3 reasons the Phoenix Suns will win the Western Conference
2. A better defensive team
It’s known that defense wins games. Suns fans are well aware of that fact, as Jrue Holiday’s defensive skills were the reason the team lost in the 2021 NBA Finals. But let’s not dwell on the past and focus on what the future holds for this team, which is looking bright.
The hiring of Frank Vogel was an intelligent move from the front office. His defensive strategy has received praise throughout the league, and it’s one of the biggest reasons the Lakers won the title in 2020.
Dating back to his days with the Indiana Pacers, he helped the team anchor an impressive defense. During the five exhibition games, we’ve seen what he can do defensively with the Suns this season.
If we compare them to the Suns of last season, we can see how active the players are on defense. It’s more evident in Booker, who has shown his attentiveness on that end of the floor. His ability to read the other team’s plays has improved, exhibiting his apparent growth as a defender.
Although the team doesn’t boast an elite defender like Marcus Smart or Rudy Gobert, their effort as a team has helped them win four of their five preseason games.
Devin Booker’s third steal plus the perfect pass. pic.twitter.com/gfTZYLAOGk
— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) October 17, 2023
Their improved team defense will be a notable weapon, not just in the regular season but also in the playoffs.