeBron James’s “Heatles” with players like Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers working behind them.

Phoenix’s roster runs deeper than most, riddled with players able to turn things up at any moment. Perhaps the team’s general success stands responsible for their marginal impact on this postseason run thus far, with most contests failing to require extra efforts from the Suns. Although coming as the more negative approach, an inability to step up and make the most of each moment might have been a restraint as well.

Regardless, the Suns still carry several players into this next series with true breakout potential. If things become more difficult for Phoenix down the road, expect these three players to heat up and help out the team.

Phoenix Suns Who Could Still Heat Up this Postseason: Cameron Johnson

During the regular season, Cameron Johnson operated under a “sixth man” role for the Suns, doing so very well, and even starting a few games. Averaging 24.0 minutes each game, he contributed with 9.6 points, 1.4 assists, and 2.0 3-pointers made per contest. Although not the most striking numbers, they still warrant acknowledgment and appreciation especially for a second-year player.

But with teammate Cameron Payne’s emergence this postseason, Johnson now averages only 18.8 minutes and 6.7 points per game, working now as the second, rather than first man off Phoenix’s bench. This shuffle made by head coach Monty Williams obviously served the Suns well, as they decisively swept MVP Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets most recently. However, casting Johnson entirely wayside still feels incredibly foolish given his potential.

Johnson’s best stretch this season came during early April, where he averaged 12.0 points while shooting 54.7 percent from the field, and 50.0 percent from 3-point territory. That period included games against both the Clippers and Jazz.

Johnson continued some modest play during the following weeks and into the postseason’s first round, but again failed to build any real momentum for himself. Contrarily, fellow swingman Jae Crowder upgraded his play, averaging 14.7 points per game during Phoenix’s final three contests against Los Angeles.

During the Conference Semifinals though, Johnson began trending upward once more. Although playing less minutes than the series before with Crowder maintaining his pace from the first round, he still improved his field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio.

Who knows what curveballs the next round might throw Phoenix’s way, but Johnson’s elevated efficiency and previous success this season make him worth following as things progress. It might even take a bit longer, but watch out for Johnson to emerge at some point during the coming weeks.

Phoenix Suns Who Could Still Heat Up this Postseason: Torrey Craig

Torrey Craig proved himself useful both on and off the court for the Suns while disassembling the Nuggets, providing inside analysis pertaining to his former team, while also averaging 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He too continued his impressive defense as well, even collecting two blocked shots during Game 1.

But as a bench player only averaging 11.8 minutes per contest, Craig’s overall playoffs thus far leave a lot still to be desired. Shooting 60.0 percent from beyond the arc during his team’s previous series, Craig surely illustrated his ability to let it fly from deep, and consequently put up points with ease.

Additionally, Craig made Phoenix Suns Arena go nuclear after soaring to the rim to complete an alley-oop dunk during Game 1. With the former Nugget pairing this thrilling athleticism with his hot shooting from outside, he already seems like a tough matchup for the far less agile Bojan Bogdanovic, likely to play forward again for the Jazz if they manage to advance.

Almost more importantly though, Craig carries a certain grit with his play, a factor which the Suns seem to thrive on as team less accustomed to the playoffs, but still surging nonetheless. Two seasons ago, Craig returned to the floor during a playoff matchup after breaking his nose, of course sporting a mask, but likely still dealing with some pain.

If any games during the next round get chippy for any reason, or the Suns need a spark, keep an eye out for Craig. His experience, skillset, and toughness are too valuable to keep withdrawn for much longer.

Phoenix Suns Who Could Still Heat Up this Postseason: Dario Saric

Dario Saric stepped up huge for Phoenix after Ayton gathered two quick fouls to start Game 2 against the Nuggets, leaving Coach Williams with no choice but to send out Saric against Jokic far earlier than either parties anticipated. Saric rose to the occasion though with eight points and four rebounds, while gong 2-3 from deep.

But that performance only illustrated a fraction of his capabilities off the bench. As perhaps the team’s streakiest player during the regular season, Saric always stepped onto the hardwood as a threat to make things happen, yet also as a potential liability. For argument’s sake though, we’ll stay on the positive side.

His ability to shoot from outside or at least draw out a defender comes as Saric’s most notable attribute over Ayton, allowing him to help the Suns stretch the floor. This advantage provided by the Croatian big man helps the entire team pull defenses apart, only making things that much easier for assist-guru Chris Paul to either find him, or other teammates for easy shots.

For this to occur though, Saric simply needs more minutes, but with Ayton playing his best basketball right now, forcing him into the game more often feels idiotic. However, Ayton’s massive workload thus far might lead to more playing time for Saric, just working like a relief pitcher rather than an unnecessary starter.

Ayton currently averages the most minutes by a center so far these playoffs at 35.1 per game. Although Ayton’s youth makes this a less troublesome factor, it still might influence him during any future games, with such a pace likely to become only that much more difficult to maintain as things progress.

If a role such as this indeed presents itself and Saric buys into it with efficient, team-oriented play, expect him to thrive. When playing big playoff minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers before they traded him away, Saric averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Just like the players mentioned before him, Saric carries great potential as a player, but just needs a few more chips to fall into place to make a larger impact.