Valley of the Suns
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3 reasons it is now time for the Phoenix Suns to panic

By Luke Duffy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns, who scored a game high 39 points, and Grayson Allen #8 look dejected as they walk off the court in the closing seconds of the game losing to Los Angeles Lakers, 100-95, at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns, who scored a game high 39 points, and Grayson Allen #8 look dejected as they walk off the court in the closing seconds of the game losing to Los Angeles Lakers, 100-95, at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 08: Devin Booker and Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 08: Devin Booker and Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Offensive woes

The Suns’ inability to put up a ton of points in the fourth-quarter of games may also explain their overall offensive woes. They rank 17th in this category (110.9), in what was supposed to be an area of strength for the team.

The plan was to blow opponents away each night, and although Booker’s lack of playing time hasn’t helped in that regard, they have had to lean on the defensive IQ of head coach Frank Vogel just to stay reasonably competitive. Their marginally above league average rating of 111.1 on that end a nice surprise amidst this poor start.

Next. Coach Vogel nails key lineup change for the Suns. dark

Another number that hasn’t helped the franchise’s cause to this point has been the 36.3 percent they have shot as a whole from 3-point range. That might be the 12th best mark in the league, but the Suns added proper sharpshooters in Yuta Watanabe and Grayson Allen, as well as credible threats such as Eric Gordon and Josh Okogie, to be a lot more than that.

If this collection of players could push that number closer to 40 percent, the entire offensive flow of the team would flow a lot better. Instead of looking to Durant when things get hard, the Suns could ride the hot hand from deep. That hasn’t happened enough so far, and until it does, the team are going to trade wins and losses with opponents.

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