After a very sluggish 7-12 start to the season that frustrated fans, players and team personnel alike, the coaching staff knew they had to take a closer look at their depth chart and strategy. Despite keeping the core intact on a team that went 50-32 and made the second round in the 2015-16 season, the ugly start had several GMs publicly doubting that the Suns would be able to make the playoffs with one Western GM stating “Barring injuries, unless the Lakers or Suns turn it around quickly, we’re safely in a playoff spot for sure”.
Suns Rebound
A career year from Bledsoe is a big reason the for the Suns success this year
Big changes happened to the lineup, which saw Len demoted from starting C to the second unit, Austin moved from PF to C, and Turner promoted to the starting PF. Len was seriously underachieving and Turner was playing some inspired basketball. Turner obviously wasn’t going to start over a healthy Wiggins, who is a budding superstar that has continued to improve since being drafted. However, with Turner’s good size and rebounding ability, the team decided to try small ball after some discussions with Chicago’s GM Marcos Beck. The results speak for themselves, as they’ve gone 38-17 since (a 69.1% winning percentage).Impending Showdown with the T-Wolves
The Suns have had to battle their way up the standings bit-by-bit all season to make up for the dreadful start, but they currently find themselves with the 4th best record in the West. The Wolves hold the 4th seed due to division winner rules, seemingly setting up a repeat of last year’s 1st round matchup against the 5th seeded Suns. However, the Suns have a 2.5 game cushion lead for home court advantage.
Seemingly Angry DDS Gods Smite Austin and Turner
A young Suns fan reacts to the news that Austin broke his elbow
In a run of bad luck, the Suns have seen 2 starters go down with broken bones this week, thus putting their season in serious jeopardy. Isaiah Austin, whom the team considers their second most important player behind Bledsoe, suffered a broken elbow against the Nets and is expected to be out through at least the 1st round matchup with the Wolves. The Suns will surely miss his efficient scoring and defensive abilities. Just 5 days later, fellow front-court starter Evan Turner went down with a broken Toe against the Pelicans and has already been ruled out for the entire season. Yikes.It’s really unfortunate given the timing of these injuries, right before the playoffs. We’ve been monitoring their minutes all year to make sure they don’t wear down, but there’s nothing you can do about freak injuries. That’s just the way it goes sometimes, but we can’t feel bad for ourselves. A lot of other teams are dealing with serious injuries. We’ve still got a lot of talent, and there’s a lot of fight in this team. We’re just going to need some of our players to step it up a notch. Don’t count us out just yet.
- Phoenix Suns' GM GreenBear
Leading the way for the Suns into the playoffs is none other than Eric Bledsoe, in the midst of a sensational year. Helping him out immensely is fellow back-court member Delon Wright. They’re the Suns’ leading scorers, combining for 36.3 points and each are shooting over 50% from the field (Harden is the only other guard shooting over 50%). Bledsoe’s defensive abilities are already well-known as a reigning all defensive 1st team member, but expect both he and Wright to take on even bigger roles offensively. As for the front-court: Len, Bobby Portis and Brandon Wright are going to see expanded minutes the rest of the way.
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