DENVER – Protection. Turnovers.
Accidents. One thing else.
What’s the largest drawback with the Phoenix Suns (14-13), who’re 6-12 of their final 18 video games after a blistering 8-1 begin to the 2024-25 season below new coach Mike Budenholzer?
Arizona Republic Phoenix Suns insider Duane Rankin tweeted a ballot on season.
The Suns are 8-3 with their Large 3 within the lineup, however that is lower than half the video games they’ve performed. They are going to be with out Grayson Allen (concussion protocol), Bol Bol (left knee contusion) and Booker (left groin soreness) for Monday’s recreation towards the Denver Nuggets at Ball Enviornment.
As of Monday morning, simply over 44 p.c of respondents cited protection as an important situation, adopted by accidents (22.6 p.c), turnovers (19.7 p.c) or one thing else (13.4 p.c). ). Greater than 1,000 votes have been forged.
The most important drawback with the Phoenix Suns, who’re 6-12 since an 8-1 begin?
Face the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Ball Enviornment. Solar 11 within the West. #Suns #NBA
– Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 22, 2024
The Suns misplaced their final two video games towards sub-500 groups Indiana and Detroit, totaling 253 factors on 49.4% capturing. They’re eleventh within the West, however simply 1½ video games behind fifth-place Denver and the sixth-place Los Angeles Lakers.
Listed below are some feedback from sad individuals on X concerning the Suns.
“On the finish of the day…this crew has no guts and no coronary heart. Kudos to (Suns crew proprietor Mat Ishbia) for swinging for the fences, however the roster has too many flaws.
“Begins with protection then turnovers, however all season lengthy it’s protection.”
“The Suns are spoiled. There comes a time when cash spoils a crew.
“Protection and TO, this crew cannot compete with younger, large, athletic groups.”
Phoenix is 24 years previousth in defensive ranking, however even worse at 27th throughout this sequence from 6 to 12.
The Suns are 21 years previousst in factors allowed at 115.1 whereas groups are capturing 37.3% on 3s towards them. They’re 26th whereas defending the three.
Behind the numbers, the Suns have struggled to maintain groups away and have not closed out 3s effectively sufficient.
Phoenix is really ninth within the NBA in fewest turnovers per recreation (14.4), however that has doomed the Suns of their final two video games. They turned the ball over 16 occasions towards the Pacers, which led to 29 Indiana factors, and coughed it up 19 occasions towards the Pistons, who scored 34 factors on them.
Durant dedicated 5 turnovers towards Indiana and eight towards Detroit.
Behind the numbers, Phoenix continues to have the identical issues it did a season in the past below Frank Vogel. There’s a lack of chemistry by way of accidents, but in addition a combination between forcing passes, being reckless and committing offensive fouls on screens which account for a part of the turnover.
Accidents have clearly been an issue. Durant and Beal solely performed in 17 video games every because the Suns had 13 completely different beginning lineups. A part of that is because of inconsistency in rotations, however the Suns have gotten constant play on the fifth place with Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro.
Do you may have any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text was initially revealed on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns Followers Sad With Ballot About Group’s Greatest Issues
