Phoenix Suns: Grades for Each Player After First Week of 2021-22 Season
Phoenix Suns: Worst Graded Players After First Week of 2021-22
Off to a slow start, these players need to improve during Phoenix’s next few games more than anyone. The Suns play the lowly Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers during their next two contests, so hopefully they take advantage and turn things around.
Jae Crowder: C-
Jae Crowder‘s ability to hit from range remains his greatest asset as an NBA player. But having shot just 2-15 from deep to start the year, he looks like a lost dog right now.
Even as an off-ball player, Crowder also averaged 1.3 turnovers per game through these first three games. That more likely corrects itself as the season progresses, but at this point, Crowder undoubtedly feels like a detriment to this team. Only his solid defense along the wing keeps from away from a more troubling grade.
Chandler Hutchison: C-
Having played only six minutes during Phoenix’s game vs Portland, not much exists to say about Chandler Hutchison. However, what does exist falls on the negative end of the spectrum. Although he scored one bucket, he also turned the ball over twice. That hurst, especially for a player just trying to stay on the roster.
Abdel Nader: C-
Even though he barely played last year, Abdel Nader put up solid 3-point shooting numbers, making him a dark horse candidate to help out the Suns this year. But through is first three games, he seemed to digress. Going 1-5 from the deep, Nader looks far off from his 41.9 3-point percent-shooting self from a year ago.
Cameron Payne: D+
Cameron Payne sat out during Phoenix’s most recent game, but his first two really made fans want to look away. After putting up the team’s best 3-point percentage last year, he has gone just 1-6 from deep, collectively going 4-14 from the field.
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As the team’s backup point guard, the Suns need Payne to protect the rock as well, which he has failed to accomplish. With four turnovers through his two games, he averages the most giveaways per 100 possessions on the team right now. Although via a small sample size Payne, also owns a lackluster 62.5 free throw percentage so far this season. He needs to improve seemingly across all fronts.