Recapping the Suns Road-Trip

As I predicted in this piece earlier this month, the Suns had a positive road-trip finishing 3-2. Devin Booker made his case for his first All-Star appearance, new-comer Kelly Oubre hit big shots, and the rookies looked more comfortable heading into the second quarter of the season.

Carrying over the momentum they established at home, the Suns were able to take care of business against a depleted New York Knicks team missing a few of there key players.

In that game, that Suns continued to do what has worked for them, playing high intensity defense and running out in transition every opportunity they got. The insertion of Melton into the starting lineup and the impact of Bridges on the defensive end has continued to show.

The young Suns were running any chance they got, looking to get as many easy buckets in transition as possible. This connection from Melton to Ayton illustrates what Suns basketball should be the rest of the season.

The overall play of Deandre Ayton during the road-trip was also a great sign for Suns fans. Ayton has shown flashes of talent but putting it all together consistently for an entire game had been a problem.

“You’re seeing him put games together. Not just games, but quarters together. He’s doing it every single night. That’s a sign of going from good to great.” Suns veteran guard Jamal Crawford said about Ayton.

What also showed during the road-trip was the importance of TJ Warren to the Suns and his amazing transformation into a three point shooter this season. This is an action the Suns run out of their “Chin” series, the call here is “Chin 45”.

The regular “45” action is a key component of the Suns offense. As I illustrated in this piece it is important to have a play-making 4 in the Kokoskov offense. Warren is a perfect fit in the system.

Heading into the Boston game the Suns were looking to get revenge for their overtime loss earlier this season where they let a huge lead evaporate. The Suns also welcomed the newest member to their squad, Kelly Oubre. With limited practice time in between, Kokoskov had to cut the playbook for Oubre. This was his first bucket coming off a basic curl.

With Oubre the Suns should be able to utilize him as a 4 within the system. As I pointed out earlier, the Suns run a lot of actions that depend on the ability of the 4 to attack and create for others. The Wizards did use Oubre in a similar manner at times as well, this “Horns Flare” action Brooks ran for Oubre is a great example.

Oubre has hit some big shots for the Suns already, with the attention Booker is going to get to close games, Oubre needs to step up.

Defensively, Oubre fits in perfectly with that what the Suns are trying to create at the wing position.

Oubre – Bridges – Jackson should be one of the best defensive trios this season, and they are fun to watch.

Heading into Washington the Suns were on the first four-game winning streak in Devin Booker’s career. With Wizards star guard John Wall, the Suns were expected to extend the winning streak but let one slip at the end.

“Down the stretch, me, myself, personally, I was very poor” Booker said of his performance in a heart-breaking three overtime loss in which he played a season-high 55 minutes.

With a back-to-back the following day in Brooklyn the Suns looked gassed but still showed some fight to start the game. Although the Suns came out with a loss I was impressed with their energy and effort to start the game.

I think that new found sense of belief carried over to the Suns final game of the road-trip against the Orlando Magic where they came back from sluggish slow start to escape with an overtime win. Deandre Ayton capped off his impressive road-trip with key defensive plays down the stretch.

Devin Booker had one of his best performances of the season looking like the All-Star player he aspires to be. This was an absurd finish he had at the end of regulation.

Overall, the Suns had a positive road-trip the execution at times could have been better all-around but they seem to have found the right formula to at least finish the rest of the season around .500 if everyone stays healthy.

The Suns have a tough home stretch coming up starting with the Thunder and the Nuggets and then play the Warriors and Sixers. I think the Suns can split the first four and finish 2-2.

 

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.