Phoenix Suns: 5 areas in need of major improvement early on
4. Staying healthy
A bit obvious, but the Suns’ 1-7 start needs to be put in its proper context.
It’s alarming that except for the season opener and Friday’s game, garbage time arrived by the second quarter. Losing seven straight games, six of which were complete routs, is concerning. And yes, it’s very concerning how uncompetitive this team looks whenever Devin Booker is sidelined.
However, Phoenix was also playing without its best player for three of those ugly blowouts, which is a double whammy since he’s not only their go-to scorer, but hands down their best playmaker as well. It’s also worth noting the Suns have had a brutal schedule since opening night:
- A Denver Nuggets dark horse contender on the road
- The mighty Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena
- A desperate Los Angeles Lakers team looking for a win under LeBron James
- A healthy Memphis Grizzlies team (without Booker)
- An improving Oklahoma City Thunder side (without Booker)
- A disciplined and undying San Antonio Spurs team (without Booker)
- Perhaps the best team in the East in the Toronto Raptors
Booker may have only missed three of those seven losses, but Isaiah Canaan missed two games too, reducing an already pencil-thin point guard rotation to Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton. After Booker was sidelined for the preseason, every game or practice missed prevents this team from developing chemistry.
"“The problem with Book is we couldn’t replace him,” Kokoskov admitted."
Book struggled in his return, finishing with 18 points, six assists and four rebounds on 8-of-20 shooting. He was tired and looked like he was less than 100 percent in the second half, still being slightly hampered by the hamstring.
"“It felt good,” he said after the game. “Obviously I wouldn’t have played if it didn’t. I could still feel a little something, but it’s something that you have to play through it.”"
Hamstring injuries aren’t something to play around with, but the Suns are completely helpless without him on the floor. Phoenix has to toe the line between keeping its star healthy, but also riding him like it has to in order to stay competitive.
"“He’s a go-to guy, he’s our best player,” Kokoskov said. “No question about it. But as a coach, you always ask for more. He’s got a lot of responsibility in his job description. “From guarding important players and executing on the defensive end — a couple times he was on Kawhi [Leonard], so the cross-match doesn’t matter, you’re guarding Kawhi, so we never hide him defensively — to offensively, he’s got to score for us, make 3s, playmake and all of the stuff. So he’s gotta be in shape to play all these minutes, because they’re coming and we need a lot from him.”"