Valley of the Suns
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Ranking every Phoenix Suns player in loss to the Portland Trail Blazers

By Peter O'Keefe

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 21: Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 21, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 21: Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 21, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul guarding Anfernee Simons. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul guarding Anfernee Simons. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns player rankings in Friday night’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers (4-7).

7. Cameron Payne

A less encouraging performance than what he dished up against Dallas, playing nearly 17 minutes for five points, two rebounds and an assist. Payne still needs to certify his position as the backup point-guard, even if there’s little in the way of alternatives on the current roster. The play of he and even Chris Paul to an extent is putting an enormous workload on Booker.

6. Jock Landale

Six points and four rebounds for the Australian, continuing his role as the Suns backup center. There’s still development and a learning curve to be made, because there’s a stark contrast between having him and Ayton on the floor at the moment (unsurprising given the comparative contracts). Landale’s shooting 40% from the field through two games, a mark that needs to get above 50% despite his perimeter shooting capacity.

5. Chris Paul

The expectations for Paul are skewed a little given the Suns current roster. Put simply, he’s just not a player you can expect 15-20 points from anymore — that’s fine if Phoenix have a third genuine scorer outside Booker and Ayton, but unfortunately that’s not their makeup currently.

2020-21 was Paul’s lowest scoring season to date, and it looks like his output will reduce more this season. He can still run an offense and dial up assists at will, displayed through his average of 10.5 dimes through two games. Could he average more assists than points this season?

4. Damion Lee

Has all of a sudden emerged as the Suns sixth man, helped by Johnson’s injury issues in the first two games. Still unsure if he’s actually made for the role, but he’s proving himself reliable at the very least. Nearly 31 minutes for eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while also being +3 on the floor. You can tell he’s played in the Golden State system — knows how to play within a team offense, not a great individual defender but can work in a defensive construct.

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