Phoenix Suns: Ranking Each Player on Defense for the 2021-22 Season

Especially at the NBA level, the defensive arts never seem to attain the high praise which they whole heartedly deserve. Infatuated with the difference between “hoopers” and “basketball players,” rather than hard-nosed ball stoppers, fans struggle to appreciate this more gritty side of the game.

It feels like a true shame, especially for a team like the Phoenix Suns, built to bother their opponents at the defensive end as good as anyone right now. Last year, Phoenix allowed the seventh fewest opponent points per game, which allowed them to put up the sixth best overall defensive rating.

The 2021-22 Suns greatly reflect that team which frustrated its opponents extensively, with almost all its players set to return. Coming into the mix, a few other pieces hopped on board this offseason as well, certain to assist the team in its defensive prowess.

The Suns indeed lost Jevon Carter this summer, who despite averaging just 3.1 minutes per game during the postseason, still applied regular season relief off the bench as a pesky defender at the top of the key. Torrey Craig comes as the other notable subtraction, who served well at the defensive end as a wing stopper or occasional small-ball center.

But with Monty Williams at the helm, we fully expect Phoenix’s additions to pick up what those guys left behind, and help put together a tough unit at the floor’s other end. With those players considered, as well as the main cast coming back from last year, defensive rankings for the entire 2021-22 Suns team go as follows.

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: Top Tier

#1 Mikal Bridges

Last year, Mikal Bridges finished as the odd man out when everyone voted for the NBA’s All-Defensive team. But with another season now under his belt and as someone coming into his prime from an athletic standpoint, he likely attains that honor this coming year.

With speed, an extensive wingspan, and a high game IQ, Bridges carries all the necessary tools to defend at an elite level. He might not reach it this coming season, but a Defensive Player of the Year Award certainly lies within his grasp. At the very least though, he still headlines this Phoenix team as its best defender.

#2 Chris Paul

As a seasoned veteran, Chris Paul resembles a savvy player eager to make things tough on all who oppose him. Last year, he finished with most defensive win shares for the Suns and averaged 1.4 steals per game—the 16th most across the entire league.

But aside from the stats, Paul’s presence as a defender cannot go overstated. He essentially captains things for the Suns, knowing exactly where he and his teammates need to be at all times. Take him away, and the entire ship just might go down.

#3 Jae Crowder

Although undersized, Jae Crowder‘s muscle and athleticism still make him a mean defender at the power forward spot.  With experience guarding LeBron James and Kevin Durant, he knows all the tricks which the game’s best scorers carry into battle.

Last year, Crowder finished right behind Paul with the team’s second most defensive win shares. No Suns player forced their opponents into a lower field goal percentage than him, and he also put up the team’s highest overall defensive rating among starters. At 31 years old, expect him to stay lethal during the 2021-22 season.

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: Second Tier

#4 Cameron Johnson

With rare quickness and size, Cameron Johnson joins Bridges and Crowder to complete this trio of astute wing defenders. With a larger sample size, he might climb into this list’s top tier, but for now, sits slightly behind Crowder and company.

Nonetheless, Johnson posted the highest defensive rating by any Sun averaging more than 20.0 minutes per game last season. He also finished with the fourth most defensive win shares despite coming off the bench. If Johnson finds his way into the starting lineup for whatever reason next year, then he owns a solid chance blossom into what Bridges already embodies.

#5 Deandre Ayton

As an anchor down low for the Suns, Ayton stands as Phoenix’s most irreplaceable player. Only Ayton’s lacking discipline keeps him off this list’s top tier, with the Milwaukee Bucks exposing him by pushing him into foul trouble during the Finals last year.

But when judging Ayton purely on his defensive talent and physical tools, he stacks up well even against all-league defenders like Bridges, Paul, and Crowder. Last year, he averaged 1.2 blocks per game, and also finished with a 23.6 rebounding percentage, the 14th highest across the entire league. Make no mistake about it, wants to invade this guy’s paint. .

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: Third Tier

#6 Devin Booker

As a more one dimensional player, some notable space stands between Devin Booker and Ayton/Johnson. But last year, Booker still showed that when he focuses on defense, he wields the potential to give his matchups serious trouble.

Fueled by his drive to win, Booker never turns away from a defensive challenge, which is more than can be said for other offensive-minded players like Trae Young. As he looks to chase MVP consideration next year, keep an eye out for Booker to potentially round out this rocky area of his game.

#7 JaVale McGee

Still with an incredible nine-foot-six standing reach and superb leaping abilities, JaVale McGee remains a notable defensive presence at the rim. He averaged 1.2 blocks per game last year between his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.

Also averaging 5.2 rebounds per game, McGee crashed the class better than every Sun last year except Ayton. He likely carves out a nice role for himself as a backup big, and comes through with a couple highlight reel swats throughout the season as well.

#8 Abdel Nader

Even though Abdel Nader hardly played last year, his small sample size still warrants encouragement for the 2021-22 season. He registered the fourth most blocks per game on the team, and held his opponents to the fourth lowest field goal percentage on the team. If you want to bet on a “dark horse” player to emerge as a strong contributor with the Suns this year, throw the house on Nader.

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: Bottom Tier

#9 Cameron Payne

A guy who plays hard both with and without the ball, Cameron Payne embodies a serviceable defender, able to hold his own in spurts. However, he averaged the same amount of steals per game last year as Dario Saric and Deandre Ayton, which feels less than desired for a point guard.

Although he neglects to resemble a liability on defense, he does nothing all too special. But as someone who made large strides with his game from general standpoint last year, maybe he targets improved defense as his next mountain to climb this season.

#10 Jalen Smith

Jalen Smith barely played last year, so his defensive abilities remain relatively unknown. He does possess all the tools though to operate as another solid paint protecter. During the NBA’s Summer League, he led the entire tournament with 12.5 rebounds per game, which deserves some consideration.

#11 Landry Shamet

Like Booker, Shamet comes to this team as a one dimensional player. However, his quick hands warrant some defensive consideration, which led to an occasion steal or tipped pass each game for the Nets last year. Other than though, he lacks the right tools to work as an everyday defender, weighing just 190 pounds and without much on-ball discipline.

#12 Elfrid Payton

Elfird Payton returns to the Suns primarily to filly Jevon Carter’s role. He ran the point for arguably the game’s best defensive team last year. However, he surrendered the highest opponent field goal percentage on that team. A mixed bag nonetheless, hopefully Payton brings what he learned, rather than what he ended up doing on the court last year to Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: The Basement Tier

#13 Chandler Hutchison

Stretching out to six-foot-six with decent speed, Chandler Hutchison might develop into an adequate defender under Monty Williams. But for now, he resembles a bench warmer for this team, without much experience to lean on as well.

#14 Frank Kaminsky

Stepping up for the injured Dario Saric last year during the NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks absolutely abused Frank Kaminsky down low. To be fair, he often guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains a tall task for anyone.

But regardless, Kaminsky failed to bother him even minimally, and experienced similar struggles when going up against other bigs in the past as well. Being a veteran with the team, only his greater understanding of how Phoenix runs their defense saves him from this list’s final spot.

#15 Chasson Randle

Putting a cap onto these rankings, Chasson Randle provides very little to speak about. He might force a few turnovers during garbage time minutes, having averaged at least one steal per 100 possessions each of his four NBA seasons.

But ultimately, he owns very little experience playing big time minutes, and therefore cannot be trusted.