Up until a couple of weeks ago, the Phoenix Suns were among the biggest laughing stocks in the league. It’s a well-deserved reputation as they have become a pit where talent goes to fade out and die.
Too harsh? The Suns haven’t been to the playoffs since 2010 because all they’ve showcased after that toed mediocrity and straight awfulness, whether it’s on-court play, ownership, front office decisions, or coaching.
Well, what a difference two weeks make. Although it’s tough that the playoff drought will continue, the future is definitely looking bright for Phoenix, and that’s a refreshing thought for the franchise.
The Suns’ unheralded squad marched unto Disney and owned the place like no other team did. They breezed through the bubble to become the only team to go 8-0 in the seeding games, complete with dominating performances, heart-stopping clutch shots, and all-around team effort on both ends.
Let’s look into the factors that helped shape the Suns’ turnaround:
Devin Booker
Devin Booker’s overall makeup is a prototypical scorer that you once created in a video game, or once envisioned while alone in a basketball court.
He’s a scoring machine whose deadly mid-range game becomes deadlier since he’s able to shoot anywhere and comfortable to hoist it up off of any angle. Strength is also solid as he’s strong enough to drive and absorb contact before a shot.
Check out the great foot work too, especially when he’s creating separation for stepback jumpers:
Considering he came out of Kentucky as a spot-up shooter, it’s great to see Booker’s full transformation into an elite versatile scorer. What makes it even more exciting is he’s still only 23 years old, and he won’t enter his prime for at least a few more seasons.
D-Book’s 2019-20 season averages have ended up at 26.6 points and 6.5 assists per game. It was the second time he has recorded 26-plus points and six-plus assists per contest in a season, and that grouped him in elite company – only Oscar Robertson and LeBron James have achieved such a feat.
Deandre Ayton and Ricky Rubio
It looked suspect for the first 60-plus games, but it has evolved into something better. Towering big man Deandre Ayton and veteran floor general Ricky Rubio have formed an unofficial tandem, one that suddenly combined as a great complimentary piece for Booker.
In the bubble, gone were the usual scenario of Booker being left to do the heavy-lifting. Everything has clicked into how it was planned before the season – Ayton is the roll man and inside presence that helps alleviate attention, while Rubio is a facilitator that helps direct the offense and put the All-Star guard into better scoring position.
The 3 and D wings – Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson
The unexpected progression of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are the biggest x-factors for the Suns’ rise from obscurity. They have gone from being the afterthoughts of an afterthought team to arguably being the most intriguing young 3 and D players in the NBA.
Bridges has welcomed his place as a role player, where he’s tasked to wait for kickouts and cut inside when he needs to, far his feature role in Villanova.
Defensively, he risen to leading the Suns in defensive win shares, and could possibly be the league’s next top wing defender, thanks also in good part to his 7’2 wingspan. Recently, he took on the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Luka Doncic, and TJ Warren, and did well for such a raw player.
With his help, the Suns were the first to slow Warren’s bubble rampage. They held him to 16 points on 7-for-20 shooting after firing off 53, 34, and 32 points in his previous three.
Cam Johnson, on the other hand, is suddenly turning the tables on analysts everywhere. His selection as the 11th pick in last year’s draft was heavily panned – the argument was that the Suns unnecessarily reached big time for a 24-year-old draftee that’s coming off a hip injury.
Well, it’s looking a like a really solid decision now. Johnson has spiked up his confidence in the bubble through a series of impactful performances. Like Bridges, he too is fitting into his role nicely. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 threes per game on 50% shooting in eight bubble games. His highlights include notching a double-double against the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers.
It’s exciting to anticipate Bridges and Johnson’s confidence meshing with the Suns’ other key wing, Kelly Oubre Jr., who missed the bubble due to a meniscus tear. The potential 3 and D trio could be a massive headache for defenses across the league.
