Phoenix Suns: Top Graded Players After First Week of 2021-22
This group features one guy who already looks likely to surpass his expectations for the season, as well as another player simply continuing his greatness. They stand on their own tier, well above their other teammates.
Mikal Bridges: A
Anyone calling the Mikal Bridges extension too expensive at this point might want to take a few steps back and reassess. During Phoenix’s first three games, Bridges played like a true NBA star, effecting the game at each floor’s end.
Through his first three games, Bridges picked up right where he left off as a premier 3-point shooter, and then built on it even more, at this point shooting at a 53.3 percent clip. His scoring right now also sits at 17.0 points per game, representing a second consecutive four-point jump between seasons, fully illustrating his rapid growth.
Also growing as a defender, Bridges badgered all-time great LeBron James during Phoenix’s contest with the Lakers, leading to the Suns only win so far this season. With exception to a few missed free throws, his game looks flawless right now, presenting him with to a near perfect score.
Devin Booker: A-
By Devin Booker’s standards, his numbers look slightly disappointing. However, those standards involve near-MVP level contributions, so take that with a grain of salt.
Booker still leads the Suns within the scoring department, averaging 18.3 points per game, and looks committed to rounding himself out a bit more as a player, averaging 4.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Right now, Booker must to increase his efficiency first and foremost. Owning .396/.333/.875 shooting splits, his issues from last year with long range shooting unfortunately look alive and well. Also looking a bit slow off the ball as a defender, Booker needs to clean a few things up to jump back on top.