PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are 9-6, virtually 20% into the season, after a troublesome week marked by severe accidents to 2 star gamers.
Regardless of the 1-4 streak, the staff remains to be thought-about a possible contender — at the very least based on an ESPN roundtable that addressed probably the most essential questions concerning a number of the NBA’s greatest groups.
The Suns’ greatest query wasn’t completely stunning, nevertheless it must be mentioned.
Extra from Tim MacMahon on this significantly urgent challenge beneath:
It is unrealistic to count on the Suns to keep up their sturdy begin whereas Kevin Durant is sidelined with a calf pressure, particularly if Bradley Beal additionally misses video games. The Suns’ prime precedence must be determining the best way to place themselves to be in prime form for a deep playoff run. Which means managing Durant’s minutes when he returns. A 36-year-old with an in depth harm historical past can not fairly play a mean of 38.8 minutes per recreation, as Durant did throughout the Suns’ 8-1 begin – together with a 7-0 file within the decisive matches (when the rating was inside 5 factors). with lower than 5 minutes to play). The emergence of rookie Ryan Dunn and the presence of Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale give the Suns some high quality depth up entrance. They should take a less-is-more method with Durant the remainder of the common season — even on the expense of a win right here or there — to have any hope of him beginning no later than spring.
– MacMahon on the Suns’ greatest query
The best reality amongst what has been argued is that Durant taking part in practically 39 minutes per recreation is solely not sustainable.
Sure, Durant performed 75 video games final season, however that appears to be extra of an outlier – having already missed 6 and shortly to be 7 video games thus far.
The converse level is that Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and even Josh Okogie have all proven themselves able to contributing within the context of a completely cohesive staff. This could assist take a number of the burden off Durant – and Budenholzer will doubtless be proactive sufficient to acknowledge that.
The Suns ought to prioritize profitable sufficient video games to keep away from play-in, however it seems that going all-in to catch the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for first place within the West appears to be a bit impractical and overly bold.
At this level, crucial factor is to maintain the star trio as wholesome as attainable, permitting all three gamers to be out there and attain their peak as gamers in April versus December.
The Suns roster is sweet sufficient to make the playoffs. The offensive system is totally sustainable. Questions surrounding the frontcourt might be answered if Mason Plumlee continues to play nicely and Oso Ighodaro’s accelerated improvement is professional.
The Suns are a lot nearer to profitable a first-ever NBA title than most people want to admit – now could be the time to make it occur.
