Valley of the Suns
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Suns player preview: Bol Bol can be the perfect role player

By Justin Lee

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket while Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on February 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 127-120. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket while Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on February 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 127-120. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Bol Bol is a player that everyone is in awe of whenever he does anything. Coming into the draft, while he was hurt, he was one of those “unicorn” guys that intrigued everyone. However, his size, paired with his injury history, got his career off to a slow start.

Now, he is coming off of a career year after playing for the Orlando Magic. Bol Bol averaged 9.1. points per game and 3.8 rebounds with the Orlando Magic in 70 games played. That’s great for a role player, but things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows with Bol Bol.

He has some weaknesses, too.

Weaknesses

The 7’2″ wing tends to think he is a point guard at times, but one who doesn’t pass a whole lot. In other words, he loves to take up possessions with a lot of dribbling, using isolation to try and score. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but in a Frank Vogel offense with the guys that are on this roster, the Suns don’t need that from him.

In fact, I think they would rather him not do that at all. If he is ever on the court with Beal, Durant, or Booker simultaneously, going iso and wasting a possession will be the last thing the Suns want. And he may very well do that, too. He did it in Orlando quite a bit, but there, they didn’t always have a go-to scorer, let alone three guys like the Suns do.

Bol’s handle is fine for his size. But he can get sloppy, and his long wingspan does leave the ball in the defender’s face sometimes, ready to be stolen. That’s another reason why the Suns will want to limit him doing that at times. He also has a tendency to grab a rebound and try to go all the way, which the Suns don’t need. Get the rebound hit the outlet pass.

Defensively, Bol has some issues, even though his defense is pretty good overall. As we stated before, Bol should not be used as a big man when playing defense because his frame puts him at a huge disadvantage. In other words, you do not want him as the guy you have guarding Giannis under the basket or driving to the rim because he will get bullied.

We stated that he is better as a post defender when playing behind his matchup because of the length, but that is also because he gets bullied when he is being posted up. He does not have a ton of muscle or mass on him, which often puts him at a disadvantage.

The Suns found a guy they think can be a perfect role player. And, based on everything we have seen from this guy, he can.

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