The Phoenix Suns return to Emirates NBA Cup action against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, and once that game is finished, they'll face a massive week. Matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers (still missing you, Toumani Camara) loom, and in that Warriors game, Devin Booker cannot bail his team out to the tune of 43 points once again. It would be disastrous for their hopes of being relevant this season. He should look to be more of a passer.
Suns are better than Warriors and have to prove it as a group
That 131-122 victory against a Warriors roster missing Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis remains their only win of the season so far, and the fact that it took a 15-of-18 performance from the field from Booker is nowhere near good enough if the Suns want to win a playoff series this season. Which owner Mat Ishbia has already established as the goal.
The Suns continue to force Booker to play in the backcourt with other shooting guards such as Jalen Green, who are more comfortable scoring. Fine, let Green carry the offense for large stretches of the game while Booker looks to set up his teammates. If they cannot beat a Warriors roster that somehow has more question marks hanging over it than their own, this is going to be a long season.
Booker's 5.3 assists per game is right in line with his career average, but for one night only, if he could double that output while others step up, it would do wonders for the confidence of this group. Miles Bridges was added with the intention of being able to chip in with 20 points on any given night; that will be the matchup to do just that.
Suns need defense to carry them to much needed victory
The Suns have the worst defensive rating in the league so far this season, and the 41-point beatdown at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers on opening night is a large part of the reason why. Holding the Warriors to under 100 points while grinding out a win and having others step up would do wonders for the vibes in The Valley.
With another meeting with the Trail Blazers to follow, and that could again be ugly, as they look like the fun and vibrant upstart that the Suns were themselves last season, getting wins and boosting confidence is what the Suns need. Another 40-piece from Booker would be cool to watch and would be gratefully accepted, but it would only serve to paper over the large cracks that have already formed.
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