Phoenix Suns: 3 Takeaways From Opening Night Loss to Denver Nuggets

Landry Shamet is Here to Make a Difference with the Phoenix Suns

Oddly enough, Phoenix’s best shooting numbers last night came by way of a player least acquainted to the team. Locking in with his new squad, Landry Shamet went 4-5 from the field, and 3-3 from beyond the arc during his Suns debut.

Moving off-ball like a tiger stalking his prey, Shamet hunted for good looks all night along the wing, frequently finding success. He even with finished with his team’s highest plus/minus rating, undoubtedly making his presence known.

More importantly though, Shamet illustrated some tough defense during this contest, making a clear effort to improve his game’s weakest component.

During one sequence at the defensive end, he switched onto Jokic. The Serbian big backed him down along the baseline, but Shamet held his ground, rising up with him and forcing a miss. He also worked around the glass, finishing with three boards despite playing just 19 minutes.

Maintaining his talents as a shooter, while cultivating new ones as a defender, Shamet established himself as an effective cog to work within the Phoenix basketball machine.