The Phoenix Suns are a storied franchise despite never having won a championship, although current cornerstone Devin Booker is in the process of trying to make all franchise records his own personal lists. With Kevin Durant also capable of anything on a basketball court, he too is sneaking into their record books.
There are some numbers however that don't look like they can ever be broken. Such as the frankly insane 54.4 percent Craig Hodges shot from 3-point range back in 1987-88. Then you look a little closer and see that was on 2.5 attempts in only 23 games after coming over in a trade, and you realize why that is likely to stand forever.
Yet there are three records that could fall this season.
In the case of two a lot would have to go right - but for that third one - it is going to fall sooner rather than later. Shout out to Dick Van Arsdale at this point as well, because the 42.4 minutes he played per game all the way back in 1968-69 is a record he is more than welcome to. Imagine subjecting Booker or Durant to that workload now. Shudder.
3. Points per game
The one most likely to fall - and we discussed why here - is points per game. Last season both Booker and Durant managed 27.1 points each night. Impressive that they could split the scoring so evenly, and even more so when you consider that that they now hold the joint-second highest single-season scoring in the history of the franchise.
With that in mind then surely one of the two are going to go one better this season and claim this record for themselves? That would seem likely - and while Booker is the obvious choice and somebody who will surely own this record before long - do not sleep on Durant here.
He's already getting written off elsewhere and approaching 36-years-old shows no signs of slowing down offensively. If anything having a better backup center in Mason Plumlee should hopefully mean Durant spents as much time as he wants at the four, destroying teams with his one-of-one midrange game.
Really though if not this season, Booker will take the crown before long. He already owns five of the top 10 scoring seasons in Suns' history, and he's only entering his 10th year in the league. Imagine once every two campaigns having one of the 10 best scoring seasons in the history of a franchise. Truly amazing.
2. Offensive Rating
This one is going to shock you, both because of how high it is and who currently owns this record. An offensive rating of 131.3 is ludicrous, but that's the score to beat right now. It should also be pointed out that this figure is dependent on teammates too.
A guy like Bradley Beal could sneak onto this list for example, by virtue of sharing the court with Booker and Durant so often. If he makes 48 percent of his 3-point attempts, has over 20 points per game and generally is a positive on the offensive end, he could begin to sniff this very high total. The current holder of the record though? Mikal Bridges.
That's right, everybody's favorite former Sun - known much more for his defensive abilities on the way to the 2021 NBA Finals - was posting the best offensive rating in the history of the organization. Again context is important, and playing alongside Booker, Chris Paul and even Deandre Ayton played a massive part.
But by that same logic, one of the Suns' trio of current stars could do the same thing this season. Head coach Mike Budenholzer is going to put together an offensive scheme that tries to blow opponents away, and outscoring other teams is how they're going to try and win games. Don't be surprised if this record falls, but it is who may take it that could shock fans.
1. Assists per game
Ok stick with us now on this one, because a lot would have to go right for this to happen. That being said, it is not impossible. It might surprise you, but Kevin Johnson is the currently holder of this record - not Steve Nash - with his absurd 12.2 dimes per game back in 1988-89 the best in franchise history.
If Nash couldn't break this - he's got five of the top 10 and his best effort was good for second at 11.6 - then there's no way anybody else could do this. Right? Enter Tyus Jones. No seriously. Jones just put up over eight assists per game while starting for the Washington Wizards last season.
Woj the 🐐🫡🤣 https://t.co/fyWnVDx7AG
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) September 19, 2024
Can you even imagine how dangerous he could be teeing up Booker, Durant and Beal? It goes deeper than that though, because Grayson Allen led the league in 3-point shooting percentage last season at 46.1 percent (another reason Hodges record will never be broken). Jones will have never had so many teammates who can make all manner of shots.
More than that though, Jones knows he is only in The Valley to set everybody else up. If he could manage 10 points per game that would be great, but having more assists than points each night is probably what the front office signed him for. This is extremely difficult to achieve, but it would be amazing to see happen.