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Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges is the key to turning things around

By Jack Simone

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 20: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns is introduced before the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 20: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns is introduced before the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots the ball as he warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers (Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Phoenix Suns are 4-3 on the season, a fairly slow start considering the fact that they are coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals. One factor which has attributed to their slow start is the struggles of Devin Booker.

Booker is one of the many players who has seemingly been affected by the new NBA rule changes. He’s shooting career-low percentages from both the field and from three-point range.

Players league-wide have been struggling to adapt to the new rule changes. However, there’s one player on the Phoenix Suns who is having the best year of his young career.

Getting Mikal Bridges more shots could turn things around for the Phoenix Suns

Mikal Bridges is averaging career-high marks in points, field-goal percentage, and three-point percentage. He’s the team’s second-leading scorer and is shooting the lights out of the ball.

The Villanova product is taking 7.7 threes per game, which is by far the most he has ever attempted. In fact, the Suns might be better off if he starts taking more shots.

He’s shooting 44.8 percent on catch-and-shoot threes this season (4.1 attempts). Running some more plays for him to get easy looks from deep could easily result in more production for the Phoenix Suns.

Bridges has also been elite as a cutter for Phoenix this season. Despite only taking 1.4 shots per game off of cuts, he’s shooting 80 percent. That’s top ten in the league among those who attempt at least one per game.

In addition, Bridges is finding a ton of success in spot-up situations. He’s scoring 5.4 points on 4.6 attempts per game and shooting 43.8 percent. Bridges is top-15 in the NBA for spot-up points per game.

He’s finding ways to be effective all over the court, and it begs the question, should he be getting more shots? Booker is still obviously the best player on the team, but he’s not playing like it right now.

This isn’t to say that Bridges should overtake Booker in shots per game on the team, but the gap is pretty huge right now. Booker is attempting 19.9 shots and Bridges is taking only 11.9.

Facilitating some of those looks to Bridges could lead to a more effective offense for the Phoenix Suns. They are in the bottom half of the league in offensive rating and rank 20th in three-point percentage.

A little change in the game plan could be just what the Phoenix Suns need to get back on track. Maybe that change should be to get Mikal Bridges some more shots.

Next. Grading the Suns' moves in NBA free agency. dark

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