Phoenix Suns: 3 Key Players that Will Make or Break the 2021-22 Season

Phoenix Suns Make or Break Players for 2021-22: Mikal Bridges

Rapid improvements from several young players catapulted the Suns to the NBA Finals last year, and if they want to do so again, those players need to continue their upsurges—especially Mikal Bridges.

During Phoenix’s 2020-21 campaign, Bridges increased his scoring by 4.4 points per game, taking a significantly larger leap than the one between his rookie and sophomore year. But with Chris Paul’s digression as a scorer, Bridges needs to begin putting the ball through the net even more often during the upcoming season.

Last year, Paul averaged just 16.4 points per game, his lowest tally since his 2010-11 campaign. With the coming season set to distance CP3 from his prime years even more so, his scoring numbers likely continue to drop during it, leaving the Suns searching for a third, or possibly second scorer depending on how Ayton develops.

Putting up the highest true shooting percentage amongst all Suns last year, Bridges certainly possesses the skills to fill that role effectively. He just needs to recognize, and then rise to this occasion, which grows more pressing each day as Paul continues to age.