Phoenix Suns stats to keep an eye on with Bradley Beal's return
By Matt Escobar
3. Attacking the paint
Another area that Beal can help the Suns with is their points in the paint number. They are currently averaging 47 points in the paint per game, which ranks 21st in the NBA. One of the downsides of having a roster of role players who specialize from deep is that they’re not as comfortable driving, and this number is an indicator of that.
Furthermore, Jusuf Nurkić isn’t a scoring force on the inside, as he’s been terrible around the rim this year. All that equates to a team that is putting very little pressure on the rim, and is missing out on some of the most efficient shots in the game.
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Beal, like Booker and Durant, is a three-level scorer. And while he likes to operate in the mid range more than anywhere else, he also puts a ton of pressure on the rim, as evidenced by his free throw attempts in his all-star seasons. Durant has taken it upon himself to attack the basket more than he has in years past, and Beal should do the same.
Beal's return can have a domino effect in helping fix these problems the Suns are having. Making the Suns a better fast break team will raise their points in the paint number. Attacking the rim in the half-court will also raise it, while creating more open looks from three. If Beal is healthy, all he has to do is play his game and everything will fall into place.