Phoenix Suns: 3 goals for Trevor Ariza in 2018-19
By Luke Swiatek
3. Shoot 3s consistently
Trevor Ariza does two things well: play defense, and hit open 3s. That’s why he’s getting paid $15 million this year.
No one would doubt that he’s a good shooter. During his most recent four-year stint with the Houston Rockets, he’s shot 35.7 percent from 3-point range on 6.7 attempts per game. For comparison, Devin Booker is a career 36.5 percent shooter on 5.2 attempts a game.
However, there’s a difference between good and being consistent. A consistent shooter would not perform as Ariza did in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last year. For anyone who has forgotten, Ariza went 0-for-9 from deep, 0-for-12 from the field, scored zero points and had a team-worst plus/minus of -15.
Ariza will not be asked to carry the offense in Phoenix; his role will be the same as it was in Houston. However, the Suns will be depending on him to hit open shots, because consistent role players are what young stars need around them.
It’s a matter of trust: If Booker sees Ariza in the corner, he needs to know that the vet will knock down the shot. Ariza needs to prove that he can be not just good, but consistent too.