Phoenix Suns defense continues to go underrated among GMs
The Phoenix Suns ranked third in defensive rating across 2021-22, but it seems that standing doesn’t resonate with NBA general managers heading into the season.
In the NBA’s general manager survey released on Tuesday, the Suns failed to earn a vote for the league’s best defensive team. While that in itself may not be a major surprise, the inclusion of a couple of other teams may cause aggrievance.
Possessing a young core who should improve their defensive capacity, the Phoenix Suns will be hoping to maintain a top three ranked defense in 2022-23.
Six teams gained a vote among the general managers, led by the Boston Celtics with 69% of the vote. The Celtics Finals conqueror, the Golden State Warriors, finished second with 10%, while the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks each received 7% of the vote. The Celtics, Warriors, Suns and Heat held the top four spots in defensive rating last season, so the inclusion of the Bucks (14th) has to raise some eyebrows.
Milwaukee’s selection has to be an indicator that some general managers prefer individual defensive ability above the overall team system. The Bucks possess Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the most versatile defenders the league has ever seen. On top of the two-time MVP, Jrue Holiday has long been renowned as one of the league’s best point-of-attack perimeter defenders across the past decade.
Even with those two as spearheads, Milwaukee were just an average defensive team last season and ninth in 2020-21. Their defense improved during the playoffs but much of that was due to facing a lacklustre Chicago Bulls offense.
The threat of Antetokounmpo and Holiday makes Milwaukee’s votes understandable to a degree, but there’s no reason the Memphis Grizzlies should have received a vote ahead of the Suns. The Los Angeles Clippers also received one vote, with a clear expectation their defense will increase from an already high level with the return of Kawhi Leonard and a full season from Paul George.
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Phoenix should feel optimistic about retaining a top three defense, with potential individual improvements from a number of core players. Four of their five starters are 26 or under, while Chris Paul’s defense has always been predicated on good hands and a high IQ. Monty Williams also received 7% of the vote for the head coach with the league’s best defensive schemes.